Molecular detection and characterisation of species in community owned dogs of Kerala, a South Indian State.

Haemotropic mycoplasmas (haemoplasmas) are obligate epierythrocytic bacteria that infect a wide range of vertebrate hosts. The molecular characterisation of  organisms in dogs has not previously been attempted from India. Hence, in the present study, the molecular characterisation of  spp. in dogs of different zones of Kerala was attempted using gene. An overall prevalence of 18% for was detected. The NCBI-BLAST analysis of all the selected sequences revealed > 99% identity with the sequences of  The phylogenetic analysis revealed clustering of  and in a single clade indicating low genetic variability. It was further supported by the genetic distance data and haplotype analysis.