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Haemoplasma Prevalence and Diversity in Three Invasive Rattus Species from Gauteng Province, South Africa

Liezl Retief1, Christian T Chimimba2, Marinda C Oosthuizen3

  • 1Department of Zoology and Entomology, Mammal Research Institute (MRI), University of Pretoria, Hatfield 0028, South Africa.

Microorganisms
|August 26, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Invasive rats in South Africa carry haemotropic Mycoplasmas (haemoplasmas). Rattus rattus showed higher infection rates, with three distinct haemoplasma lineages detected, expanding the known distribution of these pathogens.

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Parasitology

Background:

  • Invasive Rattus species are known global carriers of haemotropic Mycoplasmas (haemoplasmas).
  • Limited data exists on haemoplasma prevalence and diversity in African rodent populations.
  • Understanding pathogen carriage in invasive species is crucial for disease ecology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence and genetic diversity of haemoplasmas in invasive Rattus species in Gauteng Province, South Africa.
  • To identify specific Rattus species and potential transmission routes associated with haemoplasma infections.
  • To characterize the phylogenetic relationships of detected haemoplasmas with known global strains.

Main Methods:

  • Collection of kidney and buccal swabs from invasive Rattus species (Rattus rattus, R. norvegicus, R. tanezumi).
  • Application of PCR-sequencing for haemoplasma detection and identification.
  • Phylogenetic analysis to determine the diversity and relationships of detected haemoplasma strains.

Main Results:

  • Overall sequence-confirmed haemoplasma prevalence was 38.4% across all sampled Rattus species.
  • Rattus rattus exhibited significantly higher infection rates (58.3%) compared to R. tanezumi (14.3%).
  • Three distinct haemoplasma lineages were identified, including 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemomuris subsp. Ratti' and two novel Rattus-specific strains.

Conclusions:

  • This study confirms the presence of invasive rat-associated haemoplasmas in South Africa, expanding their known geographical distribution.
  • Rattus rattus appears to be a significant host for haemoplasmas in the studied region.
  • The findings highlight the potential for co-invasion of pathogens with their invasive hosts, impacting novel ecosystems.
Keywords:
16S rRNAMycoplasmaRattus norvegicusRattus rattusRattus tanezumiRnase PdnaKgapAhaemoplasmasphylogeny

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