Abstract
Background and Aim:Stray cats are a reservoir for various zoonotic diseases relevant to public health in Thailand. The vector-borne infection, hemoplasmosis, also known as infectious anemia, is one such disease carried by domestic and wild felids. This study focuses on molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of hemoplasma in semi-domesticated cats in Bangkok, Thailand.Materials and Methods:In total, 473 blood samples were collected from 53 temple communities in 34 metropolitan districts and assayed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify partial 16S rRNA genes for hemoplasma detection. Risk factors for hemoplasma infection (gender, age, free-roaming, and ectoparasite exposure) were analyzed using Chi-square tests, logistic regression, and odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) using R software (version 3.6.1). A phylogenetic tree was established from genetic characterization of hemoplasmas.Results:In total, 180 samples (38.05%) were positive for hemoplasma. Of half of the positive sequenced samples, 83.33% were infected with Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum (CMhm), 13.33% with Mycoplasma haemofelis (Mhf), and 3.33% with Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis (CMt). Cats over 5 years old were more likely to be infected than younger cats (p<0.005, OR=3.8, 95% CI=1.64-4.78). Cats were diagnosed as positive based on PCR assays in 97% (33/34) of districts surveyed. The phylogenetic tree showed two majority clusters with three clades of feline hemotropic mycoplasma.Conclusions:Overall, the survey shows the prevalence (38.05%) and distribution of feline hemoplasma in semi-domesticated cats. This information will contribute to effective prevention and control strategies to minimize infections by feline vector-borne pathogens in Thailand.
Highlights
Hemotropic mycoplasmas are parasitic bacteria without cell walls
Of half of the positive sequenced samples, 83.33% were infected with Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum (CMhm), 13.33% with Mycoplasma haemofelis (Mhf), and 3.33% with Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis (CMt)
Cats over 5 years old were more likely to be infected than younger cats (p
Summary
Hemotropic mycoplasmas ( known as hemoplasmas) are parasitic bacteria without cell walls. These organisms are related to mollicutes and are unculturable. A recent study from Chile suggests that cats may be infected with the canine hemoplasmas-like organism, Candidatus Mycoplasma hematoparvum [3]. These species may be important primary causes of hemolytic anemia in felids with distinct pathogenicity [1,4]; Copyright: Do, et al Open Access. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/ publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated. This study focuses on molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of hemoplasma in semi-domesticated cats in Bangkok, Thailand
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