Molecular prevalence of bovine hemoplasmosis in Turkey with first detection of Mycoplasma wenyonii and Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos in cattle and water buffalo

Hemoplasma species can cause infection varying from mild to severe in a wide range of hosts, including cattle and water bufalo. Two hemoplasma species, Mycoplasma wenyonii and Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos, have been reported in cattle and water bufalo from diferent parts of the world to date. There was a lack of information on the presence and distribution of these pathogens in Turkey despite the negative economic impact on livestock production. This study aimed to develop a duplex PCR assay amplifying the 16S rRNA gene, in order to analyze DNA samples obtained from 297 cattle and 360 water bufaloes, and to determine the molecular prevalence of bovine hemoplasma species in Sivas province. Bovine hemoplasma species were found in 94 of 297 (31.64%) cattle and in 17 of 360 (4.72%) water bufaloes in this study. Randomly selected six positives PCR products (three samples each species) obtained from cattle and water bufaloes were sequenced, and the consensus sequences were uploaded to GenBank. Nucleotide similarity of 96.97–100% was determined between M. wenyonii isolates obtained in this study and those of M. wenyonii isolates present in the GenBank database, whereas C. Mycoplasma haemobos isolates from this study shared 99.04–100% homology with the C. Mycoplasma haemobos isolates uploaded to the GenBank. With the current study, the molecular presence of M. wenyonii and C. Mycoplasma haemobos were documented for the frst time in cattle and water bufaloes in Turkey. Considering the rate of prevalence, veterinarians should take precautions against bovine hemoplasma species to protect animal health.