Cytauxzoon felis and 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum' coinfection in a Brazilian domestic cat (Felis catus)

Rev Bras Parasitol Vet. 2013 Apr-Jun;22(2):289-91. doi: 10.1590/S1984-29612013000200049.

Abstract

This article describes the first detection of Cytauxzoon felis, using molecular techniques, in a naturally infected domestic cat from Brazil, South America. Coinfection with 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum' was also found. The molecular identification of the piroplasmid species was performed by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and sequencing analysis. A 284 pb fragment of the gene encoding the 18S ribosomal RNA region was amplified and showed 99% identity with other C. felis strains from North America. In addition, PCR-RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) analysis, which amplifies a 595 bp fragment of the gene encoding 16S ribosomal RNA of some bacterial species, identified the co-infecting species as 'Candidatus M. haemominutum'.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apicomplexa*
  • Brazil
  • Cat Diseases / microbiology*
  • Cat Diseases / parasitology*
  • Cats
  • Coinfection*
  • Mycoplasma Infections / microbiology
  • Mycoplasma Infections / parasitology
  • Mycoplasma Infections / veterinary*
  • Pets
  • Protozoan Infections, Animal / microbiology*
  • Protozoan Infections, Animal / parasitology*