Spatial distribution and molecular epidemiology of hemotropic Mycoplasma spp. and Mycoplasma haemocanis infection in dogs from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

• Published in: Infection, genetics and evolution Vol. 87; p. 104660
• Main Authors: Barbosa, Marllon V., Paulino, Patrícia G., Camilo, Tays A., Martins, Débora, Paulis, Leo, Senne, Nathália A., Ramirez, Olga Lucia H., Angelo, Isabele C., Massard, Carlos L., Santos, Huarrisson A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01-01-2021
• Subjects: 16S rRNA; Canids; Canine Mycoplasmosis; Haemoplasma; Haemoplasma; 16S rRNA; Canine Mycoplasmosis; Canids
• ISSN: 1567-1348; 1567-7257
• DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2020.104660

This cross-sectional study aims to investigate the epidemiology and spatial distribution of hemotropic Mycoplasma spp. and Mycoplasma haemocanis in dogs from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Blood samples were collected at random from 437 household dogs. An epidemiological questionnaire was completed concerning the host characteristics as well as the environments in which they lived. A positivity frequency of 17.84% (78/437) was found for Mycoplasma spp. and 2% (9/437) for M. haemocanis in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, through molecular detection based on the 16S rRNA sequence. According to the present study, dogs that live in households with the presence of rodents (odds ratio [OR] = 9.93; p-value = 0.02; confidence interval [CI]: 1.34–73.66) and wild animals (OR = 1.91; p-value = 0.03; CI: 1.06–3.42) are more likely to be infected with Mycoplasma spp.. Also, dogs with tick infestation (OR = 6.47; p-value = 0.007; CI: 1.63–25.60) have more chances to become infected with M. haemocanis. The spatial analysis disclosed a positive correlation between the Mycoplasma presence and tick infestation (global Moran index = 0.82; pseudo-p-value =0.001). The epidemiological findings support the hypothesis of Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. as the vector of M. haemocanis in the studied region and provide insightful information to prevent the Mycoplasma spp. infection in dogs from Rio de Janeiro
•Presence of rodents and wild animals are associated with Mycoplasma spp. infection in dogs.•Tick infestation is associated with Mycoplasma haemocanis infection in dogs.•Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. may act as natural vector for Mycoplasma haemocanis.