A molecular study of hemotropic mycoplasmas (hemoplasmas) in cats in Iran

Molecular prevalence and phylogenetic analysis of hemotropic Mycoplasma species in cats in different regions of Iran

BACKGROUND

Hemotropic Mycoplasma species (hemoplasmas) cause hemolytic anemia in cats worldwide and are recognized as emerging zoonotic pathogens. There is no comprehensive study on the prevalence and species diversity of hemoplasmas in domestic cat populations in different regions in Iran. Thus, the aims of the present study were to provide data on the prevalence and molecular characterization of hemotropic Mycoplasma species in apparently healthy cats from six Iranian provinces with different climates. In addition, potential risk factors associated with hemoplasmosis in cats were assessed.

RESULTS

Mycoplasma spp. DNA was detected in the blood of 56 / 361 cats (15.5%) using genus-specific PCR. Further examinations with species-specific PCR and Sanger sequencing showed that 38 cats (10.5%) tested positive for Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum (CMhm), 8 cats (2.2%) tested positive for Mycoplasma haemofelis (Mhf), and 2 cats (0.6%) tested positive for Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis (CMt). Co-infection with CMhm, and Mhf was observed in 7 cats (1.9%). One cat (0.3%) showed mixed infection with CMhm, Mhf, and CMt. There were statistically significant relationships between Mycoplasma positivity and being female, living in shelter (cattery), and being over 3 years old (P < 0.05). No significant association was observed for the cat breed and sampling localities.

CONCLUSIONS

Current study findings revealed that hemoplasma infections are common among Iran cat populations. Considering the impact of such emerging zoonotic pathogens on the One Health, routine screenings, increasing public awareness, effective control, and prophylactic strategies for minimizing infection in cats and subsequently in human are strongly recommended.

A case of mistaken identity: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and reinvestigation of hemotropic Mycoplasma spp. infection in Ctenocephalides felis (cat flea)

BACKGROUND

Feline-associated hemotropic Mycoplasma (hemoplasmas) are believed to be transmitted by two primary mechanisms: (1) direct transmission via fighting and (2) vector-borne transmission by the cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis). While the efficiency of transmission by C. felis appears low, most manuscripts focus on the prevalence of hemoplasmas in wild-caught fleas and report either a very low (< 3%) or a high (> 26%) prevalence. Therefore, we aimed to assess the influence of sample processing and PCR methods on C. felis hemoplasma infection prevalence.

METHODS

A systemic review of PubMed articles identified 13 manuscripts (1,531 fleas/flea pools) that met the inclusion criteria (performed PCR for >1 hemoplasma on C. felis collected from cats). Risk of bias was assessed utilizing the ROBINS-E tool. Meta-analysis performed in R of these manuscripts found that not washing samples and a common set of 16S rRNA primers first published in Jensen et al. 2001 were associated with increased hemoplasma prevalence. To evaluate the influence of washing on newly collected fleas, we assessed the hemoplasma status of 20 pools of 5 C. felis each, half of which were washed and half not washed.

RESULTS

Flea washing did not influence the detection of hemoplasma but instead amplified Spiroplasma. To assess non-specific amplification with the Jensen et al. 2001 primers, 67 C. felis samples (34% previously reported hemoplasma infected) were subject to PCR and sequencing. By this method, hemoplasma was detected in only 3% of samples. In the remaining "hemoplasma infected" fleas, PCR amplified Spiroplasma or other bacteria.

CONCLUSIONS

Therefore, we concluded that hemoplasma infection in C. felis is rare, and future flea prevalence studies should sequence all positive amplicons to validate PCR specificity. Further investigation of alternative methods of feline-associated hemoplasma transmission and the ability of C. felis to maintain hemoplasma infection is necessary.

Prevalence of hemoplasmas and Bartonella species in client-owned cats in Beijing and Shanghai, China

A year-round molecular epidemiological survey (2017 to 2018) was conducted on three hemoplasmas and two Bartonella species with zoonotic potential in client-owned cats in Beijing and Shanghai. Among 668 specimens, the overall hemoplasma-positive rate was 4.9% (3.4% for Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum, 0.9% for Mycoplasma haemofelis and 1.2% for Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis). The overall Bartonella-positive rate was 8.5% (4.8% for B. henselae and 4.3% for B. clarridgeiae). Age, breed, ectoparasiticide use and stray history, but not city, season and gender, were significantly associated with the positive rates of one or more pathogens. This is also the first report on the prevalence of Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis in cats in China.

Molecular Characterization of Hemoparasites and Hemoplasmas Infecting Domestic Cats of Southern India

In the present study, 111 blood samples were collected from apparently healthy cats belonging to four districts of Kerala, southern India, and they were investigated for the presence of hemoparasites and hemoplasmas by light microscopic examination and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The microscopic examination of the Giemsa-stained blood smears did not reveal any parasites/organisms. However, PCR followed by nucleotide sequencing could detect 10 (9.01%) out of 111 samples infected with Hepatozoon felis, 3 (2.70%) with Cytauxzoon spp., and 10 (9.01%) with Mycoplasma spp. None of the samples revealed amplicons specific for the Babesia spp. and Trypanosoma evansi. The phylogenetic analysis of 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequences of H. felis revealed the existence of two different populations of H. felis circulating in the blood of infected cats. The phylogenetic tree was constructed based on 18S rRNA gene sequences of Cytauxzoon spp. and revealed that these isolates formed a distinct clade and do not cluster with any of the isolates from other countries. Among the 10 samples positive for Mycoplasma spp. infections, 7 were detected positive for Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum, two for Mycoplasma haemofelis, and one for Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences of Mycoplasma spp. showed no distinct geographical grouping of the sequences. The sequences of M. haemofelis, Candidatus M. haemominutum, and Candidatus M. turicensis identified in the study clustered along with their respective isolates from around the world. To the best of our knowledge, this study forms the first report of molecular detection of Cytauxzoon spp. and Candidatus M. turicensis in cats from India.

Evaluation of hematological alteration of vector-borne pathogens in cats from Bangkok, Thailand

Background

Cats can be carriers of infected arthropods and be infected with several vector-borne pathogens (VBPs) but there is limited knowledge about their pathogenic role in cats. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of some feline vector-borne agents by molecular technique and to characterize the hematological findings associated with these infections in a cat population from Bangkok Thailand.

Results

PCR was positive with at least one pathogen in 237 out of 372 subjects (63.7%), with prevalence of 39.5% (147/372) for Babesia spp., 36.9% (137/372) for hemoplasmas and 3.2% (12/372) for Hepatozoon spp. The cats older than 1 year were at significantly greater risk for VBPs infection (P = 0.001; OR = 1.43; 95% CI: 1.12 – 1.81) and hemoplasmas infection (χ2 = 10.8, df = 1; P < 0.0001; OR = 2.45; 95% CI: 1.49 – 4.01). A significant association between hematological findings and hemoplasma infection were identified in the present study. Besides, VBPs infection revealed more frequent in male cats (χ2= 6.38, df = 1, P = 0.01). Macrocytic hypochromic type of anemia was observed in cats infested with blood-sucking arthropods compared to the non-infested cats presented.

Conclusions

The current study confirmed that Babesia, Hepatozoon and hemoplasmas had infected semi-domesticated cats in Bangkok, Thailand, with Babesia and hemoplasmas being dominant in prevalence. Some hematological findings were significantly associated with cats infected with vector-borne pathogens in this study including leukocyte count and platelets count that may help support veterinary technicians in diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Campaigns of VBPs monitoring in Bangkok emphasizing on the investigation of vectors and possible routes of the infection in animals should be conducted to prevent the transmission of the pathogens.

Molecular Survey of Vector-Borne Pathogens of Dogs and Cats in Two Regions of Saudi Arabia

Dogs and cats play an important role as reservoirs of vector-borne pathogens, yet reports of canine and feline vector-borne diseases in Saudi Arabia are scarce. Blood samples were collected from 188 free-roaming dogs and cats in Asir (70 dogs and 44 cats) and Riyadh (74 dogs), Saudi Arabia. The presence of Anaplasma spp., Bartonella spp., hemotropic Mycoplasma spp., Babesia spp., and Hepatozoon spp. was detected using a multiplex tandem real-time PCR. PCR-positive samples were further examined with specific conventional and real-time PCR followed by sequencing. Dogs from Riyadh tested negative for all pathogens, while 46 out of 70 dogs (65.7%) and 17 out of 44 cats (38.6%) from Asir were positive for at least one pathogen. Positive dogs were infected with Anaplasma platys (57.1%), Babesia vogeli (30%), Mycoplasma haemocanis (15.7%), and Bartonella henselae (1.4%), and cats were infected with Mycoplasma haemofelis (13.6%), Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum (13.6%), B. henselae (9.2%), and A. platys (2.27%), all of which are reported for the first time in Saudi Arabia. Co-infection with A. platys and B. vogeli was detected in 17 dogs (24.28%), while coinfections were not detected in cats. These results suggest that effective control and public awareness strategies for minimizing infection in animals are necessary.

Role of vector-borne pathogens in the development of fever in cats: 1. Flea-associated diseases

PRACTICAL RELEVANCE

There has been increasing identification of vector-borne pathogens in cats presented to veterinary clinics around the world for evaluation of fever and the associated secondary effects, such as signs of depression and loss of appetite.

AIM

The aim of this article is to summarize the clinically relevant information concerning fever in cats that is associated with pathogens known or suspected to be vectored by fleas, with an emphasis on presenting clinical abnormalities and optimal diagnostic, treatment and prevention strategies. Fever in cats that is associated with pathogens vectored by ticks or sandflies is discussed in Part 2 of this article series.

Hemotropic mycoplasmas in naturally infected cats in Northeastern Brazil

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.

Prevalence and risk factor analysis for feline haemoplasmas in cats from Northern Serbia, with molecular subtyping of feline immunodeficiency virus

Objectives

The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence of feline haemoplasma infections in Northern Serbia, identify potential risk factors and perform molecular subtyping of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV).

Methods

PCR analysis for feline haemoplasmas was performed on surplus EDTA blood samples from 373 cats from the Belgrade region, Serbia. An ELISA was used to determine the prevalence of feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) and FIV; PCR was performed on a subpopulation of these cats. FIV subtyping was performed using PCR.

Results

Within this population, 64/373 cats (17.2%) were infected with one or more haemoplasma species. Mycoplasma haemofelis was detected in 20/373 cats (5.4%), ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum’ in 47/373 cats (12.6%) and ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis’ in 23/373 cats (6.2%). Coinfections were observed in 21/373 cats (5.6%). Based on ELISA serological retroviral testing, 4/310 cats (1.3%) were infected with FeLV, whereas 78/331 (23.6%) were infected with FIV. Multivariable analysis identified significant associations between haemoplasma infection and anaemia (anaemic/non-anaemic, odds ratio [OR] 2.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04–7.1; P = 0.041]), male gender (male/female, OR 4.5, 95% CI 2.22–9.03; P <0.0005), outdoor access (yes/no, OR 5.2, 95% CI 2.28–11.92; P <0.0005), non-pedigree breed (non-pedigree/pedigree, OR 5.5, 95% CI 1.24–24.84; P = 0.025) and FIV seropositive status (positive/negative, OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.21–4.83; P = 0.012). PCR analysis of the FIV ELISA-positive samples revealed clade D as being the most prevalent.

Conclusions and relevance

All three known species of feline haemoplasma were detected, confirming their presence in Serbia; ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum’ was the most prevalent. We found a high prevalence of FIV-infected cats and FIV clade D was most prevalent.

Acute phase proteins response in cats naturally infected by hemotropic mycoplasmas

Information about the acute phase proteins (APP) response in cats naturally infected with hemoplasmas and in cats co-infected with different species of hemoplasmas is lacking. This study evaluated serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin (Hp) and albumin in 48 cats naturally infected with hemoplasmas, including 25 with Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum and 23 co-infected with different hemoplasmas agents; and in 10 healthy control cats. Infected cats had significantly higher Hp and lower albumin than controls. Symptomatic cats had significantly higher SAA and Hp, and lower albumin than asymptomatic animals, and also than controls. Asymptomatic cats had significantly higher Hp than controls. Concentrations of APP were not significantly different between single infected and co-infected cats. According with these results, hemoplasmosis should be considered when alterations in APP are detected in diseased cats with compatible clinical signs. Furthermore, a subclinical infection should be considered in apparently healthy cats from endemic areas with increased Hp.

Molecular detection of vector-borne pathogens in Greek cats

Infectious diseases have been increasingly recognized in cats worldwide. The objective of this study was the molecular investigation of the prevalence of selected pathogens in healthy and sick cats from Greece, a country highly endemic for several canine vector-borne pathogens. Blood and/or bone marrow samples from 50 clinically healthy and 50 sick adult (>1 year-old) cats were retrospectively examined for the amplification of Bartonella spp., haemoplasmas, Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp., Babesia spp., and Cytauxzoon spp. DNA. Overall, 14.9% of the cats were found to be infected or co-infected by haemoplasmas, including Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum and M. haemofelis. In addition, 8.5% of the cats were infected by Bartonella henselae, Bartonella clarridgeiae or Bartonella koehlerae. In contrast, DNA of Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp., Babesia spp. and Cytauxzoon spp. was not amplified from the blood or bone marrow of any cat. There was no significant difference in either haemoplasma or Bartonella infection rates when comparing healthy and sick cats. This study represents the first description of Bartonella koehlerae in Greek cats.

Detection and molecular characterization of feline hemoplasmas in wild felid species in Iran in the Middle East

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First description of feline hemoplasma and immunodeficiency virus in endangered Persian Leopard species in Iran, Middle East.

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No zoo-kept wild felids were infected.

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Close sequence identity with hemoplasma isolates from domestic and wild felids in Iran and other geographical origins.

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Both ‘Ca. M. haemominutum’ infected leopards were old and male and were not born nor residing in zoos.

Three feline hemoplasma species exist in felids: Mycoplasma haemofelis, ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum’, and ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis’.

The aims of the study were to determine the presence of, and molecularly characterize, any hemoplasmas in wild felids, including the endangered Persian leopard in Iran, the Middle East.

Blood samples were collected from 19 wild felids, including three Persian leopards. Using species-specific hemoplasma PCRs and ELISA serological testing for feline leukaemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), two Persian leopards were found to be infected with ‘Ca. M. haemominutum’ and were seropositive for FIV. Partial 16S rRNA gene sequences were generated for these ‘Ca. M. haemominutum’ species and subsequent phylogenetic analysis revealed 97.70% to 99.45% sequence identity with those found in domestic cats from Iran and other countries.

This study confirms the presence of ‘Ca. M. haemominutum’ and concurrent FIV antibody in wild felids in Iran. This represents the first report of hemoplasma in wild felids in the Middle East as well as the first report of infection in Persian leopards.

Molecular detection of vector-borne pathogens in dogs and cats from Qatar

Background

Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) have been increasingly reported in dogs and cats worldwide. However, no data are currently available regarding canine and feline VBDs in Qatar and limited information is available from other Persian Gulf countries.

Methods

Blood samples from 98 client-owned animals (i.e. 64 dogs and 34 cats) living in Doha (Qatar) were collected and the presence of genomic DNA of Anaplasma spp., Babesia spp., Dirofilaria spp., Ehrlichia spp., Hepatozoon spp., Mycoplasma spp. and Rickettsia spp. was assessed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), real time-PCR (rt-PCR) and sequence analysis.

Results

Of the 64 dogs, 12 (18.8%) were infected with at least one pathogen (i.e. 7.8% with Mycoplasma spp., 4.7% with Babesia vogeli, 3.1% with Ehrlichia canis, and 1.6% with Anaplasma platys, Babesia gibsoni and Hepatozoon canis, each). One of the 12 dogs was co-infected with B. vogeli and E. canis. Of the 34 cats, seven (20.6%) animals were infected with at least one pathogen (i.e. 5.9% were positive for Mycoplasma spp., and 2.9% for Babesia felis, B. vogeli, E. canis, “Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum” and Mycoplasma haemofelis, each). No dogs or cats were positive for Dirofilaria spp. or Rickettsia spp.

Conclusions

Although the sample sizes of dogs and cats herein analysed was moderately small, data from this study report the occurrence of A. platys, B. vogeli, B. gibsoni, E. canis, H. canis and Mycoplasma spp. in domestic dogs and of B. felis, B. vogeli, “Candidatus M. haemominutum”, E. canis and M. haemofelis in domestic cats from Qatar. Further investigations along with prophylactic measures are strongly recommended in order to reduce the risk of dogs and cats acquiring VBDs in Qatar.

High prevalence of Felis catus gammaherpesvirus 1 infection in haemoplasma-infected cats supports co-transmission

Felis catus gammaherpesvirus 1 (FcaGHV1), a potential feline pathogen, has been identified in domestic cats from USA, Asia-Pacific and Central Europe. Transmission of FcaGHV1 during territorial encounters, a route not typical for gammaherpesviruses, is suggested by risk factor analyses from some regions. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between FcaGHV1 detection and risk factors, including haemoplasma co-infections, among UK cats to better understand transmission and global distribution of FcaGHV1. FcaGHV1 DNA was detected in blood samples from UK cats (11.56%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 7.47-16.84; n = 199). Logistic regression analyses showed that entire male cats were more likely to be FcaGHV1 positive than neutered male cats (odds ratio, 3.60; 95% CI, 1.22-10.46). Samples positive for DNA from any of three haemoplasma species had 19 times greater odds for testing positive for FcaGHV1 than haemoplasma negative cats in multivariable analyses after adjusting for age, sex and neuter status. Domestic cats in the UK can be infected with FcaGHV1, confirming that this virus is globally endemic. The identification of neuter status as a risk factor for FcaGHV1 detection provides further evidence to support transmission of this virus during territorial encounters and co-transmission with haemoplasmas is suggested.

Molecular detection and prevalence of feline hemotropic mycoplasmas in Istanbul, Turkey

The aim of this study was to investigate Mycoplasma spp. species in blood samples of the domestic cats from the province of Istanbul, Turkey. Three hundred eighty four blood samples of client-owned cats were used for the identification of Mycoplasma haemofelis (Mhf), Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum (CMhm) and Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis (CMt) by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) assays. Out of 384 blood samples, 74 (19.3%) were positive for one of Mycoplasma species. The total prevalence of Mhf, CMhm and CMt infections was 9.9%, 17.7% and 0.8% respectively. The most common species was CMhm. Co-infections were mostly with Mhf/CMhm and the frequency was 8.1%. Two cats were infected with three species. The current study was the first molecular prevalence study of hemotropic mycoplasmas in Istanbul, reporting the presence of CMt for the first time in Turkey. Prevalence of feline mycoplasma was notably high in Istanbul and PCR assay could be preferred rather than the microscopic examination for the diagnosis.