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Arendt M, Stadler J, Ritzmann M, Ade J, Hoelzle K, Hoelzle LE. Hemotrophic Mycoplasmas-Vector Transmission in Livestock. Microorganisms 2024; 12:1278. [PMID: 39065047 PMCID: PMC11279228 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12071278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Hemotrophic mycoplasmas (HMs) are highly host-adapted and specialized pathogens infecting a wide range of mammals including farm animals, i.e., pigs, cattle, sheep, and goats. Although HMs have been known for over 90 years, we still do not know much about the natural transmission routes within herds. Recently, it has been repeatedly discussed in publications that arthropod vectors may play a role in the transmission of HMs from animal to animal. This is mainly since several HM species could be detected in different potential arthropod vectors by PCR. This review summarizes the available literature about the transmission of bovine, porcine, ovine, and caprine HM species by different hematophagous arthropod vectors. Since most studies are only based on the detection of HMs in potential vectors, there are rare data about the actual vector competence of arthropods. Furthermore, there is a need for additional studies to investigate, whether there are biological vectors in which HMs can multiply and be delivered to new hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mareike Arendt
- Department of Livestock Infectiology and Environmental Hygiene, Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, 70593 Stuttgart, Germany; (M.A.); (J.A.); (K.H.)
| | - Julia Stadler
- Clinic for Swine, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 85764 Oberschleissheim, Germany; (J.S.); (M.R.)
| | - Mathias Ritzmann
- Clinic for Swine, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 85764 Oberschleissheim, Germany; (J.S.); (M.R.)
| | - Julia Ade
- Department of Livestock Infectiology and Environmental Hygiene, Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, 70593 Stuttgart, Germany; (M.A.); (J.A.); (K.H.)
| | - Katharina Hoelzle
- Department of Livestock Infectiology and Environmental Hygiene, Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, 70593 Stuttgart, Germany; (M.A.); (J.A.); (K.H.)
| | - Ludwig E. Hoelzle
- Department of Livestock Infectiology and Environmental Hygiene, Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, 70593 Stuttgart, Germany; (M.A.); (J.A.); (K.H.)
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Ade J, Eddicks M, Ritzmann M, Hoelzle K, Hoelzle LE, Stadler J. Haemotrophic Mycoplasmas Infecting Pigs: A Review of the Current Knowledge. Microorganisms 2024; 12:1267. [PMID: 39065036 PMCID: PMC11279051 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12071267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 06/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Haemotrophic mycoplasmas (haemoplasmas) are a group of highly specific and adapted bacteria. Three different haemoplasma species in pigs are known to date: Mycoplasma (M.) suis, M. parvum and 'Candidatus (Ca.) M. haemosuis'. Even though these bacteria have been known in pig farming for a long time, it is difficult to draw general conclusions about the relevance of their infections in pigs. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the three porcine haemoplasma species with regards to clinical and pathological descriptions, pathobiology, epidemiology and diagnostics as well as prevention and therapy. Overall, it is clear that considerably more data are available for M. suis than for the other two species, but generally, porcine haemoplasmas were found to be highly prevalent all over the world. Mycoplasma suis is the most virulent species, causing acute infectious anaemia in pigs (IAP), whereas M. parvum usually results in chronic and subclinical infections associated with performance losses. Little is known about the clinical significance of the recently discovered third porcine species 'Ca. M. haemosuis'. So far, the described pathogenic mechanisms mainly include direct destruction of erythrocytes via adhesion, invasion, eryptosis and nutrient scavenging, indirect erythrocyte lysis due to immune-mediated events and immune dysregulation processes. A review of published diagnostic data confirms PCR assays as the current standard method, with various cross-species and species-specific protocols. Overall, there is a need for further examination to obtain valuable insights for practical application, specifically regarding the importance of subclinical infections in naturally infected animals. An essential requirement for this will be to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms operating between the host and the pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Ade
- Department of Livestock Infectiology and Environmental Hygiene, Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, 70593 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Matthias Eddicks
- Clinic for Swine, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 85764 Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - Mathias Ritzmann
- Clinic for Swine, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 85764 Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - Katharina Hoelzle
- Department of Livestock Infectiology and Environmental Hygiene, Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, 70593 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Ludwig E. Hoelzle
- Department of Livestock Infectiology and Environmental Hygiene, Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, 70593 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Julia Stadler
- Clinic for Swine, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 85764 Oberschleissheim, Germany
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Narapakdeesakul D, Kaewparuehaschai M, Thongsahuan S, Lekcharoen P, Pengsakul T, Pattaradilokrat S, Kaewthamasorn M. Multi-locus sequence analysis of 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haematomacacae' in free-ranging macaques from Thailand suggestive of a closer relationship to hemotropic mycoplasmas in capuchins and potential origin from bats. Acta Trop 2024; 252:107156. [PMID: 38387771 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Although 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haematomacacae' (formerly known as 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemomacaque') has been reported on extensively in macaques from Thailand, the USA, Japan, and Brazil, its genetic characterization has primarily been restricted to the 16S rRNA sequences with no exploration on multi-locus sequence analysis. The primary goal of this study was to characterize 'Ca. M. haematomacacae' among Thai macaques based on multiple genetic markers. Between April 2018 and November 2021, blood samples were taken from 580 free-ranging macaques (560 Macaca fascicularis and 20 Macaca nemestrina) in 15 locations encompassing 10 provinces throughout Thailand. Using the conventional PCR assay targeting the 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) gene, 338 out of 580 macaques (58.27 %) tested hemoplasma-positive. Of these, 40 positive samples were further subjected to DNA sequencing, and all were identified as 'Ca. M. haematomacacae'. Subsequently, the partial nucleotide sequences of 23S ribosomal RNA (23S rRNA) and RNase P RNA (rnpB) genes of this particular hemoplasma species were amplified through nested PCR assay. The analysis of multi-locus genetic markers revealed that the 23S rRNA and rnpB sequences exhibited higher levels of genetic diversity than the 16S rRNA sequences. Furthermore, the 16S rRNA analyses demonstrated that 'Ca. M. haematomacacae' infecting Old World monkeys (Macaca spp.) was most closely related to hemotropic Mycoplasma spp. in black-capped capuchins (Sapajus apella) and Marcgrave's capuchins (Sapajus flavius) from Brazil, as well as establishing a common ancestor clade with hemotropic Mycoplasma spp. from the Neotropical bats in Belize and Peru and an Old World bat in Spain. The 23S rRNA analyses likewise evidenced that 'Ca. M. haematomacacae' formed a sister clade with hemotropic Mycoplasma spp. in Neotropical bats from Belize and Panama. Thus, the present findings, based on multi-locus sequence analysis, suggest a potential origin of 'Ca. M. haematomacacae' from Neotropical and Old World bats. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study provided the largest dataset so far of multi-locus genetic sequences of 'Ca. M. haematomacacae' isolated from Thai macaques and enhanced the accuracy of phylogenetic analyses, providing insights into their origins among hemotropic Mycoplasma spp. discovered worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duriyang Narapakdeesakul
- Veterinary Pathobiology Graduate Program, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; Veterinary Parasitology Research Unit, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | | | - Salintorn Thongsahuan
- Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Paisin Lekcharoen
- Veterinary Public Health Graduate Program, Department of Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Theerakamol Pengsakul
- Health and Environmental Research Center, Faculty of Environmental Management, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90110, Thailand
| | | | - Morakot Kaewthamasorn
- Veterinary Parasitology Research Unit, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
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Thongmeesee K, Sri-In C, Kaewthamasorn M, Thanee S, Wattanaphansak S, Tiawsirisup S. Establishment of molecular diagnostics targeting the 23S ribosomal RNA gene for the detection of Mycoplasma suis infection in Thai domestic pigs. Acta Trop 2023; 238:106759. [PMID: 36403675 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Mycoplasma (M.) suis is a pathogenic hemotropic Mycoplasma sp. that causes acute hemolytic anemia or chronic infection in pigs. M. suis infection can be diagnosed using several methods, including molecular diagnosis such as conventional PCR (cPCR) and quantitative PCR (qPCR). In these cases, the common target is the 16S rRNA gene; however, this genetic marker cannot distinguish hemoplasma at the species level owing to high sequence identity. Therefore, the 23S rRNA gene has emerged as another target gene. Other than PCR, the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method can be applied for M. suis. The objective of the present study was to establish cPCR, TaqMan qPCR, and LAMP assays in which the 23S rRNA gene is used to detect M. suis infection in Thai domestic pigs. The analytical sensitivity of cPCR was determined as 7.46 × 104 copies/μl of plasmid DNA, whereas those of qPCR and LAMP were 7.46 × 102 copies/μl. There was no cross reaction with other pathogens in any of the assays. To evaluate the diagnostic performance of the assays, they were tested using 173 samples of genomic DNA. The detection percentage of M. suis infection was 24.86% (43/173; 95% CI: 18.61%-31.89%), 28.32% (49/173; 95% CI: 21.75%-35.66%), and 29.48% (51/173; 95% CI: 22.80%-36.88%) using cPCR, qPCR, and LAMP, respectively. Using qPCR as a reference assay, cPCR showed 81.63% sensitivity, 97.58% specificity, and an almost perfect level of agreement (kappa = 0.823). In comparison, LAMP showed 77.55% sensitivity, 89.52% specificity, and a substantial level of agreement (kappa = 0.662). All assays tested here could be applied in veterinary diagnostic laboratories for monitoring porcine health in the herds. Furthermore, the LAMP assay could be used as a screening test in farm practice without the need for any special equipment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kritsada Thongmeesee
- Animal Vector-Borne Disease Research Unit, Parasitology Unit, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; Veterinary Pathobiology Graduate Program, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Chalida Sri-In
- Animal Vector-Borne Disease Research Unit, Parasitology Unit, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Morakot Kaewthamasorn
- Veterinary Parasitology Research Unit, Parasitology Unit, Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Suchansa Thanee
- Parasitology Unit, Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Suphot Wattanaphansak
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Sonthaya Tiawsirisup
- Animal Vector-Borne Disease Research Unit, Parasitology Unit, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
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