title: Differentiation of Haemobartonella canis and Mycoplasma haemofelis on the basis of comparative analysis of gene sequences.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether Haemobartonella canis and Mycoplasma haemofelis (formerly known as H felis [large form]) can be differentiated by use of comparative analysis of gene sequences.
  
  
  METHODS
  Blood samples obtained from 3 dogs infected with H canis and 2 cats infected with M haemofelis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The partial 16S rDNA and ribonuclease P RNA (RNase P) genes were amplified, cloned, and sequenced in blood samples obtained from H canis-infected dogs and M haemofelis-infected cats. The DNA sequences were subjected to comparative analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 16S rDNA sequences of H canis and M haemofelis were nearly identical (homology of 99.3 to 99.7%). In contrast, RNase P gene sequences had a lower degree of sequence homology between the 2 organisms (94.3 to 95.5%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Haemobartonella canis and M haemofelis are not identical organisms. Molecular differentiation of H canis and M haemofelis is more clearly evident by use of comparative analysis of RNase P gene sequences than by comparative analysis of 16S rDNA gene sequences.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh 27606-1428, USA.
authors.forename: Adam J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Birkenheuer
authors.forename: Edward B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Breitschwerdt
authors.forename: A Rick
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Alleman
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pitulle
mesh_terms: D000710:Anaplasmataceae / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics*; D000711:Anaplasmataceae Infections / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D002415:Cats; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000235:genetics; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D004285:Dogs; D009174:Mycoplasma / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics*; D009175:Mycoplasma Infections / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000662:veterinary; D010802:Phylogeny; D012260:Ribonucleases / Q000235:genetics; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D004275:DNA, Ribosomal; D012260:Ribonucleases