Abstract
Mycoplasma are pleomorphic bacteria lacking a cell wall and enclosed by a single limiting membrane. A wide variety of animal species from reptiles to birds to mammals can play host to Mycoplasma spp. Many of the pneumoniae Mycoplasma are nonpathogenic, living on mucosal surfaces, particularly in the respiratory and genital tracts. Although a small number of species are significant natural pathogens, most produce disease in conjunction with other insults or disease agents.5
A captive colony of Mexican free-tail bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) experienced a sudden increased mortality. Appetite loss and weakness were noted in a small number of cases. Histologic examination of the bats identified a mild nodular lymphoplasmacytic peribronchitis and rarely, a mild tracheitis. Paraffin-embedded tissue samples were submitted for DNA sequencing, identifying Mycoplasma canis.
Mycoplasma canis is considered a commensal or urogenital tract pathogen of dogs4, although it has been found in humans1 and in the upper respiratory tract of cattle2. The lesions within the respiratory tract and identification of the associated M. canis, suggests that these bats suffered a mycoplasmal infection. It is unknown if the infection alone was severe enough to have resulted in death of the animals. Mycoplasmosis has not been reported in bats previously.3
Literature Cited
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3. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?db=pubmed. Accessed April 3, 2008. (VIN editor: link was not accessible as of 1/14/2021.)
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