CanAnaplasma ovisin Small Ruminants be Neglected any Longer?

Abstract

SummaryAnaplasma species are obligate intracellular rickettsial pathogens transmitted by ticks with an impact on human and animal health. Anaplasma ovis infects sheep and goats in many regions of the world, and it can be diagnosed by different methods like Giemsa staining, PCR or competitive ELISA. In this study, a PCR based on the gene coding for major surface protein 4 (MSP-4) was used to examine field samples collected from sheep in different countries. Altogether, 1161 blood samples from Turkey (n = 830), Iraq (n = 195), Sudan (n = 96) and Portugal (n = 40) were examined, of which 31.4%, 66.6% 41.6% and 82.5%, respectively, were positive. This indicates high prevalence of A. ovis in the countries under investigation, and it can be assumed that the situation in other areas of the world might be similar. Thus, A. ovis should be considered as an important constraint of livestock production, and further efforts are needed to better understand the epidemiology and to implement suitable control measures.

Molecular investigation and phylogeny of Anaplasmataceae species infecting domestic animals and ticks in Corsica, France

“…Anaplasma ovis is an intraerythrocytic pathogen of sheep, goats and wild ruminants [18]. It is thought to cause only mild clinical symptoms, thus being of minor economic importance [19]. Ovine anaplasmosis appears to be widespread and found in different regions of the world.…”

Cell tropism and molecular epidemiology of Anaplasma platys-like strains in cats

“…Anaplasma marginale poses a considerable constraint to animal health and similarly to A. centrale infects red blood cells of cattle and wild ruminants (Dumler et al, 2001(Dumler et al, , 2005a. A. ovis is a neglected obligate intraerythrocytic pathogen of small ruminants, and should be considered an important constraint to livestock production (Inokuma, 2007;Renneker et al, 2013). The monocytic A. bovis causes anaplasmosis in ruminants and small mammals while A. phagocytophilum has significant impact on public health for being the agent of human and animal granulocytic anaplasmosis, and preferentially infects neutrophil granulocytes of ruminants, dogs, horses, and humans (Dumler et al, 2005a,b;Inokuma, 2007;Rar and Golovljova, 2011;Zobba et al, 2014).…”

European Network for Neglected Vectors and Vector-Borne Infections COST Action Guidelines: What Is This About and What Is This For?

“…Ticks are regarded as primary vectors, with different cell types targeted by these agents in a replication cycle, including invasion of salivary glands and transmission in saliva released during blood feeding. Alternative transmission routes include mechanical transfer by other hematophagous arthropods or fomites such as contaminated veterinary instruments, and transfusiontransmitted infections (Leiby and Gill 2004, Aubry and Geale 2011, Renneker et al 2013, Shields et al 2015. Anaplasma spp.…”

“…Anaplasmosis is a challenging disease in terms of diagnosis because clinical presentation may vary greatly depending on the agent involved, the affected host, and other factors such as immune status and coinfections (Kocan et al 2010, Gaunt et al 2010, Aubry and Geale 2011, Renneker et al 2013, Bakken and Dumler 2015. The substantial economic impact associated with livestock infection, the zoonotic potential, and the risk of transfusion-transmitted infection, determines the need for accurate direct laboratory tests.…”