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Torres-Santos PT, Evaristo AMDCF, Santos JR, Collere FCM, Vieira TSWJ, Pereira LCM, Nicola PA, Vieira RFDC, Horta MC. Hemoplasmas in wild rodents and marsupials from the Caatinga Biome, Brazil. Acta Trop 2024; 258:107334. [PMID: 39127138 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107334] [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: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 07/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
A total of 231 blood samples from wild mammals belonging to the orders Rodentia (n = 142) and Didelphimorphia (n = 89) were screened by real-time PCR assay (qPCR), being six Rhipidomys sp., 118 Thrichomys laurentius, nine Rattus rattus, four Kerodon rupestris, five Necromys lasiurus, 42 Didelphis albiventris and 47 Monodelphis domestica. Results using qPCR showed that 32 of the total 231 (13.85 %) samples were positive for hemoplasma sequences of the 16S rRNA gene. Sequences from two D. albiventris showed 99.77-99.89 % identity with 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemoalbiventris' and 99.09 % with 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemodidelphidis', respectively. Furthermore, one M. domestica and five T. laurentius showed 99.72-99.77 % identity with Mycoplasma sp., and one K. rupestris showed 98.13 % identity with 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haematohydrochaerus'; and from two Rattus rattus showed 99.65-99.89 % identity with Mycoplasma sp. and 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemomuris'. The 23S rRNA gene sequences obtained from the two D. albiventris showed 100 % identity with 'Ca. M. haemoalbiventris' whereas the sequences from the R. rattus showed only 85.31 % identity with 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haematohydrochaerus'. Two T. laurentius and one K. rupestris showed 84.66-92.97 % identity with 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemosphiggurus'. Based on phylogenetic and Neighbor-Net network analyses of the 16S and 23S rRNA genes, potential novel species are described. In addition, 'Ca. M. haemoalbiventris' was detected in Didelphis albiventris, and Mycoplasma sp. was detected in Rattus sp. rodents from the Caatinga biome, Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Talita Torres-Santos
- Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Federal University of the São Francisco Valley, Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brasil; Graduate Program in Veterinary Sciences in the Semiarid Region, Federal University of Vale do São Francisco, Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Anna Maria da Cruz Ferreira Evaristo
- Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Federal University of the São Francisco Valley, Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brasil; Graduate Program in Veterinary Sciences in the Semiarid Region, Federal University of Vale do São Francisco, Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | | | | | - Thállitha Samih Wischral Jayme Vieira
- Center for Computational Intelligence to Predict Health and Environmental Risks (CIPHER), The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, USA
| | - Luiz Cezar Machado Pereira
- Center Fauna Management, Cema-Fauna, Federal University of the São Francisco Valley, Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Patricia Avello Nicola
- Center Fauna Management, Cema-Fauna, Federal University of the São Francisco Valley, Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Rafael Felipe da Costa Vieira
- Center for Computational Intelligence to Predict Health and Environmental Risks (CIPHER), The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, USA; Department of Epidemiology and Community Health, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, USA
| | - Mauricio Claudio Horta
- Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Federal University of the São Francisco Valley, Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brasil; Graduate Program in Veterinary Sciences in the Semiarid Region, Federal University of Vale do São Francisco, Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brazil.
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Millán J, Martín-Maldonado B, Rodríguez-Pastor R, Martínez-Padilla J, Esperón F. High diversity, novel genotypes, and vertical transmission of hemotropic Mycoplasma in micromammals. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2024; 107:102151. [PMID: 38387227 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2024.102151] [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: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Hemotropic mycoplasmas (hemoplasmas) are emerging zoonotic pathogens. Micromammals have received little attention as hosts for hemoplasmas despite their ubiquitous presence, high population abundances, and close association with humans. A PCR protocol targeting a fragment of the 16 S rRNA gene and direct sequencing in blood samples of 189 adult specimens and 35 fetuses belonging to three species of Eulipotyphla (shrews) and seven species of Rodentia, captured in three ecologically diverse habitats in North-Eastern Spain (Steppe, High Mountain, Mediterranean) yielded and occurrence of 26%, including 36% of 39 shrews and 23% of 150 rodents. Sequencing revealed the presence of 14 nucleotide sequence types (ntST) among the 56 readable sequences. In general, each ntST was associated with a given host species, although in some cases, the same ntST was sequenced in different species (chiefly rodents). Most ntST were closely related to rodent and/or bat hemoplasmas, but one was identical with Mycoplasma haemocanis/haemofelis, and others can be considered novel genotypes. High sequence diversity was detected in rodents, whereas in the white-toothed shrew (Crocidura russula), 9/11 sequences from two distant areas were identical. Phylogenetic and network analyses classified our sequences in different clades including hemoplasmas of rodents, carnivores, bats, and humans. Twelve of the fetuses (34.2%) of 9/12 litters (75.0%) of shrews and rodents were hemoplasma-positive, indicating frequent vertical transmission. Our study contributes to expanding our knowledge about the distribution, diversity, and transmission of hemoplasmas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Millán
- Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2, Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA, Zaragoza 50013, Spain; Fundación ARAID, Avda. Ranillas 1, Zaragoza 50018, Spain; Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Bárbara Martín-Maldonado
- Departamento de Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias Biomédicas y de la Salud, Universidad Europea de Madrid, c/ Tajo s/n, Villaviciosa de Odón (Madrid) 28670, Spain
| | - Ruth Rodríguez-Pastor
- Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2, Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA, Zaragoza 50013, Spain; Departamento de Patología Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Zaragoza, c/Miguel Servet 177, Zaragoza 50013, Spain
| | - Jesús Martínez-Padilla
- IPE, Pyrenean Institute of Ecology (CSIC), 22700, Avda. Nuestra Señora de la Victoria 16, Jaca, Spain
| | - Fernando Esperón
- Departamento de Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias Biomédicas y de la Salud, Universidad Europea de Madrid, c/ Tajo s/n, Villaviciosa de Odón (Madrid) 28670, Spain
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Haemoplasma Prevalence and Diversity in Three Invasive Rattus Species from Gauteng Province, South Africa. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10081632. [PMID: 36014050 PMCID: PMC9413481 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10081632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive Rattus species are carriers of haemotropic Mycoplasmas (haemoplasmas) globally, but data from Africa are lacking. Using a PCR-sequencing approach, we assessed haemoplasma prevalence and diversity in kidney and buccal swabs collected from three invasive Rattus species (Rattus rattus, R. norvegicus and R. tanezumi) in Gauteng Province, South Africa. Whilst the overall sequence-confirmed haemoplasma prevalence was 38.4%, infection rates in R. rattus (58.3%) were significantly higher (χ2 = 12.96; df = 2; n = 99 p < 0.05) than for R. tanezumi (14.3%). Differences between host sex (χ2 = 3.59 × 10−31; df = 1; n = 99; p = 1.00) and age (χ2 = 4.28; df = 2; n = 99; p = 0.12) were not significant. Whilst buccal (1.01%) and ectoparasite positivity (2.13%) were low, these results suggest that multiple transmission routes are possible. Three phylogenetically distinct lineages, consistent with global rat-associated strains described to date, were detected, namely, ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma haemomuris subsp. Ratti’, and two Rattus-specific haemoplasmas that are yet to be formally described. These results expand the known distribution of invasive rat-associated haemoplasmas and highlight the potential for pathogen co-invasion of new territories together with invading rodent hosts.
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Santodomingo AM, Thomas RS, Quintero-Galvis JF, Echeverry-Berrio DM, la Fuente MCSD, Moreno-Salas L, Muñoz-Leal S. Apicomplexans in small mammals from Chile, with the first report of the Babesia microti group in South American rodents. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:1009-1020. [PMID: 35102466 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07452-4] [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: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Small mammals play an essential role as disseminators of pathogens because they reach high population densities and have ubiquitous distributions. In the Northern Hemisphere rodents are well recognized as reservoirs for tick-borne bacteria of the Anaplasmataceae family and also apicomplexan protozoans. In contrast, South American rodents hosting these microorganisms have been rarely identified. In this study, we collected blood from rodents and marsupials in northern Chile and screened for Anaplasmataceae bacteria and apicomplexan protozoa. Overall, 14.7% of the samples were positive for Babesia, Hepatozoon, and Sarcocystidae using conventional PCR assays targeting the structural 18S rRNA locus (18S). Phylogenetic analyses performed with amplicons derived from 18S and cytochrome c oxidase (COI) gene provided evidence of a Babesia sp. belonging to the Babesia microti group in Phyllotis darwini, and a novel Babesia genotype in P. darwini and Abrothrix jelskii. Furthermore, four novel genotypes of Hepatozoon retrieved from Abrothrix olivacea, P. darwini, and Oligoryzomys longicaudatus, formed independent lineages within a clade that includes additional Hepatozoon spp. detected in South American rodents. Moreover, an incidental finding of a previously detected apicomplexan, herein designated as Sarcocystidae sp., was recorded in Thylamys opossums with a high prevalence, indicating a possible specific association with these mammals. Phylogenetic analysis of Sarcoystidae sp. clearly demonstrated its relatedness to apicomplexans detected in Australian marsupials. Our results expand the range of mammals hosting tick-borne apicomplexans in South America, highlight a novel clade consisting of South American babesias, and report for the first time the B. microti group infecting rodents in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana M Santodomingo
- Departamento de Ciencia Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Chillán, Ñuble, Chile
| | - Richard S Thomas
- Departamento de Ciencia Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Chillán, Ñuble, Chile
| | | | | | | | - Lucila Moreno-Salas
- Departamento de Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales Y Oceanográficas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Sebastián Muñoz-Leal
- Departamento de Ciencia Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Chillán, Ñuble, Chile.
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Molecular Detection and Characterization of Hemoplasmas in the Pudu (Pudu puda), a Native Cervid from Chile. J Wildl Dis 2021; 58:8-14. [PMID: 34797910 DOI: 10.7589/jwd-d-21-00057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Hemotropic mycoplasmas cause hemolytic anemia in a variety of wild and domestic mammals. Despite growing evidence about their widespread presence and genetic diversity in wildlife, their presence has never been investigated in Chilean artiodactyls. We aimed to describe the presence and diversity of hemoplasmas in pudus (Pudu puda), a small cervid native to Chile. Hemoplasma infection was assessed in blood samples from 43 wild and 33 captive pudus from central and southern Chile by direct sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. We detected hemoplasmas in 13%, with no statistical differences between wild (19%) and captive animals (6%). A sequence closely related to Mycoplasma ovis was present both in wild (14%) and captive (6%) pudus. Two previously undescribed sequences, classified in a clade including hemoplasmas from carnivores, were found in one wild pudu each. This study presents the first evidence of the presence of M. ovis-like organisms in Chile and of the susceptibility of pudus to infection with hemoplasmas. Further research is needed to understand the pathologic consequences of this pathogen for pudus, its effects at the population level, and their potential impact on the health small ruminants and other wildlife species in Chile.
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Millán J, Di Cataldo S, Volokhov DV, Becker DJ. Worldwide occurrence of haemoplasmas in wildlife: Insights into the patterns of infection, transmission, pathology and zoonotic potential. Transbound Emerg Dis 2020; 68:3236-3256. [PMID: 33210822 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Haemotropic mycoplasmas (haemoplasmas) have increasingly attracted the attention of wildlife disease researchers due to a combination of wide host range, high prevalence and genetic diversity. A systematic review identified 75 articles that investigated haemoplasma infection in wildlife by molecular methods (chiefly targeting partial 16S rRNA gene sequences), which included 131 host genera across six orders. Studies were less common in the Eastern Hemisphere (especially Africa and Asia) and more frequent in the Artiodactyla and Carnivora. Meta-analysis showed that infection prevalence did not vary by geographic region nor host order, but wild hosts showed significantly higher prevalence than captive hosts. Using a taxonomically flexible machine learning algorithm, we also found vampire bats and cervids to have greater prevalence, whereas mink, a subclade of vesper bats, and true foxes all had lower prevalence compared to the remaining sampled mammal phylogeny. Haemoplasma genotype and nucleotide diversity varied little among wild mammals but were marginally lower in primates and bats. Coinfection with more than one haemoplasma species or genotype was always confirmed when assessed. Risk factors of infection identified were sociality, age, males and high trophic levels, and both prevalence and diversity were often higher in undisturbed environments. Haemoplasmas likely use different and concurrent transmission routes and typically display enzootic dynamics when wild populations are studied longitudinally. Haemoplasma pathology is poorly known in wildlife but appears subclinical. Candidatus Mycoplasma haematohominis, which causes disease in humans, probably has it natural host in bats. Haemoplasmas can serve as a model system in ecological and evolutionary studies, and future research on these pathogens in wildlife must focus on increasing the geographic range and taxa of studies and elucidating pathology, transmission and zoonotic potential. To facilitate such work, we recommend using universal PCR primers or NGS protocols to detect novel haemoplasmas and other genetic markers to differentiate among species and infer cross-species transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Millán
- Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2 (Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA), Zaragoza, Spain.,Fundación ARAID, Zaragoza, Spain.,Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Sophia Di Cataldo
- Programa de Doctorado en Medicina de la Conservación, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Dmitriy V Volokhov
- Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Daniel J Becker
- Department of Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA
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