Hofmann-Lehmann
Fakultäten » Vetsuisse-Fakultät » Nutztiere, Departement für » Veterinärmedizinisches Labor » Prof. Dr. Regina Hofmann-Lehmann » Hofmann-Lehmann
Completed research project
| Title / Titel | Phylogenetic and risk factor analysis for ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis’ in United Kingdom, Australian and South African pet cats | ||||||||
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| Abstract (PDF, 14 KB) | |||||||||
| Summary / Zusammenfassung | Two hemotropic mycoplasmas have been recognized in cats, named Mycoplasma haemofelis and ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum’. We recently described a third feline hemoplasma species, designated ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis’, in a Swiss cat with hemolytic anemia. This isolate induced anemia after experimental transmission to two SPF cats and analysis of the 16S rRNA gene revealed its close relationship to rodent hemotropic mycoplasmas. The agent was recently shown to be prevalent in Swiss pet cats. The aims of the current study were to investigate the presence and clinical importance of ‘Candidatus M. turicensis’ infection in pet cats outside of Switzerland, and perform the molecular characterization of isolates from different countries. A ‘Candidatus M. turicensis’ specific real-time PCR assay was applied to blood samples from 426 United Kingdom, 147 Australian and 69 South African pet cats. The 16S rRNA genes of isolates from different countries were sequenced and signalement and laboratory data for the cats were evaluated for associations with ‘Candidatus M. turicensis’ infection. Infections were detected in samples from United Kingdom, Australian and South African pet cats. Infection was associated with male gender, and ‘Candidatus M. haemominutum’ and M. haemofelis co-infection. Co-infected cats exhibited significantly lower packed cell volume (PCV) values compared to uninfected cats. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that some Australian and South African ‘Candidatus M. turicensis’ isolates branched away from the remaining isolates. In summary, ‘Candidatus M. turicensis’ infection in pet cats exists over a wide geographical area and significantly decreased PCV values are observed in cats co-infected with other feline hemoplasmas. | ||||||||
| Publications / Publikationen | Willi, B., F.S. Boretti, S. Tasker, M.L. Meli, N. Wengi, C.E. Reusch, H. Lutz, and R. Hofmann-Lehmann. 2007. From Haemobartonella to hemoplasma: molecular methods provide new insights. Vet Microbiology 125:197-209.Peters, I. R., C. R. Helps, B. Willi, R. Hofmann-Lehmann, and S. Tasker. 2007. The prevalence of three species of feline haemoplasmas in samples submitted to a diagnostics service as determined by three novel real-time duplex PCR assays. Vet Microbiology 126:142-150.Willi, B., S. Tasker, F. S. Boretti, M. G. Doherr, V. Cattori, M. L. Meli, R. G. Lobetti, R. Malik, C. E. Reusch, H. Lutz, and R. Hofmann-Lehmann. 2006. Phylogenetic and risk factor analysis for 'Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis' in United Kingdom, Australian and South African pet cats. J Clin Microbiol. J Clin Microbiol. 44:4430-4435. | ||||||||
| Keywords / Suchbegriffe | Haemobartonella felis, hemotropic mycoplasma, hemoplasma, cat, 'Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis', Mycoplasma haemofelis | ||||||||
| Project leadership and contacts / Projektleitung und Kontakte |
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| Funding source(s) / Unterstützt durch |
Forschungskredit der Universität Zürich, Foundation |
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| In collaboration with / In Zusammenarbeit mit |
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| Duration of Project / Projektdauer | Jan 2003 to Oct 2006 |