Haemobartonella felis is seen most commonly in the erythrocytes of:

Haemobartonella felis is seen most commonly in the erythrocytes of:

• A. Cats
• B. Horses
• C. Dogs
• D. Cattle

Answer: (C)

This question tests which species is most commonly affected by a red-blood-cell–attached parasite. Haemobartonella felis is a hemotropic mycoplasma that binds to the surface of erythrocytes. It is most classically seen in cats, where it causes feline infectious anemia; on stained blood smears you’ll typically find small, rod- or ring-shaped organisms attached to the periphery of red blood cells. This attachment leads to hemolysis and anemia, particularly in cats that are stressed or immunocompromised. Related organisms exist in other species, but Haemobartonella felis is most commonly described in cats.

This question tests which species is most commonly affected by a red-blood-cell–attached parasite. Haemobartonella felis is a hemotropic mycoplasma that binds to the surface of erythrocytes. It is most classically seen in cats, where it causes feline infectious anemia; on stained blood smears you’ll typically find small, rod- or ring-shaped organisms attached to the periphery of red blood cells. This attachment leads to hemolysis and anemia, particularly in cats that are stressed or immunocompromised. Related organisms exist in other species, but Haemobartonella felis is most commonly described in cats.