Molekularna detekcija hemotropnih mikoplazmi u mačaka

master's thesis

• Author: Petra Piršić
• Mentor: Josipa Habuš (mentor)
• Committee member: Matko Perharić (predsjednik povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Suzana Hađina (član povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Josipa Habuš (član povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Zrinka Štritof (član povjerenstva)
• Granter: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; Zagreb
• Defense date and country: 2023-02, Croatia
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE; Veterinary Medicine; Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety

Abstract

Hemotropne mikoplazme su bakterije iz roda Mycoplasma koje nemaju staničnu stijenku i ne mogu
se kultivirati. Tri su vrste koje mogu inficirati mačke; Mycoplasma haemofelis, ´Candidatus
Mycoplasma haemominutum i ´Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis. Način prijenosa ovih bakterija
još nije potpuno razjašnjen; pretpostavlja se da glavnu ulogu u prijenosu imaju vektori i kontakt sa
krvlju do kojeg dolazi tijekom agresivnih interakcija između mačaka. Nakon infekcije, ove
bakterije prihvaćaju se za eritrocite domaćina i mogu uzrokovati hemolitičku anemiju. Prevalencija
infekcije mačjim hemotropnim mikoplazmama znatno se razlikuje u pojedinim geografskim
područjima, a podatci o prevalenciji u Hrvatskoj potpuno nedostaju. Stoga je cilj ovog istraživanja
bio primjeniti molekularnu metodu lančane reakcije polimerazom i utvrditi učestalost infekcije
hemotropnim mikoplazmama u mačaka - pacijenata Sveučilišne veterinarske bolnice. Dodatno su
istraženi mogući rizični čimbenici povezani s infekcijom. Lančanom reakcijom polimerazom
ukupno je pretraženo 105 arhiviranih uzoraka pune krvi mačaka, prikupljanih tijekom proljeća i
ljeta 2021. godine. Utvrđena je ukupna prevalencija od 22,86%. Učestalost infekcija bila je
značajno viša u anemičnih životinja, a veća vjerojatnost infekcije utvrđena je u muških mačaka te
općenito u starijih životinja. Životinje inficirane mačjim virusom imunodeficijencije također su
bile statistički značajno podložnije infekciji hemotropnim mikoplazmama. Naši rezultati početak
su istraživanja molekularne detekcije hemotropnih mikoplazmi mačaka u Hrvatskoj. U daljnjim
istraživanjima pomoću detaljnijih, strukturiranih anamnestičkih podataka, potrebno je analizirati
veći broj rizičnih čimbenika infekcije i utvrditi klinički značaj infekcije pojedinim vrstama
hemotropnih mikoplazmi.

Abstract (english)

Hemotropic mycoplasmas are a group of bacteria of the Mycoplasma genus that do not have a cell
wall and cannot be cultured. Three species are known to infect cats; Mycoplasma haemofelis,
´Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum and ´Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis. The mode of
transmission of these bacteria is not fully understood; it is assumed that the main role in
transmission is through vectors and contact with blood that occurs during aggressive interactions
between cats. After infection, these bacteria are attach to host's erythrocytes and can cause immunemediated hemolytic anemia. The prevalence of feline hemotropic mycoplasma infection varies
significantly in certain geographical areas, and there is a complete lack of data on the prevalence
in Croatia. Therefore, the aim of this research was to apply the molecular method of polymerase
chain reaction and determine the frequency of infection with hemotropic mycoplasmas in cats -
patients of the University Veterinary Hospital. In addition, possible risk factors for infection were
investigated. A total of 105 archived whole blood samples of cats, collected during the spring and
summer of 2021, were analyzed for the presence of hemotropic mycoplasmas using conventional
polymerase chain reaction (PCR). An overall prevalence of 22.86% was determined. The frequency
of infections was significantly higher in anemic animals, and a higher probability of infection was
found in male cats and in older animals in general. Animals infected with feline immunodeficiency
virus were also statistically significantly more susceptible to hemotropic mycoplasma infection.
Our results are the beginning of research on the molecular detection of hemotropic mycoplasmas
in cats in Croatia. For further research, more detailed, structured anamnestic data should be used,
it is necessary to analyze a larger number of risk factors for infection and to determine the clinical
significance of infection with certain types of hemotrophic mycoplasmas.

• Keywords: hemotropne mikoplazme; prevalencija; PCR; mačka
• Keywords (english): hemotropic mycoplasmas; prevalence; PCR; cat
• Language: croatian
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:178:521395
• Study programme: Title: Veterinary Medicine; Study programme type: university; Study level: integrated undergraduate and graduate; Academic / professional title: doktor/doktorica veterinarske medicine (doktor/doktorica veterinarske medicine)
• Type of resource: Text
• File origin: Born digital
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2023-03-08 09:34:27