Molecular detection and prevalence of feline hemotropic mycoplasmas in Istanbul, Turkey

In the present study, 111 blood samples were collected from apparently healthy cats belonging to four districts of Kerala, southern India, and they were investigated for the presence of hemoparasites and hemoplasmas by light microscopic examination and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The microscopic examination of the Giemsa-stained blood smears did not reveal any parasites/organisms. However, PCR followed by nucleotide sequencing could detect 10 (9.01%) out of 111 samples infected with Hepatozoon felis, 3 (2.70%) with Cytauxzoon spp., and 10 (9.01%) with Mycoplasma spp. None of the samples revealed amplicons specific for the Babesia spp. and Trypanosoma evansi. The phylogenetic analysis of 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequences of H. felis revealed the existence of two different populations of H. felis circulating in the blood of infected cats. The phylogenetic tree was constructed based on 18S rRNA gene sequences of Cytauxzoon spp. and revealed that these isolates formed a distinct clade and do not cluster with any of the isolates from other countries. Among the 10 samples positive for Mycoplasma spp. infections, 7 were detected positive for Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum, two for Mycoplasma haemofelis, and one for Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences of Mycoplasma spp. showed no distinct geographical grouping of the sequences. The sequences of M. haemofelis, Candidatus M. haemominutum, and Candidatus M. turicensis identified in the study clustered along with their respective isolates from around the world. To the best of our knowledge, this study forms the first report of molecular detection of Cytauxzoon spp. and Candidatus M. turicensis in cats from India.

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“…Hemoplasmosis was previously reported from different parts of the world (7,29,30,(35)(36)(37)(38)(39)(40). In the present study, Mycoplasma spp.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 65%

Molecular Characterization of Hemoparasites and Hemoplasmas Infecting Domestic Cats of Southern India

et al. 2021

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“…The first local case in the country was detected in 1991 in Istanbul [ 109 ]. The prevalence of hemotropic Mycoplasma in cats was 7.7% in Bursa, 17.5% in Izmir, 17.5% in Antalya, 30.8% in Ankara, 95% in Kayseri, 14.9% in Van, and 19.3% in Istanbul [ 110 , 111 ]. The DNA of this pathogen was detected in 30% of domestic cats in Spain [ 6 ], 17.2% in Serbia [ 112 ], 21.6% in Romania [ 113 ], 31% in New Zealand [ 114 ], 26% in Cyprus [ 46 ], and 13.2% in Italy [ 115 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Protozoan and Microbial Pathogens of House Cats in the Province of Tekirdag in Western Turkey

Muz

Erat

Mumcuoglu³

2021

Pathogens

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Domestic felines' re-emerging infectious and neglected zoonotic diseases are a significant focus of global "One Health" efforts. This study aimed to rapidly diagnose 14 pathogens, including zoonoses by using PCR primers in 167 client-owned symptomatic cats, routinely accepted to the Veterinary Clinics of Tekirdag. The prevalence of pathogens investigated were as follows: Babesia canis canis (24%), Babesia microti (2.4%), Hepatozoon felis (10.8%), Cytauxzoon felis (6.6%), Bartonella henselae (40.1%), Anaplasma platys (30.5%), Anaplasma phagocytophilum (7.2%), Rickettsia felis (26.3%), Borrelia burgdorferi (21%), and hemotropic Mycoplasma sp. (11.4%). There was a significant difference between the prevalence of the pathogens (?2 = 152.26, df = 9, p < 0.001). There was also a statistical difference between the gender of the cats in terms of the prevalence of all pathogens considered together (?2 = 4.80, df = 1, p = 0.028), where the female cats showed a higher prevalence. This was not the case for the different age groups (?2 = 2.92, df = 1, p=0.088). The lowest infection was observed for B. microti (p < 0.001), while the highest infection was observed for B. henselae (p < 0.01). Leishmania donovani, Plasmodium spp., Ehrlichia chaffeensis, and Neoehrlichia mikurensis PCR test results were negative in all samples. In conclusion, house cats of Tekirdag are apparently highly susceptible to some neglected zoonoses important for "One Health," and their prevalence in the region is most probably underestimated. Hence, applying PCR tests to assist fast clinic diagnosis in routine, may be an efficient option to protect the public as well as the cats from severe diseases.

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“…Although some studies have been conducted in the following years, most of them are case reports (Kurtdede & Ural, 2004;Ural et al, 2008;Aslan et al, 2010;Aslan et al, 2015). Therefore, the number of studies examining the prevalence of the disease is very limited (Akkan et al, 2005;Ural et al, 2009;Atalay et al, 2015;Cetinkaya et al, 2016). Ural et al, found the overall prevalence of the disease as 18.9% by PCR method in samples they collected from four different cities (Bursa, I…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Grindem et al (1990) determined that many different factors such as FeLV infection, anaemia, bite abscesses are the risk factors for Mycoplasma infection but not the breed (Atalay et al, 2015). Although in some studies conducted in Turkey, searchers used the cats of different breeds, there is no result about the susceptibility of these breeds to infection (Ural et al, 2009;Atalay et al, 2015;Cetinkaya et al, 2016). Cats of the same breed are constantly mated with each other so that their characteristics are not lost in cats, and kittens are born without genetic diversity.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Therefore, the probability of Mycoplasma infection in cats in Turkey would be very high. However, there are very limited studies conducted in Turkey regarding to Mycoplasma infection in cats (Akkan et al, 2005;Ural et al, 2009;Atalay et al, 2015;Cetinkaya et al, 2016), and most of them are case report (Kurtdede & Ural, 2004;Ural et al, 2008;Aslan et al, 2010;Aslan et al, 2015). Cetinkaya et al (2016) studied the prevalence of Mycoplasma infection in blood samples of 384 cats in I .…”

Section: Article History Abstractmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Response to doxycycline and oxytetracycline treatments in cats infected with Mycoplasma spp. and analysis of haemato-clinical findings and risk factors

Çetin¹,

Ekici

Küçükyildiz

et al. 2021

Trop Biomed

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This study was planned to determine the efficacy of doxycycline and oxytetracycline in the treatment of feline Mycoplasma spp. infections and to analyze risk factors as well as clinical and haematological findings. Cats accepted to the clinic with complaints such as weakness, loss of appetite and fever were routinely examined. Clinical history of animal was demanded from the owner. An interview and a short questionnaire were conducted to owner to evaluate the risk factors associated with possible Mycoplasma status of animal. During the interview, the age, sex, breed, housing, flea infestation, worm control, external parasite control, other accompanying infections and vaccination status of cats were asked and the data recorded. Peripheral blood smears were stained with the DIFF-QUICK. Fifty positive cats were included in the study, 16 of which were treated with doxycycline (orally, 5 mg/kg twice a day) while other 34 with oxytetracycline (intramuscular injection, 10 mg/kg once a day). It was determined that all (100%) cats with Mycoplasma spp. infection had a flea infestation. Majority of cats (94%) did not receive the regular antiparasitic application and only 6 (12%) of them had complete vaccinations. Mycoplasma spp. infection was associated with younger age and outdoor access. Among the feline breed, striped cat (74%) was more prone to infection. The most common clinical signs encountered in cats were weakness (94%) and anorexia (84%). Haematological parameters revealed thrombocytopenia (86%), and anaemia (40%) in infected cats. At the end of the treatment, recovery rates for doxycycline and oxytetracycline groups were 87.5% and 67.6%, respectively. General status of these cats indicated significant improvement on the 4 th day of treatment, and clinical symptoms are restored on the 7 th day. Mycoplasmosis is an important infection for cats having anaemia, thrombocytopenia and leukocytosis. Flea infestations are risk factor for contamination of the disease. Based on our results, we recommend doxycycline treatment (5 mg/kg) for up to 21 days for elimination of Mycoplasma spp. in the blood of infected cats.

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Molecular detection and prevalence of feline hemotropic mycoplasmas in Istanbul, Turkey

Cited by 10 publications

References 36 publications

Molecular Characterization of Hemoparasites and Hemoplasmas Infecting Domestic Cats of Southern India

Molecular Characterization of Hemoparasites and Hemoplasmas Infecting Domestic Cats of Southern India

Protozoan and Microbial Pathogens of House Cats in the Province of Tekirdag in Western Turkey

Response to doxycycline and oxytetracycline treatments in cats infected with Mycoplasma spp. and analysis of haemato-clinical findings and risk factors

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