First molecular detection of Mycoplasma suis in the pig louse Haematopinus suis (Phthiraptera: Anoplura) from Argentina

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:2019
Authors:D. Belén Acosta, Ruiz, M., Sanchez, J. P.
Journal:Acta Tropica
Volume:194
Pagination:165 - 168
Date Published:06-2019
ISSN:0001706X
Keywords:16S rRNA gene, Mycoplasma suis, Porcine haemoplasmosis, Swine production
Abstract:

Porcine haemoplasmosis caused by Mycoplasma suis affects the global pig industry with significant economic losses. The main transmission route of M. suis is through the blood and some haematophagous arthropods, like flies and mosquitoes, could be the vectors to this pathogen. However, the presence of M. suis in pig haematophagous ectoparasites in natural conditions has not yet been studied. The most frequent ectoparasite in pigs is the blood-sucking louse Haematopinus suis, an obligate and permanent parasite. Therefore, this work aims to study the occurrence of M. suis in H. suis samples from both domestic and wild pig populations from Argentina; using the 16S rRNA gene. A total of 98 sucking lice, collected from domestic and wild pigs from Buenos Aires Province in central Argentina, were examined. We found M. suis DNA in 15 H. suis samples (15.30%). Positive lice were detected from all studied populations. This is the first report of M. suis presence in H. suis, being also the first detection in a pig ectoparasite species. We conclude that H. suis could serve as a mechanical vector for M. suis. This information not only extends the knowledge about the pathogen spectrum potentially transmitted by H. suis, but may be also useful in epidemiological studies about Mycoplasma.

URL:https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0001706X18315146
DOI:10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.04.007
Short Title:Acta Tropica
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