MOLECULAR DETECTION OF MYCOPLASMA HAEMOCANIS AND CANDIDATUS MYCOPLASMA HAEMATOPARVUM IN RHIPICEPHALUS SANGUINE US TICK SPECIES COLLECTED FROM DOGS IN ADANA PROVINCE OF TURKEY

Abstract

Mlycoplasma haemocanis (Mhc) and Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum (CMhp) arc hemo-tropic mycoplasma species known to be specific to dogs. Rhipicephalus sanguineus (sensu lam) ticks have been suggested to bc the main vector in transmission; but a clear relationship between tick infestation and the disease has yet to be established under field conditions. This study aimed to investigate the presence of Mhc and CMhp in R. sanguineus (s.1.) s.ticks that arc considered to be a possible vector for hemoplasma infections, Using the species -specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, the presence of Mhc. and CMhp was investigated in total of 312 archived adult tick samples collected from 63 pet dogs kept in the municipal dog shelter of Adana province located in the Mediterranean region of Turkey. Although R. sanguineus (s.1.) ticks tested negative for Mhc, 2.56% (n = 8) were positive for CMhp. There was a statistically significant difference in the Mhc and CMhp detection rates in R. sanguineus (s.1.) ticks (2.56%; 95% CI: 0.81 - 4.31; P < 0.05). To our knowledge, this is the first study to reveal the presence of CAlhp in R. sanguineus (s.l.) ticks collected from dogs in Turkey.