Hemotropic mycoplasmas in naturally infected cats in Northeastern Brazil / Micoplasmas hemotróficos em gatos naturalmente infectados no Nordeste do Brasil

Abstract This study aimed to determine the prevalence, factors associated, laboratory findings (with and without coinfection by retroviruses) among naturally infected cats by hemoplasmas in northeastern Brazil. For convenience, 200 domesticated and healthy cats were selected. Blood samples were taken to perform complete blood counts, serum biochemical, immunochromatography tests and nPCR for FIV and FeLV, and PCR for hemoplasma recognition. An interview was conducted to determine the factors associated with hemoplasmas. A total of 71/200 (35.5%) cats were positive for at least one hemoplasma species. Isolated infections were observed in 12,5% for 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum', 12% for Mycoplasma haemofelis and 3% for 'Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis'. Regarding copositivity, 2% of the animals were positive for M. haemofelis and 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum', 1.5% for M. haemofelis and 'Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis', and 4.5% for ' Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum' and 'Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis'. No clinical and laboratory changes were observed in the animals that were concomitantly positive for retroviruses and hemoplasmas. Periurban region cats were more likely to be infected by M. haemofelis, while contact with other cats and infection by ' Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis' were associated with 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum'. This study indicates that infection by hemoplasmas is a common find in cats from northeastern Brazil.

Resumo Objetivou-se com este estudo determinar a prevalência, fatores associados, achados laboratoriais (com e sem coinfecção com retrovírus) em gatos naturalmente infectados por hemoplasmas no Nordeste do Brasil. Selecionou-se, por conveniência, 200 gatos domiciliados, hígidos, sendo colhidas amostras de sangue para realização do hemograma, bioquímica sérica, imunocromatografia e nested-PCR para FIV e FeLV, e PCR para identificação dos hemoplasmas. Uma entrevista foi realizada para determinação dos fatores associados aos hemoplasmas. A frequência de positividade foi de 35,5% (71/200). Infecções isoladas foram observadas em 12,5% dos animais para 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum', 12% para Mycoplasma haemofelis e 3% para 'Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis'. Quanto a co-positividades, 2% dos animais foram positivos para M. haemofelis e 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum', 1,5% foram positivos para M. haemofelis e 'Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis', e 4,5% foram positivos para 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum' e 'Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis'. Não foram observadas alterações clínicas ou laboratoriais nos animais positivos para retrovírus e hemoplasmas, concomitantemente. A região periurbana foi identificada como fator de risco associado a M. haemofelis. Enquanto o contato com outros gatos e a infecção por 'Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis' foi associado à 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum'. Este estudo indica que a presença dos agentes da micoplasmose hemotrópica felina é comum no Nordeste brasileiro.

Molecular detection of hemoplasma infection among cats from São Luís island, Maranhão, Brazil

Hemoplasmas are bacteria that infect erythrocytes, attaching to the red blood cell. There is a need for more reports of hemoplasma infection prevalence and molecular characterization among cats in Brazil since there are only few published reports. The present work aimed to detect and molecularly characterize the presence of hemotrophic mycoplasmas in domestic cats with outdoor access from São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil. Twenty cats (10%) were positive for Candidatus M. haemominutum, five (2.5%) for M. haemofelis, and four (2.%) for M. turicensis based on 16S rRNA gene PCRs. Five cats (2.5%) were co-positive for Candidatus M. haemominutum and M. haemofelis. PCR diagnosis was confirmed by sequencing; and phylogenetic analysis was based on 16S rRNA and rnpb genes.