Molecular detection and identification of hemotropic Mycoplasma species in dogs, cats, and their ectoparasites in Iran

BACKGROUND AND ABJECTIVEHemotropic Mycoplasma species are vector-borne bacteria that attach and grow on the surface of erythrocytes in various mammals, yet reports of canine and feline hemoplasmosis in Iran are scarce. The aim of this study was molecular detection and identification of hemoplasmas in the blood of dogs and cats from different regions of Iran.MATERIALS AND METHODSFrom December ۲۰۱۸ to February ۲۰۲۱, a total of ۳۷۰ dogs from Hamedan, Kermanshah, Yazd, Amol and Ahvaz, and ۳۶۱ cats from Tehran, Hamedan, Kermanshah, Yazd, Kerman and Mashhad were examined clinically, their bodies were searched for collection of ectoparasites, and cephalic or saphenous blood specimens were collected. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood and ectoparasite specimens and the presence of hemotropic Mycoplasma DNA was detected using group-specific, and identified using species-specific conventional PCRs detecting Mycoplasma haemocanis (Mhc), Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum (CMhp), Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum (CMhm), Mycoplasma haemofelis (Mhf) and Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis (CMt) followed by Sanger sequencing. Correlation of infection and risk factors (geographical area, keeping condition, body condition, sex, age, infestation with ectoparasite) were analyzed.RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONIn group-specific PCR, ۲۱۰ dogs (۵۶.۷%) and ۵۷ cats (۱۵.۷%) tested PCR-positive for hemotropic Mycoplasma. Species-specific PCR and sequencing revealed infection with Mhc in ۱۷.۸%, with CMhp in ۷.۰۲% and with both parasites in ۳۱.۹% of dogs. In cats, positivity rates of ۱۰.۲% for CMhm, ۲.۲% for Mhf, ۰.۹% for CMt and ۲.۵۰% for both CMhm and Mhf (co-infection) were recorded. Flea infestation, poor body condition, and being older than ۳-years-old correlated with hemoplasmosis. Ectoparasites collected from dogs included Ctenocephalides canis and Pulex irritans fleas, Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato ticks, Heterodoxus spiniger lice and Hippobosca longipennis keds in which DNA of hemoplasmas were detected only in fleas i.e. Mhc in P. irritans, CMhp in P. irritans and C. canis, and co-infection with Mhc an CMhp in C. canis collected from dogs. No ectoparasite was collected from cats.CONCLUSIONTo our knowledge, this is the first large-scale molecular epidemiology study of canine and feline hemoplasmosis in Iran. Considering the high prevalence of canine and feline hemoplasmosis all over the country including potentially zoonotic CMhp in dogs, and CMhm in cats, effective ectoparasite control strategies, regular examination of dogs and cats, successful chemoprophylaxis and public awareness strategies are advocated.

کلیدواژه ها:

blood ، cat ، dog ، ectoparasite ، PCR ، hemoplasma ، one health