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Hemoplasma prevalence and hematological abnormalities associated with infection in three different cat populations
Andrea Pires dos Santos1, Francisco de Oliveira Conrado2, Joanne Belle Messick3
1Laboratório de Análises Clínicas Veterinárias - LACVet, Departamento de Patologia Clínica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil.
Insights
Hemoplasma infection is common in Brazilian cats, with
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Parasitology
- Feline Infectious Diseases
- Molecular Diagnostics
Background:
- Three hemoplasma species infect domestic cats: Mycoplasma haemofelis, 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum', and 'Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis'.
- Understanding hemoplasma prevalence and associated health impacts in feline populations is crucial for veterinary care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of hemoplasma species in domestic cats in Southern Brazil.
- To investigate the hematological abnormalities associated with hemoplasma infections in these cats.
Main Methods:
- Collected blood samples from 369 domestic cats across three populations: blood donors, hospitalized, and shelter cats.
- Performed complete blood counts and extracted DNA for conventional PCR to identify hemoplasma species.
- Analyzed data for associations between hemoplasma infection, hematological parameters, and cat demographics.
Main Results:
- A total of 21.40% of cats tested positive for at least one hemoplasma species.
- 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum' was the most prevalent (13.55%), followed by 'Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis' (2.71%) and Mycoplasma haemofelis (2.16%).
- Anemia was significantly associated with Mycoplasma haemofelis and 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum' infections, challenging previous assumptions about the latter's pathogenicity.
Conclusions:
- Hemoplasma infections are prevalent in domestic cats in Southern Brazil, with 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum' being the most common.
- Mycoplasma haemofelis and 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum' infections are linked to anemia in cats.
- Male cats and those with outdoor access showed a higher likelihood of infection, suggesting potential transmission routes.
Abstract:
Three hemoplasma species are recognized in domestic cats: Mycoplasma haemofelis, 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum' and 'Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis'. We report the prevalence and hematological abnormalities of hemoplasma infection in 369 domestic cats from three different populations (blood donors, hospitalized cats and shelter cats) from Southern Brazil. Complete blood counts were performed at the time of blood collection, and DNA was extracted and tested by conventional PCR for each hemoplasma species. A total of 79 samples (21.40%) were positive for at least one species. The most prevalent hemoplasma was 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum', with 50/369 (13.55%) positive cats, followed by 'Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis', 10/369 (2.71%), and Mycoplasma haemofelis, 8/369 (2.16%). Mycoplasma haemofelis and 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum' coinfection was observed in 4/369 (1.08%), whereas 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum' and 'Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis' in 5/369 (1.35%). Three cats (0.81%) were infected with all three hemoplasmas. There was no association between infection and the different populations. Anemia was associated with Mycoplasma haemofelis and 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum', but not with 'Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis'. Male cats and cats with outdoor access were more likely to be infected. Although 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum' is believed to cause minimal or no hematological alterations, the infected cats studied herein were more likely to be anemic.
