Distribution and risk factors of canine haemotropic mycoplasmas in hunting dogs from southern Italy

Cortese, Laura; Beall, Melissa J.; Buono, Francesco; Buch, Jesse; Pacifico, Laura; Neola, Benedetto; Palatucci, Anna Teresa; Tyrrell, Phyllis; Fioretti, Alessandro; Breitschwerdt, Edward B.; Veneziano, Vincenzo; Chandrashekar, Ramaswamy; Piantedosi, Diego

doi:10.1016/j.vetmic.2020.108910

Cited by 6 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…Previous studies already reported hemoplasmas in foxes and/or dogs in locations where R. sanguineus species is rare or absent [ 11 , 46 , 50 ]. This contrasts with other studies that associated the presence of Mhc with R. sanguineus species [ 48 , 51 ]. Altogether, there is growing evidence that canine hemotropic mycoplasmas are not only transmitted by ticks, and that alternative or concurrent transmission routes must exist.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

“…In relation to this, the higher prevalence observed (both for Mhc and C Mhp) in male dogs strongly suggests that aggressive interactions may be involved in the transmission of the bacteria through blood ingestion, as previously proposed [ 52 ]. In addition, the association of C Mhp with adult dogs concurs with other studies [ 48 ], indicating an increased risk of exposure to the pathogen with aging. However, none of the intrinsic factor studied here were related to Mhc or C Mhp infection in the analyzed foxes, that contrast with the higher Mhc prevalence observed in adult Darwin’s foxes [ 11 ].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

“…This is supported by the fact that the two most prevalent hemoplasma ntSTs were shared between dogs and foxes throughout Chile, suggesting that cross-infection between these species is frequent. Contact with wildlife has been revealed as a risk factor for hemoplasma infection in dogs [ 48 ] although this seems not to be the case in this study. A higher Mhc prevalence was observed in foxes from the Mediterranean and TWR regions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 55%

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Widespread Infection with Hemotropic Mycoplasmas in Free-Ranging Dogs and Wild Foxes Across Six Bioclimatic Regions of Chile

et al. 2021

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Blood samples of 626 rural dogs, 140 Andean foxes (Lycalopex culpaeus), and 83 South American grey foxes (L. griseus) from six bioregions of Chile spanning 3000 km were screened for Mycoplasma DNA by conventional PCR and sequencing. Risk factors of infection were inferred using Generalized Linear Mixed Models and genetic structure by network analyses. Overall, Mycoplasma haemocanis/Mycoplasma haemofelis (Mhc/Mhf) and Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum (CMhp) observed prevalence was 23.8% and 12.8% in dogs, 20.1% and 7.2% in Andean foxes, and 26.5% and 8.4% in grey foxes, respectively. Both hemoplasmas were confirmed in all the bioregions, with higher prevalence in those where ticks from the Rhipicephalus sanguineus species group were absent. Candidatus M. haematominutum and a Mycoplasma sp. previously found in South American carnivores were detected in one fox each. Although the most prevalent Mhc/Mhf and CMhp sequence types were shared between dogs and foxes, network analysis revealed genetic structure of Mhc/Mhf between hosts in some regions. Male sex was associated with a higher risk of Mhc/Mhf and CMhp infection in dogs, and adult age with CMhp infection, suggesting that direct transmission is relevant. No risk factor was identified in foxes. Our study provides novel information about canine hemoplasmas with relevance in distribution, transmission routes, and cross-species transmission.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 55%

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Widespread Infection with Hemotropic Mycoplasmas in Free-Ranging Dogs and Wild Foxes Across Six Bioclimatic Regions of Chile

et al. 2021

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“…Unexpectedly, hemoplasmas were the most frequent agent detected in blood of our candidate blood donors, with an overall prevalence of 31.0%. A previous study reported a prevalence of 19.9% of hemoplasma infection, in hunting dogs living in the Campania region (South Italy), without any clinical signs referable to the specific hemoplasma agent detected [ 37 ]. A prevalence of 4.5% has been reported in northern Italy, considering a population of candidate blood donors and free-roaming dogs [ 30 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Looking for Dog Blood Donors in an Endemic Area for Vector-Borne Infections of Central Italy

Antognoni

Vascellari

Rold

et al. 2022

Animals

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Dogs are proved to be competent reservoir hosts for several vector-borne pathogens. Their prevalence varies according to the geographical area. Many vector-borne pathogens may be transmitted by blood transfusion. The purpose of this study was to determine the serological and molecular prevalence of some vector-borne pathogens in dog blood donors, living in central Italy. Blood samples of 126 donors (19 breeds) included were tested for a broad serological and DNA-base tests panel. The differences in pathogen prevalence according to age, sex, and breeds were tested (chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test). Overall, 50 animals (39.7%) tested positive at PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and/or serology (IFAT, indirect fluorescent antibody test) for at least one pathogen. Three dogs were positive at both serology and PCR. A tendency of hemoplasmas to be more prevalent in older dogs (41.2%) compared to the younger ones (25.7%) was noted. We highlight the difficulties of selecting healthy blood donor dogs in an endemic area for vector-borne infections. It is important to choose the serological and biomolecular investigations panel that is most suited to the donor’s environment. Close collaboration between clinician and parasitologists is important in the interpretation of IFAT and PCR results. Finally, we underline the important role of blood donors as an epidemiological tool for active surveillance against canine vector-borne diseases.

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“…Mycoplasma haemocanis infections in dogs in Europe are relatively rare. According to the available literature, they have so far been found in France, Switzerland, Italy, Romania, Greece, Spain, Turkey and Portugal ( 5 , 12 , 53 ). In Poland, two cases of haemotropic mycoplasmosis were described in dogs aged 8 and 11 years, which developed symptoms of apathy and anaemia.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vector-borne diseases imported to Poland between 2021 and 2023

Adaszek,

Staniec,

Dokuzeylül

et al. 2024

Journal of Veterinary Research

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Introduction The aim of the study was to monitor the occurrence of selected vector-borne diseases in anaemic dogs arriving in or returning to Poland from areas endemic for these diseases. Material and Methods The study involved 497 dogs, of which 184 came to Poland from Ukraine with their owners fleeing the war. Other animals returned to the country from holidays spent in Croatia (n = 96), Turkey (n = 79), Italy (n = 48), Bulgaria (n = 42), Albania (n = 36) and Romania (n = 12). Molecular biology methods were used for detection of pathogens transmitted by the vectors. Results Molecular tests revealed the presence of vector-borne pathogens in 79 dogs. The most commonly diagnosed infection was caused by Babesia canis (27 dogs), followed by infections with Anaplasma phagocytophilum (in 20 dogs), Mycoplasma haemocanis (15 dogs), Bartonella henselae (7 dogs), Ehrlichia canis (4 dogs), Hepatozoon canis (3 dogs), Babesia gibsoni (2 dogs) and Leishmania infantum (1 dog). Most of the sick dogs (n = 39) came from Ukraine. In dogs spending holidays with their owners outside Poland, vector-borne diseases were most often detected after their return from Turkey (n = 16), and next in descending order from Croatia (n = 7), Italy (n = 6), Albania (n = 4), Bulgaria (n = 4) and Romania (n = 3). Conclusion The wider migration crisis and increasingly frequent trips of owners with their dogs to areas of endemic infectious and parasitic diseases observed in recent years are the main risk factors for the occurrence of these diseases in Poland. Therefore, constant monitoring of vector-borne diseases, especially in dogs returning from holidays and arriving in Poland from abroad, seems to be crucial for their early detection and introduction of appropriate therapy.

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Distribution and risk factors of canine haemotropic mycoplasmas in hunting dogs from southern Italy

Cited by 6 publications

References 37 publications

Widespread Infection with Hemotropic Mycoplasmas in Free-Ranging Dogs and Wild Foxes Across Six Bioclimatic Regions of Chile

Widespread Infection with Hemotropic Mycoplasmas in Free-Ranging Dogs and Wild Foxes Across Six Bioclimatic Regions of Chile

Looking for Dog Blood Donors in an Endemic Area for Vector-Borne Infections of Central Italy

Vector-borne diseases imported to Poland between 2021 and 2023

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