Prevalence and Molecular Characterization of Mycoplasma ovis in Selected Free-Ranging Brazilian Deer Populations

A study reveals that Mycoplasma ovis, a hemoplasma known to cause anemia and mortality in small ruminants, infects free-ranging deer populations in Brazil with significant prevalence. Analysis of 103 deer samples from Porto Primavera, Pantanal, and Emas National Park identified an overall infection rate of 58%, with the highest prevalence (72%) observed in Blastocerus dichotomus from Porto Primavera. Molecular characterization using PCR and sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene uncovered three genetically distinct hemoplasmas, including M. ovis, 'Candidatus Mycoplasma erythrocervae', and a novel strain closely related to M. ovis. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed these findings, highlighting the genetic diversity of hemoplasmas in wild deer populations.

Grazziotin, A. L., Duarte, J. M. B., Szabó, M. P. J., Santos, A. P., Guimarães, A. M. S., Mohamed, A., Vieira, R. F. d. C., de Barros Filho, I. R., Biondo, A. W., & Messick, J. B. (2011). Prevalence and Molecular Characterization of Mycoplasma ovis in Selected Free-Ranging Brazilian Deer Populations. Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 47(4), 1005–1011. https://doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-47.4.1005