Specific in situ hybridization of Haemobartonella felis with a DNA probe and tyramide signal amplification

Vet Pathol. 2000 Jan;37(1):47-53. doi: 10.1354/vp.37-1-47.

Abstract

Haemobartonella felis is an epierythrocytic bacterium suspected to be the causative agent of feline infectious anemia. Previous studies with a polymerase chain reaction assay have identified a mycoplasmal 16S rRNA gene sequence that coincides with clinical disease and the presence of organisms in the blood. Tissues from a cat experimentally infected with H. felis were used for in situ hybridization studies to physically link this 16S rRNA gene to the organisms on the red cells. A biotin-labeled probe was used in conjunction with tyramide signal amplification to visualize the hybridization signal. This study clearly demonstrates a specific hybridization signal on the red cells in the tissues of the H. felis-infected cat. This in situ hybridization study is the final step in fulfilling the molecular guidelines for disease causation and proves that H. felis, a mycoplasmal organism, is the causative agent of feline infectious anemia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anaplasmataceae / chemistry
  • Anaplasmataceae / genetics*
  • Anaplasmataceae Infections / diagnosis
  • Anaplasmataceae Infections / microbiology
  • Anaplasmataceae Infections / veterinary*
  • Anemia / diagnosis
  • Anemia / microbiology
  • Anemia / veterinary*
  • Animals
  • Bacteremia / veterinary
  • Biotin / analogs & derivatives
  • Biotin / chemistry
  • Cat Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Cat Diseases / microbiology
  • Cats
  • Colorimetry / veterinary
  • DNA Probes
  • In Situ Hybridization / methods
  • In Situ Hybridization / veterinary*
  • Kidney / microbiology
  • Kidney / pathology
  • Liver / microbiology
  • Liver / pathology
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
  • RNA, Bacterial / chemistry
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / chemistry
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Tyramine / analogs & derivatives
  • Tyramine / chemistry

Substances

  • DNA Probes
  • RNA, Bacterial
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
  • biotinyltyramide
  • Biotin
  • Tyramine