Detection of hemotropic mycoplasmas in free-living brown sewer rats (Rattus norvegicus)

J Vet Med Sci. 2013 Jul 31;75(7):979-83. doi: 10.1292/jvms.13-0023. Epub 2013 Feb 22.

Abstract

The prevalence of hemotropic mycoplasmas in wild rodents is largely unknown. Here, we report the presence of hemoplasmas in blood samples collected from brown sewer rats (Rattus norvegicus) trapped during rodent control around an animal hospital in Morioka, Japan. We examined nine rats using real-time PCR and end-point PCR, and found one rat (11.1%) that was positive for a hemoplasma infection. The 16S rRNA gene and 16S to 23S rRNA intergenic spacer region of the hemoplasma detected in a wild-caught rat were amplified using PCR. The nucleotide sequences of the PCR products were further determined and compared to those of other hemoplasmas. Our examinations revealed the presence of a hemoplasma that has not previously been described in rodents. The pathogenic traits of this hemoplasma remain unexplored.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • DNA Primers / genetics
  • DNA, Ribosomal Spacer / genetics
  • Japan / epidemiology
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mycoplasma Infections / epidemiology
  • Mycoplasma Infections / veterinary*
  • Mycoplasma*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
  • Prevalence
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / genetics
  • Rats*
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
  • Rodent Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Rodent Diseases / microbiology*
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA / veterinary
  • Species Specificity

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • DNA, Ribosomal Spacer
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AB752303