Hemotrophic mycoplasmas, occurrence and detection methods in animals of veterinary importance

Abstract

Hemotrophic mycoplasmas (hemoplasmas) pose a threat to animal health. During the last years, the presence of hemoplasmas around the world has significantly increased thanks to recent molecular detection methods that have been developed. Hemoplasmas cause severe alterations in the health of the host animal, either alone or in co-infection. These include cats, dogs, mice, pigs, and cattle. They cause severe anemia to chronic infection, clinical signs for which the animal may eventually die. Current interest in hemoplasmas is based on their pathogenic role at the molecular level in the host animal. This review presents information on hemoplasmas diversity and the potential for them to be considered a zoonotic risk. It also highlights the development of several molecular techniques for the diagnosis of hemoplasmas, which allow a quick and accurate detection to make decisions in case of an infection event.