Molecular diagnosis of hemotropic mycoplasmas in wild mammals

• Grant number: 24/07854-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2024
• End date: July 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Preventive Veterinary Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Felipe Fornazari
• Grantee: Natália Siqueira Ramos
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Hemotropic mycoplasmas are pleomorphic bacteria capable of infecting the surface of erythrocytes of a variety of mammalian species, including humans, and can cause anything from asymptomatic infections, which may underestimate their prevalence, to moderate or severe hemolytic anemia. In the present study blood samples obtained from wild mammals, both free-living and captive, attended by the Center for Medicine and Research in Wild Animals (CEMPAS) of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics (FMVZ), Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) Botucatu, will be subjected to molecular diagnosis by PCR in real time and positive samples for genetic sequencing followed by identification of the mycoplasma species. At the end of the study, it is expected to obtain an overview of the occurrence and genetic diversity of hemotropic mycoplasmas in wild mammals in the Botucatu region and, based on these data, individuals frequently in contact with these species can be aware of the presence of this pathogen that causes a potential zoonosis, seeking measures to prevent infection and treat symptomatic cases.