Molecular detection of haemotropic Mycoplasma species in urban and rural cats from Portugal

Abstract

Objectives The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of haemoplasma infection in cats in Portugal and to assess risk factors for infection. Methods Real-time polymerase chain reaction techniques were used to assess 236 urban and rural cats from central and southern Portugal. Results The overall prevalence of haemoplasma in the target population was 27.1% (64/236), with individual species’ prevalences as follows: 17.8% (42/236) ‘ Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum’ (CMhm), 14.4% (34/236) Mycoplasma haemofelis (Mhf) and only 5.9% (14/236) ‘ Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis’ (CMt). Multiple infections were detected in 8.1% (19/236) of the samples, with triple and double infections with Mhf and CMhm being most commonly detected (5.9% [14/236] of cats). Haemoplasma infection was significantly higher in shelter cats ( P = 0.015) than in cats with other lifestyles (eg, free-roaming/house pet/blood donors). Haemoplasma prevalence was also higher in cats with feline immunodeficiency virus infection (FIV; P = 0.011). Although sex was not significantly associated with haemoplasma infection ( P = 0.050), CMt was predominantly found in males ( P = 0.032). Also, the presence of haemoplasma multiple infections was statistically associated with being in a shelter ( P = 0.021), male ( P = 0.057) and with FIV co-infection ( P = 0.004). No evidence of an association between haemoplasma infection and geographical location, age or feline leukaemia virus co-infection was found. Conclusions and relevance The results obtained in our study are consistent with the documented worldwide prevalence of feline haemoplasma infections, suggesting that the three main feline haemoplasma species are common in Portugal.