Detection of Hemotropic Mycoplasma sp. in white-eared opossums (Didelphis albiventris) from Southern Brazil

Abstract Opossums are marsupials from the New World of the genus Didelphis and known as synanthropic animals due to their proximity with human beings. To date, ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma haemodidelphis’ has been solely found infecting the North American opossum (Didelphis virginiana). Accordingly, the aim of this study was to screen eight white-eared opossums (Didelphis albiventris) from a public park in Maringa city, Paraná State, southern Brazil, for hemoplasma infection. Blood samples were taken from caudal venipuncture, and DNA was extracted and further screened by a pan-hemoplasma PCR assay. Seven out of eight (87.50%; CI 95%: 47.35-99.68%) white-eared opossums were positive for Mycoplasma spp. Sequencing of the 16S rRNA fragment showed 98,97% identity with ‘Ca. M. haemodidelphis’ detected in the USA. Three out of eight (37.50%; CI 95%: 8.52-75.51%) white-eared opossums were infested by Amblyomma dubitatum ticks. This is the first report on detection of a potentially novel hemotropic Mycoplasma sp. infecting opossums from South America.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Massini,Paula Fernanda, Drozino,Ricardo Nascimento, Otomura,Flávio Haragushiku, Mongruel,Anna Claudia Baumel, Valente,Jessica Damiana Marinho, Toledo,Max Jean de Ornelas, Martins,Thiago Fernandes, Vidotto,Odilon, Vieira,Thállitha Samih Wischral Jaime, Vieira,Rafael Felipe da Costa
Format:	Digital revista
Language:	English
Published:	Colégio Brasileiro de Parasitologia Veterinária 2019
Online Access:	http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1984-29612019000400797
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