Identification of Hemotropic Mycoplasmas in an Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) and a Yellow-bellied Slider (Trachemys scripta scripta) from North Carolina, USA

Abstract

Mycoplasma spp. are known from several chelonian and other reptilian species. We determined if turtles obtained by the Turtle Rescue Team at North Carolina State University are carriers of hemotropic Mycoplasma or Bartonella spp. Spleen samples were collected at necropsy during May through July, 2014 from 53 turtles of seven species. All turtles were dead or were euthanized upon arrival due to severe traumatic injuries, or they died shortly after beginning treatment. We used PCR amplification for both bacterial genera; Bartonella spp. DNA was not amplified. Based upon sequencing of the 16S rRNA subunit, one eastern box turtle ( Terrapene carolina carolina) and one yellow-bellied slider ( Trachemys scripta scripta) were infected with Mycoplasma spp. that have genetic similarities to strains that infect other animals.

Polychromophilus melanipherus and haemoplasma infections not associated with clinical signs in southern bent-winged bats (Miniopterus orianae bassanii) and eastern bent-winged bats (Miniopterus orianae oceanensis)

“…They were originally classified as rickettsia in the genera Haemobartonella and Eperythrozoon, but molecular work has confirmed their identity as mycoplasmas (Messick and Harvey, 2012). Haemoplasma infection has been reported in a wide range of hosts including humans (Steer et al, 2011), dogs (Compton et al, 2012), cats (Messick, 2004), turtles (Jarred et al, 2018), white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ) (Maggi et al, 2013), Darwin's fox ( Lycalopex fulvipes ) (Cabello et al, 2013), Japanese badgers ( Meles meles anakuma ) (Harasawa et al, 2014), raccoon dogs ( Nyctereutes procyonoides viverrinus ) (Harasawa et al, 2014) and bats (Ikeda et al, 2017; Mascarelli et al, 2014; Millan et al, 2015). They have been associated with haemolytic anaemia, ill thrift and infertility, but infections are also frequently asymptomatic (Messick and Harvey, 2012; Cabello et al, 2013; Maggi et al, 2013; Millan et al, 2015).…”