Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction detection of haemoplasmas in healthy and unhealthy dogs from Central Macedonia, Greece.
OBJECTIVE
The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of canine haemoplasmas, Mycoplasma haemocanis and "Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum" infection in Central Macedonia, Greece, and to evaluate any associations between canine haemoplasma infection and clinical presentation, selected laboratory data or the presence of ticks.


METHODS
Genomic DNA was purified from excess blood (n=151) submitted for haematological examination. Purified DNA was subjected to species-specific quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays duplexed with a canine DNA control quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Clinical records were retrospectively examined and selected clinical parameters were compared to haemoplasma infection status.


RESULTS
Nine samples were excluded due to inadequate canine DNA polymerase chain reaction results. Of the remaining 142 samples: eight (5·6%) were positive for M. haemocanis alone, six (4·2%) were positive for "Ca. M. haematoparvum" alone and one (0·7%) was dual positive. No association was found between haemoplasma status and age, sex, breed, health status, presence of anaemia, selected biochemistry parameters, presence of ectoparasites, routine ectoparasiticide treatment or the presence of selected tick-borne diseases.
School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Langford BS40 5DU.
K V
KV
Tennant
E N
EN
Barker
Z
Z
Polizopoulou
C R
CR
Helps
S
S
Tasker
D000818:Animals; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece; D008297:Male; D009174:Mycoplasma / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009175:Mycoplasma Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013045:Species Specificity
D004269:DNA, Bacterial