Detection and Characterization of Hemotropic Mycoplasmas in Bats in Chile

Abstract

Hemoplasma DNA was found in 22% (12/55) of samples from six bat species in Chile, including one of three big-eared brown bats (<i>Histiotus macrotus</i>), one of three small big-eared brown bats (<i>Histiotus montanus</i>), and 10 of 27 Chilean myotis (<i>Myotis chiloensis</i>). Characterization of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene identified three genotypes phylogenetically related to other bat, rodent, and human hemoplasmas.