Molecular survey of haemoplasmas in shelter dogs and associations with Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato.

This study aimed to assess the occurrence of canine haemoplasma infection in domestic dogs and its possible trans-stadial transmission by Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (Ixodida: Ixodidae) in shelter dogs in Diyarbakır Province in southeast Turkey. Blood samples (n = 282) collected from domestic dogs were analysed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the presence of canine haemoplasma. Fully engorged nymphs (n = 204) were removed from dogs that were positive for canine haemoplasma by PCR and maintained in an incubator at 28 °C for moulting. Unfed ticks (n = 2185) comprising 2100 nymphs and 85 adults collected from the grounds of the same shelter were also screened. Of 282 dogs, 108 [38.3%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 32.6-44.2] were PCR-positive for canine haemoplasmas. Mycoplasma haemocanis (Mhc) infection (26.2%, 95% CI 21.2-31.8) was observed in a significantly higher number of dogs than was Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum (CMhp) infection (6.7%, 95% CI 4.1-10.3). Co-infections were seen in 15 (5.3%, 95% CI 3.0-8.6) dogs. None of the tick specimens examined were found to be positive for haemoplasma. Partial sequences of the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene shared 99-100% identity with the corresponding published sequences for Mhc and CMhp. The present results revealed no trans-stadial transmission of canine haemoplasma species by R. sanguineus s.l. in field conditions.