First Detection of Hemotropic Mycoplasma sp. in Cetaceans of European Waters

Abstract

Simple Summary Mycoplasma spp. are bacteria that can be classified as hemoplasmas, which infect red blood cells, or non-hemotropic Mycoplasma, which do not infect blood cells. Hemoplasmas can cause disease and death in animals with compromised immune systems. To date, among cetaceans, hemoplasmas have only been reported in species from the Americas. In this study, we surveyed hemoplasma in 68 cetaceans of Europe, stranded in Spanish regions of Cantabria and the Valencian Community. Hemoplasma DNA was detected in 11.8% (8/68) cetaceans, all striped dolphins of the Valencian Community. Two genetic sequences were detected: one was identical to a hemoplasma previously detected in a common dolphin from Brazil, while the other was more related to hemoplasmas reported in riverine dolphins of Brazil and terrestrial mammals. This study provides the first evidence of hemoplasma in cetaceans in Europe and expands the known geographic distribution of these bacteria. The potential health significance of these findings remains unknown.