Detection and Molecular Characterization of Feline Hemoplasmas in Wild Felid Species in Iran in the Middle East

Overview

Journal Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis

Specialties Allergy & Immunology
Infectious Diseases
Microbiology
Veterinary Medicine

Date 2017 Sep 17

PMID 28915995

Citations 2

Authors

Fereshteh Ghazisaeedi

Nahid Atyabi

Taghi Zahraei Salehi

Saeid Tabatabaei

Iraj Ashrafi Tamai

Iman Memarian

Severine Tasker

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Three feline hemoplasma species exist in felids: Mycoplasma haemofelis, 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum', and 'Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis'. The aims of the study were to determine the presence of, and molecularly characterize, any hemoplasmas in wild felids, including the endangered Persian leopard in Iran, the Middle East. Blood samples were collected from 19 wild felids, including three Persian leopards. Using species-specific hemoplasma PCRs and ELISA serological testing for feline leukaemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), two Persian leopards were found to be infected with 'Ca. M. haemominutum' and were seropositive for FIV. Partial 16S rRNA gene sequences were generated for these 'Ca. M. haemominutum' species and subsequent phylogenetic analysis revealed 97.70% to 99.45% sequence identity with those found in domestic cats from Iran and other countries. This study confirms the presence of 'Ca. M. haemominutum' and concurrent FIV antibody in wild felids in Iran. This represents the first report of hemoplasma in wild felids in the Middle East as well as the first report of infection in Persian leopards.

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