Hemotropic mycoplasmas in naturally infected cats in Northeastern Brazil

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.

Response to doxycycline and oxytetracycline treatments in cats infected with Mycoplasma spp. and analysis of haemato-clinical findings and risk factors

“…Feline Mycoplasma are small, gram-negative and wall-less epicellular erythrocytic bacteria. These agents are called hemotropic Mycoplasmas and can cause feline infectious anaemia, in which the main clinical manifestation is anaemia (Barker & Tasker, 2013;Rosenqvist et al, 2016;Munhoz et al, 2018). The feline Mycoplasma group consists of four distinct species; Mycoplasma haemofelis (Mhf), Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum (CMhm) and Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis (CMt) (Foley & Pedersen, 2001;Willi et al, 2005;Rosenqvist et al, 2016) and as reported recently Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum-like (CMhp) (Vergara et al, 2016).…”

“…mechanism is not yet fully understood, direct transmission through aggressive interactions or blood transfusion has also been hypothesized as potential infection sources (Díaz-Regañón et al, 2018;Munhoz et al, 2018). Under experimental conditions, cat hemoplasmas have been transmitted by infected blood subcutaneously, intravenously, or intraperitoneally (Museux et al, 2009).…”

“…In the natural environment, transmission between cats is mainly through blood-sucking arthropods. It is likely that the primary vectors are hematophagous arthropods, such as ticks and fleas (Munhoz et al, 2018). As a result of grooming behavior, the cats may be exposed to ticks, fleas and other arthropods, increasing the likelihood of vector-borne infections.…”

“…Mhf leads to severe macrocytic normochromic anaemia and induces acute hemolysis associated with anorexia, lethargy and death (Foley et al, 1998;Westfall et al, 2001). Especially in the acute phase of Mhf infections, massive bacteriemia within the erythrocytes causes severe haemolytic anaemia (Munhoz et al, 2018) Infections with the other Mycoplasma species may cause a drop in erythrocyte parameters, but these cats do not usually become clinically anaemic unless their health is compromised or they are immunosuppressed (Tasker et al, 2009;Vergara et al, 2016).…”

>b<Ecologia, dinâmica populacional e aspectos sanitários de gatos domésticos (>i<Felis catus>/i<) nas áreas adjacentes da unidade de conservação Parque Estadual Carlos Botelho no estado de São Paulo, Brasil>/b<

“…Figura 4 -A) Contenção física de gatos domésticos em sacolas campanha de campo 2016 B) Restrição de felino doméstico para procedimento de pesagem C) Identificação com colocação de microchip subcutâneo na região intra escapular D) Confirmação da marcação dos animais com leitor de microchip. (SANTOS et al, 2014);SANTIS et al, 2014;ANDRÉ et al, 2014;MUNHOZ et al, 2018), Da mesma maneira, o Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum é a espécie de Hemoplasma reportada com maior frequência (FUJIHARA et al, 2007;SANTOS et al, 2014;SANTIS et al, 2014;ANDRÉ et al, 2014;WALKER VERGARA et al, 2016;MUNHOZ et al, 2018 SANTIS, et al, 2014;WALKER VERGARA et al, 2016). Nas áreas rurais o convívio dos gatos com animais de granja ou produção, bem sendo documentada, e alguns fatores de manejo no sistema produtivo e no sistema sanitário, pode-se considerar um fator de risco para á contaminação dos animais, e consequentemente nos seres humanos pelo T.…”