A Case Study of Photosensitivity Associated with Anaplasma spp. Infection in Cattle

Abstract

Anaplasma infection has not previously been reported as a cause of photosensitization. This case presents a five-year-old Holstein cow in her fifth month of gestation with skin injury of nonpigmented areas clearly delimited from adjacent unaffected pigmented skin. Specific lesions included alopecia, localized oedema, desquamation erythema, serous exudation, thick detached skin, fissures, crusting, and necrosis, indicating photodermatitis. Hematological abnormalities were leukocytosis with neutrophilia and normocytic hypochromic anemia. Based on a hemoparasitic examination of blood smears, the organism Anaplasma spp. was observed within the red blood cells. Biochemical analyses revealed increased serum liver enzyme activity associated with hepatocellular damage and cholestasis. This cow was RT-PCR positive for Anaplasma spp. infection. After treatment with oxytetracycline started, its condition improved within 24 h, and it recovered completely within 30 days. In this case, the underlying pathogenic mechanism of Anaplasma spp. infection facilitated the impairment of bile flow and liver function, resulting in hepatogenous photosensitization.

First Molecular Evidence of Anaplasma marginale Infection in Naturally Infected Cattle in Myanmar with Severe Hemolytic Anemia

“…Resulting in decrease the capacity of protein synthesis due to hepatocellular damage, which can further lead to hypoalbuminemia, as previously described by Anton and Solcan (2022). Human infections have been reported by A. phagocytophilum, A. capra, and A. platys (Vanstreels et al, 2018) with mild to moderate clinical symptoms, from which high liver enzymes were important predictors of anaplasmosis.…”

“…In addition to this, normocytic forms of anemia have been reported in acute anaplasmosis, whereas chronic cases with macrocytic progresses in Anaplasma spp. infected cattle Anton and Solcan (2022). Therefore, the infected cattle in this study seemed to have chronic cases of infection.…”

Strategies for the Diagnosis of Granulocytic Anaplasmosis in Two Naturally Infected Dogs

“…In Romania, several studies have been carried out regarding bacterial infection with Anaplasma phagocytophilum in animals, most of them being serological studies [ 14 , 15 ], followed by molecular studies [ 12 , 16 , 17 ]. Consequently, several animal species were tested, such as dogs [ 18 ], cattle [ 19 , 20 ], wild birds [ 21 ], red foxes [ 22 ], small mammals [ 23 ], and wild boar [ 17 ]. Concerning the granulocytic anaplasmosis agents, wild birds have a lower reservoir competence; also, foxes are a good model of sentinel species that can be suggestive of the risk posed to public health.…”