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Published on: July 1, 2018
Occurrence of Mycoplasma suis in wild boars (Sus scrofa L.)
Katharina Hoelzle1, Michael Engels, Manuela M Kramer
1Institute of Veterinary Bacteriology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstr. 270, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland. khoelzle@vetbakt.uzh.ch
Abstract:
Porcine infectious anemia is a well-known disease that occurs worldwide and is caused by the uncultivable hemotrophic bacterium Mycoplasma suis. In this study the occurrence of M. suis in wild boars was investigated by employing a quantitative real-time LightCycler PCR. M. suis infections were detected in 36 out of 359 wild boars (10.03%). Sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene and subsequent phylogenetic analysis revealed the existence of two genetically distinct M. suis subtypes in the wild boar population: one subtype was >99.0% identical to known American and European M. suis isolates, and the second subtype showed the highest homology to known Chinese isolates. In summary, this is the first detection of M. suis in wild boars. The role of M. suis as pathogen in wild boars has yet to be established, but the present findings revealed a possible wildlife reservoir for these bacteria.
Insights
Mycoplasma suis, a cause of porcine infectious anemia, was found in 10% of wild boars. This study identified two distinct subtypes, suggesting wild boars may act as a reservoir for this bacterium.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Microbiology
- Wildlife Epidemiology
- Bacterial Pathogenesis
Background:
- Porcine infectious anemia is a global disease caused by the hemotrophic bacterium Mycoplasma suis.
- Mycoplasma suis is known to infect domestic pigs but its prevalence in wildlife populations is largely unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the occurrence and genetic diversity of Mycoplasma suis in wild boars.
- To determine if wild boars represent a potential reservoir for Mycoplasma suis.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative real-time LightCycler PCR was used to detect M. suis DNA in wild boar blood samples.
- Sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene was performed for phylogenetic analysis of detected isolates.
Main Results:
- Mycoplasma suis was detected in 36 out of 359 wild boars, representing a 10.03% infection rate.
- Phylogenetic analysis revealed two distinct M. suis subtypes: one closely related to American/European strains and another to Chinese strains.
- This marks the first documented detection of M. suis in wild boars.
Conclusions:
- Wild boars harbor genetically diverse subtypes of Mycoplasma suis, with some strains showing close resemblance to those found in domestic pigs globally.
- The findings suggest that wild boars could serve as a wildlife reservoir for Mycoplasma suis, potentially impacting swine health and disease transmission.
- Further research is needed to establish the pathogenic role of M. suis in wild boars and its epidemiological significance.
