First Molecular Anaplasma capra Detection in Turkish Goats

Abstract

Anaplasma capra infection is usually asymptomatic, but it is known to cause zoonotic tick-borne diseases. A. capra's morphological characteristics and the types of cells infected (such as erythrocytes, monocytes, and neutrophil granulocytes) are unknown. Infection with A. capra was mostly found in ixodid ticks. There have been no studies on A. capra infection in goats, one of Turkey's most common farm animals. Infection with A. capra was mostly found in ixodid ticks. There have been no studies on A. capra infection in goats, one of Turkey's most common farm animals. They are required to determine their distribution, genetic diversity, vector species, and host specificity. This study aimed to investigate the A. capra pathogen in goats in Turkey's Van province. A total of 200 goat blood samples were examined. Goat samples were subjected to partial amplification of the gltA gene fragment using a nested polymerase chain reaction. A. capra DNA was detected in 0.5% of goat blood samples. Phylogenetic analysis of a partial gltA gene fragment showed that the eastern Turkey isolate, closely grouped with A. capra isolates reported from wild and domestic ruminants in France, Turkey, and Kyrgyzstan, formed a distinct clade. This is the first report of A. capra in goats in Turkey.