Novel hemotropic Mycoplasma species in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)

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Abstract

Globally, hemotropic Mycoplasma spp. are emerging or re-emerging zoonotic pathogens that affect livestock, wildlife, companion animals, and humans, potentially causing serious and economically important disease problems. Little is known about hemotropic Mycoplasma spp. prevalence, host-specificity, or route of transmission in most species, including wildlife. DNA amplification by PCR targeting the 16SrRNA and the RNaseP genes was used to establish the presence and prevalence of hemotropic Mycoplasma spp. in a white-tailed deer (O. virginianus) population in eastern North Carolina. Sixty-five deer (89%) tested positive for hemotropic Mycoplasma spp. where sequence analysis of the 16SsRNA and the RNaseP genes indicated the presence of at least three distinct species. This study represents the first detection of three distinct hemotropic Mycoplasma species in white-tailed deer and the first report of two novel hemotropic Mycoplasma species.

Introduction

Hemotropic Mycoplasma spp. (hemoplasmas) are cell-wall deficient, obligate epierythrocytic bacteria that infect numerous animal species, including humans. Infections are often chronic and sub-clinical; however, animals can develop hemolytic anemia, particularly when: immunosuppressed; stressed from poor nutrition, pregnancy or lactation; or concurrently infected with other, more virulent pathogens or more than one Mycoplasma species [1], [2], [3], [4]. Globally, Mycoplasma spp. are emerging or re-emerging zoonotic pathogens that affect livestock [5], [6], [7], [8], [9], [10], [11], wildlife [12], [13], [14], [15], [16], [17], companion animals [1], [4], [18], [19], [20], [21], [22], and humans [23], [24], [25], [26], [27], [28], causing potentially serious and economically important diseases problems.

Mycoplasma ovis, a hemoplasma parasite of sheep and goats [7], [8], [9], [10], has been associated with lethargy and anemia of varying severities in captive reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) and in farm-raised white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) [13], [16]. A high rate of infection with Mycoplasma ovis – like organisms has been also reported in several other cervids species (Blastocerus dichotomus, Mazama nana, and Mazama americana) raised in captivity [15] as well as in free ranging species (B. dichotomus, Ozotocerus bezoarticus, and O. bezoarticus) [14]. More recently, M. ovis or infection with a Mycoplasma ovis – like organisms has been also described infecting dogs [22] and humans [23], [25] highlighting the potential zoonotic potential of this species.

The objective of this study was to determine the molecular prevalence of hemotropic Mycoplasma species in 73 free-ranging white-tailed deer (O. virginianus) from a hunting preserve in eastern North Carolina.

Section snippets

Sample selection

During a population health assessment in July 2008 and March 2009, 73 white-tailed deer (13 males and 60 female) from eastern North Carolina were surveyed for the presence of Mycoplasma spp. Hofmann Forest (∼34°53′ N, ∼77°23′ W), owned and managed by the North Carolina State Natural Resources Foundation, is a 31,565-acre tract managed for loblolly pine production. Hofmann Forest has nine hunt clubs (>400 members) that use hounds to hunt white-tailed deer (estimated population of 2000–5000 deer)

Gross examination of animal condition

Gross examination of animal condition post-mortem did not show any signs indicative of clinical abnormalities. Packed cell volumes did not indicate anemia in either collection period. PCV samples averaged 45% (SD = 5.6, n = 28) in July, and PCV average was 53% (SD = 6.6, n = 30) in March [29].

Blood DNA analysis

A total of 65/73 DNA samples (89%) tested positive for Mycoplasma spp. amplification using primers targeting a region expanding 1300 bp of the 16S rRNA gene. Sequence homology analysis of 12 randomly selected

Discussion

Hemotropic Mycoplasma spp. (‘hemoplasmas’, formerly classified as Haemobartonella and Eperythrozoon spp.) appear to have co-evolved with many animals species. The development of molecular assays, primarily targeting the 16S rRNA gene of these microbes, has resulted in the recent recognition of several novel human [23], [24], [25], [27], [32] and animal hemoplasmas [13], [21], [31], [33], [34], [35], [36], [37], [38], [39], [40], [41], [42], [43]. DNA screening of 73 white-tailed deer blood

Acknowledgements

This project was funded by the North Carolina State Natural Resources Foundation, Inc., the NCSU Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, and the NCSU Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Program. The research protocol outlined here was approved by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and the North Carolina State University (NCSU) Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (08-082-O). We thank the numerous undergraduate, graduate, and veterinary students for

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