Natural infection and diversity of hemotropic mycoplasmas in free-ranging Geoffroy’s cat (Leopardus geoffroyi) and margay cat (Leopardus wiedii) populations in Southern Brazil
Ugo Araújo Souza , Laura Berger , Renata Fagundes-Moreira , Vinícius Baggio-Souza , Adeyldes Reis , Rafaela Mallmann-Bohn , Aline Girotto-Soares , Felipe Bortolotto Peters , Marina Ochoa Favarini , Ana Paula M. Albano , Silvia Resende Terra , Anelise Webster , Bruno Dall’Agnol , Bruno Albuquerque de Almeida , Tatiane Campos Trigo , Stella de Faria Valle , Flávia Pereira Tirelli , José Reck , João Fabio Soares
{"title":"Natural infection and diversity of hemotropic mycoplasmas in free-ranging Geoffroy’s cat (Leopardus geoffroyi) and margay cat (Leopardus wiedii) populations in Southern Brazil","authors":"Ugo Araújo Souza , Laura Berger , Renata Fagundes-Moreira , Vinícius Baggio-Souza , Adeyldes Reis , Rafaela Mallmann-Bohn , Aline Girotto-Soares , Felipe Bortolotto Peters , Marina Ochoa Favarini , Ana Paula M. Albano , Silvia Resende Terra , Anelise Webster , Bruno Dall’Agnol , Bruno Albuquerque de Almeida , Tatiane Campos Trigo , Stella de Faria Valle , Flávia Pereira Tirelli , José Reck , João Fabio Soares","doi":"10.1016/j.vetmic.2025.110396","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Hemoplasma infection significantly impacts felines health, yet there is a research gap regarding free-ranging wild small felids. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the occurrence of hemoplasma in <em>Leopardus geoffroyi</em> and <em>Leopardus wiedii</em> in southern Brazil. For this purpose, we conducted molecular research for <em>Mycoplasma</em> spp. based on the 16S rRNA gene in 79 blood samples from captured wild felids. When positive, the samples were submitted to species-specific reactions for <em>Mycoplasma haemofelis</em> (<em>Mhf</em>), ‘<em>Candidatus</em> Mycoplasma haemominutum’ (<em>C</em>Mhm), and ‘<em>Candidatus</em> Mycoplasma turicensis’ (<em>C</em>Mt). A total of 39/79 samples were positive for at least one species of hemoplasma. The frequencies found by hemoplasma species were: 39.2 % (31/79) for <em>Mhf</em>, 17.7 % (14/79) for <em>C</em>Mhm, and 20.2 % (16/79) for <em>C</em>Mt. Factors such as species, sex, age, pelage, capture season, ectoparasite presence, and co-infection with another <em>Mycoplasma</em> were not associated with hemoplasma infection. This study provides the first evidence of circulating hemotropic mycoplasmas in free-living <em>L. geoffroyi</em> and <em>L. wiedii</em> in southern Brazil.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23551,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary microbiology","volume":"302 ","pages":"Article 110396"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4000,"publicationDate":"2025-01-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Veterinary microbiology","FirstCategoryId":"97","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378113525000318","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"MICROBIOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Hemoplasma infection significantly impacts felines health, yet there is a research gap regarding free-ranging wild small felids. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the occurrence of hemoplasma in Leopardus geoffroyi and Leopardus wiedii in southern Brazil. For this purpose, we conducted molecular research for Mycoplasma spp. based on the 16S rRNA gene in 79 blood samples from captured wild felids. When positive, the samples were submitted to species-specific reactions for Mycoplasma haemofelis (Mhf), ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum’ (CMhm), and ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis’ (CMt). A total of 39/79 samples were positive for at least one species of hemoplasma. The frequencies found by hemoplasma species were: 39.2 % (31/79) for Mhf, 17.7 % (14/79) for CMhm, and 20.2 % (16/79) for CMt. Factors such as species, sex, age, pelage, capture season, ectoparasite presence, and co-infection with another Mycoplasma were not associated with hemoplasma infection. This study provides the first evidence of circulating hemotropic mycoplasmas in free-living L. geoffroyi and L. wiedii in southern Brazil.
期刊介绍:
Veterinary Microbiology is concerned with microbial (bacterial, fungal, viral) diseases of domesticated vertebrate animals (livestock, companion animals, fur-bearing animals, game, poultry, fish) that supply food, other useful products or companionship. In addition, Microbial diseases of wild animals living in captivity, or as members of the feral fauna will also be considered if the infections are of interest because of their interrelation with humans (zoonoses) and/or domestic animals. Studies of antimicrobial resistance are also included, provided that the results represent a substantial advance in knowledge. Authors are strongly encouraged to read - prior to submission - the Editorials (''Scope or cope'' and ''Scope or cope II'') published previously in the journal. The Editors reserve the right to suggest submission to another journal for those papers which they feel would be more appropriate for consideration by that journal.
Original research papers of high quality and novelty on aspects of control, host response, molecular biology, pathogenesis, prevention, and treatment of microbial diseases of animals are published. Papers dealing primarily with immunology, epidemiology, molecular biology and antiviral or microbial agents will only be considered if they demonstrate a clear impact on a disease. Papers focusing solely on diagnostic techniques (such as another PCR protocol or ELISA) will not be published - focus should be on a microorganism and not on a particular technique. Papers only reporting microbial sequences, transcriptomics data, or proteomics data will not be considered unless the results represent a substantial advance in knowledge.
Drug trial papers will be considered if they have general application or significance. Papers on the identification of microorganisms will also be considered, but detailed taxonomic studies do not fall within the scope of the journal. Case reports will not be published, unless they have general application or contain novel aspects. Papers of geographically limited interest, which repeat what had been established elsewhere will not be considered. The readership of the journal is global.