ABSTRACT. We have examined the presence of hemoplasmas, hemotropic mycoplasmas, among domestic cats (Felis catus) in Japan by using a species specific PCR, and found 'Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis', a recently recognized hemoplasma species. A total of 60 feline blood samples collected in 2004 and 2005 were subjected to PCR amplification for the detection of Mycoplasma haemofelis, 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum' and 'Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis'. Six blood samples collected from domestic cats were found infected with the 'Candidatus M. turicensis'. All of them are also infected with other species of hemoplasmas, M. haemofelis and/or 'Candidatus M. haemominutum'. This is the first to demonstrate 'Candidatus M. turicensis' infections among cat population in Japan. KEY WORDS: feline, hemoplasma, 16S rRNA.

ABSTRACT. We developed a real-time PCR procedure followed by melting curve analysis using the green fluorescence dye SYBR Green I for rapid detection and differentiation of hemplasmas in cattle. Analysis of the melting temperature (Tm) of the PCR products allowed for differentiation of the 2 bovine hemoplasmas, Mycoplasma wenyonii and a provisional species, 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos' (a synonym of 'Candidatus M. haemobovis'). The Tm (mean  S.E.) of the PCR products from the bovine hemoplasmas were 86.98  0.12C for M. wenyonii and 82.04  0.27C for 'Candidatus M. haemobos' in the melting experiments. The protocol described in the present study can decrease the time to results by simultaneous detection and differentiation of the two hemoplasmas in cattle. By using this protocol, we examined hemoplasma prevalence in 109 cattle in Miyagi Prefecture and found that 67 (61.5%) were infected with M. wenyonii, 25 (22.9%) were infected with 'Candidatus M. haemobos' and 14 (12.8%) were infected with both.

ABSTRACT. Only two hemoplasma species, Eperythrozoon parvum and Mycoplasma suis, have been recognized in pigs. Here we demonstrate the genetic variations among six hemoplasma strains detected from pigs, by analyzing the 16S rRNA and RNase P RNA (rnpB) genes, and propose a novel hemoplasma taxon that has not been described previously. Phylogenetic trees based on the nucleotide sequence of the 16S rRNA gene indicated that these six hemoplasmas were divided into two clusters representing M. suis and a novel taxon. We further examined the primary and secondary structures of the nucleotide sequences of the rnpB gene of the novel taxon, and found it distinct from that of M. suis. In conclusion, we unveiled a genetic cluster distinct from M. suis, suggesting a new swine hemoplasma species or E. parvum. Our findings also suggest that this novel cluster should be included in the genus Mycoplasma.

ABSTRACT. The prevalence of hemotropic mycoplasmas in wild rodents is largely unknown. Here, we report the presence of hemoplasmas in blood samples collected from brown sewer rats (Rattus norvegicus) trapped during rodent control around an animal hospital in Morioka, Japan. We examined nine rats using real-time PCR and end-point PCR, and found one rat (11.1%) that was positive for a hemoplasma infection. The 16S rRNA gene and 16S to 23S rRNA intergenic spacer region of the hemoplasma detected in a wild-caught rat were amplified using PCR. The nucleotide sequences of the PCR products were further determined and compared to those of other hemoplasmas. Our examinations revealed the presence of a hemoplasma that has not previously been described in rodents. The pathogenic traits of this hemoplasma remain unexplored.