Abstract
Three hemoplasma species are recognized in domestic cats: Mycoplasma haemofelis, 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum' and 'Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis'. We report the prevalence and hematological abnormalities of hemoplasma infection in 369 domestic cats from three different populations (blood donors, hospitalized cats and shelter cats) from Southern Brazil. Complete blood counts were performed at the time of blood collection, and DNA was extracted and tested by conventional PCR for each hemoplasma species. A total of 79 samples (21.40%) were positive for at least one species. The most prevalent hemoplasma was 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum', with 50/369 (13.55%) positive cats, followed by 'Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis', 10/369 (2.71%), and Mycoplasma haemofelis, 8/369 (2.16%). Mycoplasma haemofelis and 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum' coinfection was observed in 4/369 (1.08%), whereas 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum' and 'Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis' in 5/369 (1.35%). Three cats (0.81%) were infected with all three hemoplasmas. There was no association between infection and the different populations. Anemia was associated with Mycoplasma haemofelis and 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum', but not with 'Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis'. Male cats and cats with outdoor access were more likely to be infected. Although 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum' is believed to cause minimal or no hematological alterations, the infected cats studied herein were more likely to be anemic.
Highlights
Hemotropic mycoplasmas are pleomorphic obligate red blood cell parasites that infect a wide range of vertebrates (MESSICK, 2004)
Three hemoplasma species are recognized in domestic cats: Mycoplasma haemofelis, ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum’ and ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis’
polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification products of the predicted sizes were obtained for Mhf (393 bp), CMhm (192 bp) and Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis’ (CMtc) (488 bp) in 18/369, 50/369, and 10/369 of samples, respectively
Summary
Hemotropic mycoplasmas (hemoplasmas) are pleomorphic obligate red blood cell parasites that infect a wide range of vertebrates (MESSICK, 2004). Phylogenetic analyses of their 16S rRNA gene sequences have shown them to be most closely related to Mycoplasma species (RIKIHISA et al, 1997; NEIMARK et al, 2001; MESSICK et al, 2002; NEIMARK et al, 2004; NEIMARK et al, 2005). They have been transferred to the Mycoplasmataceae family, where they form a unique clade of red blood cell bacteria within the Mycoplasma genus. All have been detected in Brazilian domestic cats by molecular methods (GUIMARÃES et al, 2005; de MORAIS et al, 2007; MACIEIRA et al, 2008; SANTOS et al, 2009; de BORTOLI et al, 2012)
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