Hemotropic Mycoplasmas (Hemoplasmas) in Free-Ranging Azara's Agoutis (Dasyprocta azarae) from an Urban Area of Southern Brazil

• DOI: 10.7589/jwd-d-23-00079
• Publication Date: 2024-04-19T17:53:06Z
• Authors: Nelly O. Elshafie; Louise B. Kmetiuk; Maysa Pellizzaro; Amanda Haisi; Francisco de O. C...; Patricia Weckerlin; Leila S. Ullmann; João P. Araújo Ju...; Joanne B. Messick; Alexander W. Biondo; Andrea P. dos Santos
• Keywords: Curitiba

Hemotropic mycoplasmas (hemoplasmas) are opportunistic bacteria that attach to the erythrocyte surface, causing infectious anemia in several mammalian species, including rodents. Studies surveying native Azara's agoutis (Dasyprocta azarae) Brazil lacking. Accordingly, present study aimed assess hemoplasmas infection free-ranging from an urban environmental conservation area Curitiba, southern Brazil. Overall, 11/35 (31.43%) were positive by quantitative PCR (cycle threshold≤34.4). Sequencing of 16S ribosomal RNA gene indicated Mycoplasma haemomuris infection, closely related M. subsp. ratti, suggesting hemoplasma transmission rats agoutis. Because main route has been direct rodent-to-rodent relatively lower positivity we detected may be result low intraspecies contact due smaller social units agoutis, generally consisting two four individuals, and interspecies only sporadic agouti-rat interactions settings, compared with other rodent species interactions. Further studies should conducted determine whether found can cause clinical onset life-threatening