Prevalence and diagnosis of hemotrophic mycoplasma infection in research sheep and its effects on hematology variables and erythrocyte membrane fragility.

ABSTRACT: Hemotrophic mycoplasma (hemoplasma) infection in research sheep can confound experimental results and contribute to morbidity and mortality. Prevalence and clinicopathologic studies historically relied on blood-smear diagnosis, but systematic studies using current molecular techniques are warranted. Here we sought to report the prevalence of subclinical infection in our study population, compare diagnostic sensitivity and specificity between blood smears and a PCR assay, and determine the effects of infection on CBC variables and erythrocyte membrane fragility. We collected whole-blood samples from 111 convenience-sampled research sheep. All samples were tested for hemoplasmas by using a PCR assay, blood smears were evaluated for visual presence of hemoplasmas, and CBC and osmotic fragilit

SUBMITTER: Hampel JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4275084 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature