Molecular Detection of Hemoplasmas in Cats in the States of Goiás and Rondônia

• Grant number: 22/06616-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: November 01, 2022
• End date: October 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Preventive Veterinary Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Marcos Rogério André
• Grantee: Kamila Pinheiro Francisco
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Jaboticabal. Jaboticabal , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Hemoplasmas or hemotropic mycoplasmas are small, cell wall-less bacteria that parasitize the surface of erythrocytes of humans and a wide diversity of domestic and wild mammals. Domestic cats can be parasitized by Mycoplasma haemofelis (Mhf), 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemomimutum' (CMhm) and 'Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis' (CMt). Feline hemoplasmosis, known as feline infectious anemia, is characterized by anemia in conjunction with tachycardia, tachypnea, apathy, pyrexia, dehydration, anorexia, and paleness of mucous membranes. Although hemoplasmas have been molecularly detected in cats in the states of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Sul, Bahia, Mato Grosso, Maranhão, Mato Grosso do Sul, Santa Catarina and Pará, there are no studies on the occurrence and molecular identity of hemotropic mycoplasmas in cats in the states of Goiás and Rondônia. This study aims to detect, by molecular assays, the presence of DNA of Mhf, CMhm and CMt in cats from the cities of Goiânia (GO), Senador Canedo (GO), Aparecida de Goiânia (GO) and Rolim de Moura (RO). To this end, 180 blood samples from cats from veterinary clinics, animal shelters and guardians at their homes in the municipalities of Goiânia (GO) and Rolim Moura (RO) will be used. These samples will be subjected to PCR assays for hemoplasmas based on the 16S rRNA gene. Selected positive samples will be purified, sequenced by the Sanger Method and the molecular identity will be investigated by BLASTn analysis. This study will contribute to a better understanding about the epidemiology of feline hemoplasmosis agents in Brazil.