SORVEGLIANZA PER EMOPLASMI FELINI IN SUD ITALIA 2007-2011

The prevalence of feline haemoplasma infections in blood samples collected from cats in southern Italy between 2007 and 2011 was evaluated. A convenience-sample of 314 cats (136 healthy; 178 non-healthy;) was screened by polymerase chain reaction using several sets of primers. The overall prevalence of Haemoplasma infections was 18,0% in the samples collection examined in this study. The prevalence was 9,5% for 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum', 6,5% for Mycoplasma haemofelis and 2% for 'Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis'. Interestingly, the prevalence was significantly higher in symptomatic (28%) rather than in healthy animals (6%). Also, free-ranging male individuals older than 2 years were more exposed to risks of infection by these pathogens. These findings indicate that haemoplasma infections are common in Italy