scholarly journals Prevalence and phylogeny of Chlamydiae and hemotropic mycoplasma species in captive and free-living bats

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janine Fritschi ◽  
Hanna Marti ◽  
Helena M.B. Seth-Smith ◽  
Sébastien Aeby ◽  
Gilbert Greub ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Bats are hosts for a variety of microorganisms, however, little is known about the presence of Chlamydiales and hemotropic mycoplasmas. This study investigated 475 captive and free-living bats from Switzerland, Germany, and Costa Rica for Chlamydiales and hemotropic mycoplasmas by PCR to determine the prevalence and phylogeny of these organisms.Results: Screening for Chlamydiales resulted in a total prevalence of 31.4%. Positive samples originated from captive and free-living bats from all three countries. Sequencing of 15 samples allowed the detection of two phylogenetically distinct groups. These groups share sequence identities to Chlamydiaceae, and to Chlamydia-like organisms including Rhabdochlamydiaceae and unclassified Chlamydiales from environmental samples, respectively.PCR analysis for the presence of hemotropic mycoplasmas resulted in a total prevalence of 0.7%, comprising free-living bats from Germany and Costa Rica. Phylogenetic analysis revealed three sequences related to other unidentified mycoplasmas found in vampire bats and Chilean bats.Conclusions: Bats can harbor Chlamydiales and hemotropic mycoplasmas and the newly described sequences in this study indicate that the diversity of these bacteria in bats is much larger than previously thought. Both, Chlamydiales and hemotropic mycoplasmas are not restricted to certain bat species or countries and captive and free-living bats can be colonized. In conclusion, bats represent another potential host or vector for novel, previously unidentified, Chlamydiales and hemotropic mycoplasmas.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janine Fritschi ◽  
Hanna Marti ◽  
Helena M.B. Seth-Smith ◽  
Sébastien Aeby ◽  
Gilbert Greub ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Bats are hosts for a variety of microorganisms, however, little is known about the presence of Chlamydiales and hemotropic mycoplasmas. This study investigated 475 captive and free-living bats from Switzerland, Germany and Costa Rica for Chlamydiales and hemotropic mycoplasmas by PCR to determine the prevalence and phylogeny of these organisms.Results: Screening for Chlamydiales resulted in a total prevalence of 31.4%. Positive samples originated from captive and free-living bats from all three countries. Sequencing of 15 samples allowed the detection of two phylogenetically distinct groups. These groups share sequence identities to Chlamydiaceae, and to Chlamydia-like organisms including Rhabdochlamydiaceae and unclassified Chlamydiales from environmental samples, respectively.PCR analysis for the presence of hemotropic mycoplasmas resulted in a total prevalence of 0.7%, comprising free-living bats from Germany and Costa Rica. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis revealed three sequences related to other unidentified mycoplasmas found in vampire bats and Chilean bats.Conclusions: Bats can harbor Chlamydiales and hemotropic mycoplasmas and the newly described sequences in this study indicate that the diversity of these bacteria in bats is much larger than previously thought. Both, Chlamydiales and hemotropic mycoplasmas are not restricted to certain bat species or countries and captive and free-living bats can be colonized. In conclusion, bats represent another potential host or vector for novel, previously unidentified, Chlamydiales and hemotropic mycoplasmas.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Janine Fritschi ◽  
Hanna Marti ◽  
Helena M. B. Seth-Smith ◽  
Sébastien Aeby ◽  
Gilbert Greub ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janine Fritschi ◽  
Hanna Marti ◽  
Helena M.B. Seth-Smith ◽  
Sébastien Aeby ◽  
Gilbert Greub ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Bats are hosts for a variety of microorganisms, however, little is known about the presence of Chlamydiales and hemotropic mycoplasma. This study investigated 475 free-living and captive bats from Switzerland, Germany and Costa Rica for the occurrence of Chlamydiales and hemotropic mycoplasma.Results: Screening for Chlamydiales was performed using a Chlamydiaceae-specific real-time PCR targeting the 23S rRNA gene and a pan-Chlamydiales PCR targeting the 16S rRNA gene resulting in a total prevalence of 31.4%. For sequencing, a PCR with the specifically designed inner primers panFseq and panRseq was performed, and criteria published by Pillonel et al. were used to classify the 19 obtained sequences, resulting in the formation of two groups. Groups one and two shared sequence identities to Chlamydiaceae and to Chlamydia-like organisms, including Rhabdochlamydiaceae and unclassified Chlamydiales from environmental samples, respectively.Analysis for the presence of hemotropic mycoplasma was performed using a universal SYBR Green hemoplasma screening real-time PCR targeting the 16S rRNA gene, real-time PCRs specific for M. haemofelis-like and 'Candidatus M. haemominutum'-like organisms and two conventional PCRs targeting an 871-bp and 1030-bp region of the 16S rRNA gene resulting in a total prevalence of 0.7%. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the 871-bp and 1030-bp region of the 16S rRNA gene were used to classify positive specimens and infer their phylogenetic relationships. Three sequences with identities to other unidentified mycoplasma found in vampire bats and Chilean bats were obtained.Conclusions: Bats can harbor Chlamydiales and hemotropic mycoplasma and the newly described sequences in this study indicate that the diversity of these bacteria in bats is much larger than thought before. Both, Chlamydiales and hemotropic mycoplasmas are not restricted to certain bat species or countries and free-living as well as captive bats can be colonized. In conclusion, bats represent another potential host or vector for novel, previously unidentified, Chlamydiales and hemotropic mycoplasma.


Zootaxa ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 2374 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
ALLEN L. NORRBOM ◽  
MARTY CONDON

The femoralis species group of the genus Blepharoneura is revised. The following 42 species, including 32 new species, are recognized: amplihyalina, n. sp. (northwestern Argentina), apaapa, n. sp. (Bolivia), aspiculosa, n. sp. (Mexico), bidigitata, n. sp. (southern Brazil), bipunctata, n. sp. (Ecuador), biseriata Wulp (Mexico), bivittata, n. sp. (Nicaragua, Costa Rica), brevivittata, n. sp. (Costa Rica to Peru), chaconi, n. sp. (Costa Rica), cornelli, n. sp. (Costa Rica), cyclantherae, n. sp. (Mexico), femoralis Wulp (Mexico to Brazil), fernandezi, n. sp. (Venezuela, northern Brazil), furcifer Hendel (Venezuela to Bolivia and Brazil), hirsuta Bates (Venezuela, Guyana, Brazil), hyalinella, n. sp. (Bolivia), io Giglio-Tos (Mexico), isolata, n. sp. (Guatemala), lutea, n. sp. (Costa Rica), macwilliamsae, n. sp. (Costa Rica), marshalli, n. sp. (northwestern Argentina), mexicana, n. sp. (Guatemala, Mexico), mikenoltei, n. sp. (Costa Rica), multipunctata, n. sp. (Ecuador), nigriapex, n. sp. (Bolivia), nigrifemur, n. sp. (Bolivia), osmundsonae, n. sp. (Mexico), punctistigma, n. sp. (Mexico to Costa Rica), quadristriata Wulp (Mexico to Costa Rica; possibly Colombia), quetzali, n. sp. (Guatemala), regina Giglio-Tos (Mexico), rupta (Wulp) (Mexico to Costa Rica), ruptafascia, n. sp. (Ecuador), septemdigitata, n. sp. (Peru, Bolivia), sinepuncta, n. sp. (Costa Rica), splendida Giglio-Tos (Mexico to Ecuador), tau, n. sp. (Costa Rica), thetis Hendel (southern Brazil), unifasciata, n. sp. (Ecuador), variabilis, n. sp. (Mexico), wasbaueri, n. sp. (Ecuador), and zumbadoi, n. sp. (Costa Rica). Blepharoneura amazonensis Lima & Leite, 1952 is considered a new synonym of B. hirsuta Bates, 1933, and a lectotype is designated for Blepharoneura furcifer Hendel, 1914. A key to species and phylogenetic analysis are provided, as well as descriptions, illustrations, distributions, and host plant data (as available) for each species.


2021 ◽  
pp. 269-278
Author(s):  
M. Lenguas Francavilla ◽  
L. Negrete ◽  
A. Martínez-Aquino ◽  
C. Damborenea ◽  
F. Brusa

Girardia Ball, 1974 is the most diverse and widely distributed genus of the family Dugesiidae (Platyhelminthes: Continenticola) in the Neotropical region. Seven out of the 52 species of the genus are known for Argentina. The Somuncurá Plateau is a region in northern Patagonia with several endemic flora and fauna, but little is known about the free-living Platyhelminthes. We describe two new species of Girardia partially inhabiting in sympatry in the Somuncurá Plateau: Girardia somuncura sp. nov. and Girardia tomasi sp. nov. The identification criteria that we followed was an integrative taxonomic approach based on morphological and molecular data. Thus, we used anatomical features focused on the reproductive system, together with a phylogenetic analysis, using a mitochondrial (COI barcode region) genetic marker. This study is the first phylogenetic analysis of the genus Girardia in which we include the southernmost representatives of America here described, thus making it possible to incorporate them in global phylogenies.


2006 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 808-812 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. W. G. van de Bildt ◽  
G. H. van Bolhuis ◽  
F. van Zijderveld ◽  
D. van Riel ◽  
J. M. Drees ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allan Artavia-León ◽  
Ariel Romero-Guerrero ◽  
Carolina Sancho-Blanco ◽  
Norman Rojas ◽  
Rodolfo Umaña-Castro

Costa Rica has a significant number of snakebites per year and bacterial infections are often complications in these animal bites. Hereby, this study aims to identify, characterize, and report the diversity of the bacterial community in the oral and cloacal cavities of venomous and nonvenomous snakes found in wildlife in Costa Rica. The snakes where captured by casual encounter search between August and November of 2014 in the Quebrada González sector, in Braulio Carrillo National Park. A total of 120 swabs, oral and cloacal, were taken from 16 individuals of the Viperidae and Colubridae families. Samples were cultured on four different media at room temperature. Once isolated in pure culture, colonies were identified with the VITEK® 2C platform (bioMérieux). In order to test the identification provided on environmental isolates, molecular analyses were conducted on 27 isolates of different bacterial species. Specific 16S rDNA PCR-mediated amplification for bacterial taxonomy was performed, then sequenced, and compared with sequences of Ribosomal Database Project (RDP). From 90 bacterial isolates, 40 different bacterial species were identified from both oral and cloacal swabs. These results indicate the diversity of opportunistic pathogens present and their potential to generate infections and zoonosis in humans.


2016 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Handan Cetinkaya ◽  
Damla Haktanir ◽  
Seckin Arun ◽  
Cem Vurusaner

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate Mycoplasma spp. species in blood samples of the domestic cats from the province of Istanbul, Turkey. Three hundred eighty four blood samples of client-owned cats were used for the identification of Mycoplasma haemofelis (Mhf), Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum (CMhm) and Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis (CMt) by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) assays. Out of 384 blood samples, 74 (19.3%) were positive for one of Mycoplasma species. The total prevalence of Mhf, CMhm and CMt infections was 9.9%, 17.7% and 0.8% respectively. The most common species was CMhm. Co-infections were mostly with Mhf/CMhm and the frequency was 8.1%. Two cats were infected with three species. The current study was the first molecular prevalence study of hemotropic mycoplasmas in Istanbul, reporting the presence of CMt for the first time in Turkey. Prevalence of feline mycoplasma was notably high in Istanbul and PCR assay could be preferred rather than the microscopic examination for the diagnosis.


2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (8) ◽  
pp. 798-802 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krystle L Reagan ◽  
Lorelei L Clarke ◽  
Jennifer R Hawley ◽  
Phillip Lin ◽  
Michael R Lappin

Objectives The objective of this study was to evaluate wild-caught mosquitoes for evidence of hemotropic Mycoplasma species DNA and to determine whether the feline hemoplasmas, Mycoplasma haemofelis (Mhf) and ‘ Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum’ (Mhm), can be transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in a laboratory setting. Methods Wild-caught mosquito pools (50 mosquitoes per pool, 84 pools) utilized in routine public health department disease surveillance programs were tested for hemotropic Mycoplasma species DNA using PCR with primers designed to amplify all known hemoplasmas. Additionally, mosquitoes were trapped in the vicinity of known feral cat colonies, pooled (50 mosquitoes per pool) and tested (84 pools). Purpose-bred cats housed in a research facility were infected with Mhf or Mhm and then colonized laboratory A aegypti were fed upon the bacteremic cats. After a 7 day incubation period, mosquitoes previously fed on infected cats were allowed to feed again on naive cats, which were monitored for bacteremia for 10 weeks. Results Mycoplasma wenyonii DNA was confirmed in one wild-caught mosquito pool by DNA sequencing. While 7% of cats tested in feral colonies were hemoplasma positive, none of the mosquitoes trapped near colonies were positive. Hemoplasma DNA was amplified from A aegypti by PCR immediately after the infectious blood meal, but DNA was not detected at 7 and 14 days after feeding. Although evidence for uptake of organisms existed, hemoplasma DNA was not amplified from the experimentally infested cats in the 10 week observation period. Conclusions and relevance While wild-caught mosquitoes contained hemoplasma DNA and laboratory reared A aegypti mosquitoes take up hemoplasmas during the blood meal, there was no evidence of biologic transmission in this model.


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