Polymerase chain reaction survey of feline haemoplasma infections in Greece

Maher, Iona E.; Tasker, Séverine; Polizopoulou, Z. S.; Dasopoulou, Anastasia; Helps, Christopher R; Papasouliotis, Kostas

doi:10.1016/j.jfms.2010.02.004

Cited by 25 publications

(48 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…This supports the previous reports that retroviral infections, especially FIV, are risk factors for haemoplasma infection [43, 46]. Consistent with previous studies [40, 45–47], our study also identified additional risk factors including age (OR = 1.1, 95% CI: 1.1–1.2, P = 0.017) and being a shelter-feral cat (OR = 2.8, 95% CI: 1.1–7.4, P = 0.043) for CMhm infection, and access to outdoors (OR = 8.7, 95% CI: 1.9–39.1, P =0.005) for infection with any haemoplasma species. Interestingly, this is the first time L. infantum infection in cats (OR = 7.3, 95% CI: 1.4–37.5, P = 0.018) has been associated with CMt infection, with Leishmania infected cats being seven times more likely to be CMt-positive.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Prevalence study and risk factor analysis of selected bacterial, protozoal and viral, including vector-borne, pathogens in cats from Cyprus

et al. 2017

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BackgroundFeline infectious agent studies are lacking in Cyprus. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence and risk factors for various feline infectious agents, including feline vector-borne pathogens (FVBP), in cats from Cyprus.MethodsA cross-sectional, descriptive, multicentre study was performed on 174 feline samples [138 owned and 36 shelter-feral, including both healthy (43) and non-healthy (131), cats] from private veterinary clinics from all six districts of Cyprus. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays were used to detect Mycoplasma haemofelis (Mhf), “Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum” (CMhm) and “Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis” (CMt). The population was tested for four FVBP including Bartonella henselae and Leishmania spp. using qPCR, while conventional PCR assays were used to detect Ehrlichia/Anaplasma spp. and Hepatozoon spp. Serological assays were performed to detect Leishmania infantum antibodies, feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) antigen and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) antibodies. Statistical analysis was performed to test associations and possible risk factors between variables and infectious agents.ResultsNinety-six (55.2%) of the 174 cats were PCR-positive for at least one infectious agent. Forty-six cats (26.4%) were haemoplasma positive, including 13 (7.5%) for Mhf, 36 (20.7%) for CMhm and 12 (6.9%) for CMt. Sixty-six cats (37.9%) were positive for Hepatozoon spp., while 19 (10.9%) were positive for B. henselae, four (2.3%) for Leishmania spp. and one (0.6%) for Ehrlichia/Anaplasma spp. Sequencing revealed the presence of Hepatozoon felis, L. infantum and Anaplasma platys. Of the 164 cats that underwent retroviral serology, 10 (6.1%) were FeLV-positive and 31 (18.9%) were FIV-positive, while L. infantum serology was positive in 7 (4.4%) of the 160 cats tested. Multivariable logistic regression revealed significant associations for various infectious agents including L. infantum with each of Hepatozoon spp. and CMt infection.ConclusionsA high prevalence of infectious agents was found in cats from Cyprus with Mhf, CMhm, CMt, L. infantum, B. henselae, H. felis, A. platys, FeLV and FIV infections reported for the first time. The significant associations between different pathogens provide a better understanding of similarities in the epidemiology of these pathogens and interactions between them.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-017-2063-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Prevalence study and risk factor analysis of selected bacterial, protozoal and viral, including vector-borne, pathogens in cats from Cyprus

et al. 2017

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“…The highest overall prevalence of haemotropic mycoplasmas in Europe (43.4%) was found in a recently reported study from Portugal, where all four feline haemotropic mycoplasmas were identified, with all four mycoplasmas co-infecting one cat [76]. In line with some other studies, male sex [69,71,72] and older age [16,71,77,78] were found significantly associated with the detection of haemotropic mycoplasma DNA in the cats from Tirana. Contradictory to Gentilini et al (2009), who suggested an association of summer season and higher prevalence of feline haemotropic mycoplasma infection because of a higher ectoparasite load which facilitates vectorial transmission of infections, own data and results of studies from Germany and Portugal [72,76,79] do not indicate a positive correlation of the presence of blood-feeding arthropods and feline haemoplasmosis.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 72%

“…Feline haemotropic mycoplasma infections are believed to have a worldwide distribution with variable prevalence in the different populations of cats [69,70]. For Albania, this is the first study to document the occurrence and prevalence of three haemotropic mycoplasmas in cats, and it is the only other study on feline haemotropic mycoplasma infection from the Balkans beside one report from Greece [71]. The overall proportion of haemotropic mycoplasma infection of almost 31% as well as the prevalence of the individual mycoplasmas, including the percentage of co-infections, were within the range of results obtained in other studies in Europe [71-75].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For Albania, this is the first study to document the occurrence and prevalence of three haemotropic mycoplasmas in cats, and it is the only other study on feline haemotropic mycoplasma infection from the Balkans beside one report from Greece [71]. The overall proportion of haemotropic mycoplasma infection of almost 31% as well as the prevalence of the individual mycoplasmas, including the percentage of co-infections, were within the range of results obtained in other studies in Europe [71-75]. The highest overall prevalence of haemotropic mycoplasmas in Europe (43.4%) was found in a recently reported study from Portugal, where all four feline haemotropic mycoplasmas were identified, with all four mycoplasmas co-infecting one cat [76].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Survey of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum, haemotropic mycoplasmas and other arthropod-borne pathogens in cats from Albania

Silaghi

Knaus²,

Rapti

et al. 2014

Parasites & Vectors

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BackgroundAlbania is a country on the western part of the Balkan Peninsula. The Mediterranean climate is favourable for the stable development of many arthropod species, which are incriminated as vectors for various agents. Recently, several papers have reported on epidemiological aspects of parasitic diseases including vector-borne disease agents of dogs with zoonotic characteristics in Albania. However, data on the epidemiology of feline parasitic and bacterial agents in Albania is scarce.MethodsSerum and EDTA-blood samples collected from 146 domestic cats from Tirana during 2008 through 2010 were examined for exposure to Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum, Leishmania infantum, and Anaplasma spp. with IFAT, for infection with L. infantum, A. phagocytophilum, Bartonella spp. and haemotropic mycoplasmas with conventional PCR and real-time PCR and for Dirofilaria immitis with antigen ELISA. Additionally blood smear microscopy was carried out for detection of blood-borne pathogens.ResultsAntibodies to T. gondii (titre ≥1:100) were demonstrated in 91 cats (62.3%). Antibodies to N. caninum (titre ≥1:100), L. infantum (titre ≥1:64) and Anaplasma spp. (titre ≥1:100) were found in the serum of 15 (10.3%), 1 (0.7%) or 3 (2.1%) cats, respectively. DNA of haemotropic mycoplasmas was detected in the blood of 45 cats (30.8%), namely Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum (21.9%), Mycoplasma haemofelis (10.3%), and Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis (5.5%), with ten cats harbouring co-infections of two mycoplasmas each; blood from one cat was PCR positive for Bartonella henselae. No DNA of Leishmania spp. and A. phagocytophilum or circulating D. immitis antigen was detected in any cat sample. The overall prevalence of haemotropic mycoplasmas was significantly higher in male compared to female cats (40.6% vs. 24.1%, p = 0.0444); and age was associated positively with the prevalence of antibodies to T. gondii (p = 0.0008) and the percentage of haemotropic mycoplasma infection (p = 0.0454).ConclusionsWith the broad screening panel including direct and indirect methods applied in the present study, a wide spectrum of exposure to or infection with parasitic or bacterial agents was detected.

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“…The frequency of feline hemoplasma species found was similar to that found in client-owned cats, blood donor cats and unhealthy non-anemic cats (GENTILINI et al, 2009;MAHER et al, 2010;SANTOS et al, 2014;DUARTE et al, 2015). However, higher or lower rates of hemoplasma infection have been reported, depending on the diagnostic technique, geographical location and population studied.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 71%

Hematological changes associated with hemoplasma infection in cats in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Raimundo

Guimarães

Botelho

et al. 2016

Rev. Bras. Parasitol. Vet.

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This study aimed to detect Mycoplasma spp. in naturally infected cats from Rio de Janeiro and to evaluate hematological abnormalities and factors associated with this infection. Out of the 197 cats sampled, 11.2% presented structures compatible with hemoplasma organisms on blood smears. In contrast, 22.8% were positive for Mycoplasma spp. by means of 16S rRNA gene real-time polymerase chain reaction, which reflects the weak concordance between techniques. The infection rates, by means of 16S rRNA gene conventional polymerase chain reaction, was 4.6%, 4.6% and 11.7% for Mycoplasma haemofelis (Mhf), ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis’ (CMt) and ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum’ (CMhm), respectively. Mhf and CMhm infections are more frequent in the summer (p>0.05). Presence of anemia (p < 0.02), lymphocytosis (p < 0.03), thrombocytopenia (p < 0.04) and activated monocytes (p < 0.04) was associated with Mhf infection. No hematological abnormality was associated with CMt or CMhm infection. Male cats were more prone to be infected by Mhf or CMhm (p < 0.01). Adult cats had more chance to be infected by CMhm. Three hemoplasma species occur in the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro and Mhf seems to be the most pathogenic of them. Anemia is the most important hematological abnormality.

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Polymerase chain reaction survey of feline haemoplasma infections in Greece

Cited by 25 publications

References 31 publications

Prevalence study and risk factor analysis of selected bacterial, protozoal and viral, including vector-borne, pathogens in cats from Cyprus

Prevalence study and risk factor analysis of selected bacterial, protozoal and viral, including vector-borne, pathogens in cats from Cyprus

Survey of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum, haemotropic mycoplasmas and other arthropod-borne pathogens in cats from Albania

Hematological changes associated with hemoplasma infection in cats in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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