Molecular investigation reveals three hemotropic mycoplasmas in cats and three tick species in China
Hongfei Shi1, Guoguang Li1, Dandan Li1
1Henan Provincial Engineering and Technology Center of Animal Disease Diagnosis and Integrated Control, Henan Provincial Engineering Laboratory of Insects Bio-reactor, Nanyang Normal University, Nanyang, China.
Abstract:
To date, the primary hemoplasmas that infect cats include Mycoplasma haemofelis, 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum', and 'Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis'. In addition, other hemoplasmas Mycoplasma species have also been identified in cats. In central China, no infections or potential vectors with hemotropic mycoplasmas have been recorded in cats. To elucidate the prevalence of hemotropic mycoplasmas in both cats and parasitic ticks, this study investigated the occurrence of hemotropic mycoplasma infections in ticks and cats. A total of 78 blood samples were collected from both anemic and healthy cats, along with 284 ticks from the cats' body surfaces and 356 ticks found in the surrounding environment. Following the morphological and molecular identification of ticks, all samples were screened for pathogens using PCR detection and sequence analysis. The results indicated the presence of 392 Haemaphysalis longicornis, 152 Rhipicephalus microplus, and 76 Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato in cats and their surrounding environment. Molecular detection revealed the amplification of 156 'Ca. M. haemominutum', 96 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos', 41 M. haemofelis, and 64 Rickettsia felis-positive amplicons from both cats and ticks. Notably, when comparing the infection rates of 'Ca. M. haemobos' in the environment group, no significant differences were observed in the infection rates among the three tick species from anemic or healthy cats (p > 0.05, α = 0.05). Furthermore, sequence analysis of 'Ca. M. haemobos' indicated two novel sequence types that were most closely related to an isolate from buffalo in China. In conclusion, in this study, in addition to 'Ca. M. haemominutum' and M. haemofelis, 'Ca. M. haemobos' was first detected in cats. 'Ca. M. haemominutum' appears to be associated with anemic syndrome in cats, while further research is needed to explore the relationship between 'Ca. M. haemobos' and clinical signs in felines. Additionally, these three hemotropic mycoplasmas were also found in three species of ticks, and transmission experiments are required to investigate the capacity of these ticks to transmit hemoplasmas Mycoplasma among animals.
Insights
This study detected hemotropic mycoplasmas, including Mycoplasma haemofelis and Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum, in cats and ticks in central China. Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos was newly identified in cats and ticks, with Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum potentially linked to feline anemia.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Microbiology
- Parasitology
- Molecular Diagnostics
Background:
- Primary feline hemotropic mycoplasmas include Mycoplasma haemofelis, 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum', and 'Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis'.
- Limited data exists on hemotropic mycoplasma prevalence and vectors in cats within central China.
- Hemotropic mycoplasmas are tick-borne pathogens affecting animal health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of hemotropic mycoplasmas in domestic cats and associated ticks in central China.
- To identify tick species acting as potential vectors for hemotropic mycoplasmas.
- To explore the association between specific hemotropic mycoplasmas and feline clinical signs, particularly anemia.
Main Methods:
- Collected blood samples from 78 anemic and healthy cats.
- Collected 284 ticks from cats and 356 from the surrounding environment for morphological and molecular identification.
- Employed PCR detection and sequence analysis to screen all samples for hemotropic mycoplasmas and Rickettsia felis.
Main Results:
- Identified Haemaphysalis longicornis, Rhipicephalus microplus, and Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato ticks.
- Detected 'Ca. M. haemominutum' (156 amplicons), 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos' (96 amplicons), M. haemofelis (41 amplicons), and Rickettsia felis (64 amplicons) in cats and ticks.
- 'Ca. M. haemobos' was detected in cats for the first time; 'Ca. M. haemominutum' showed a potential association with anemia.
Conclusions:
- This study reports the first detection of 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos' in cats in central China, alongside 'Ca. M. haemominutum' and M. haemofelis.
- 'Ca. M. haemominutum' may be linked to feline anemia, warranting further investigation into 'Ca. M. haemobos' and its clinical relevance.
- The presence of these hemotropic mycoplasmas in multiple tick species highlights the need for transmission studies to confirm vector competence.
