Prevalence and risk factor analysis for feline haemoplasmas in cats from Northern Serbia, with molecular subtyping of feline immunodeficiency virus

Objectives: Estimate the prevalence of feline haemoplasma infections in Northern Serbia, identify potential risk factors and perform molecular subtyping of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). Methods: PCR analysis for feline haemoplasmas was performed on surplus EDTA blood samples from 373 cats from the Belgrade region, Serbia. ELISA was used to determine feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and FIV prevalence; PCR was performed on a subpopulation of these described below. FIV subtyping was performed using PCR. Results: Within this population, 64/373 cats (17.2%) were infected with one or more haemoplasma species. Mycoplasma haemofelis (Mhf) was detected in 20/373 cats (5.4%), ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum’ (CMhm) in 47/373 cats (12.6%), ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis’ (CMt) in 23/373 cats (6.2%). Co-infections were observed in 21/373 cats (5.6%). Based on ELISA retroviral testing, 4/310 cats (1.3%) were FeLV infected whilst 78/331 (23.6%) were FIV infected. Multivariable analysis identified significant associations between haemoplasma infection and anaemia [anaemic/non-anaemic, odds ratio (OR) 2.7, CI 1.04¬–7.1, P = 0.041], male gender (male/female, OR 4.5, CI 2.22¬–9.03, P <0.0005), outdoor access (yes/no, OR 5.2, CI 2.28–11.92, P <0.0005), non-pedigree breed (non-pedigree/pedigree, OR 5.5, CI 1.24–24.84, P = 0.025) and FIV seropositive status (positive/negative, OR 2.4, CI 1.21–4.83, P = 0.012). PCR analysis of the FIV ELISA positive samples revealed clade D as being the most prevalent. Conclusions and relevance: All three known species of feline haemoplasma were detected confirming their presence in Serbia; CMhm was the most prevalent. We found a high prevalence of FIV infected cats and clade D to be the most prevalent.