Camelidae and Cervidae Mycoplasma haemolamae – NAVLE Study Guide

Overview and Clinical Importance

Candidatus Mycoplasma haemolamae (CMh), formerly known as Eperythrozoon species or "EPE," is a hemotropic mycoplasma (hemoplasma) that infects erythrocytes of South American camelids (llamas, alpacas, guanacos, and vicunas). This wall-less, Gram-negative bacterium attaches to red blood cell membranes and can cause infectious anemia ranging from subclinical to life-threatening. Understanding this pathogen is critical for NAVLE/BCSE success as it represents a unique hemoparasite with specific diagnostic and treatment considerations in camelid medicine.

In cervids (deer species), related hemoplasmas including Mycoplasma ovis-like organisms and novel species such as Candidatus Mycoplasma haemocervae and Candidatus Mycoplasma erythrocervae have been identified, causing similar clinical presentations of anemia and lethargy, particularly in captive or farm-raised deer populations.

Etiology and Taxonomy

Classification

Candidatus Mycoplasma haemolamae belongs to the class Mollicutes, order Mycoplasmatales, family Mycoplasmataceae. The "Candidatus" designation indicates that this organism has not been fully cultured in vitro, preventing official species designation. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing, CMh is phylogenetically most closely related to Mycoplasma wenyonii (cattle) and Mycoplasma suis (swine).