Molecular surveillance and genetic diversity of Anaplasma spp. in cattle (Bos taurus) and goat (Capra aegagrus hircus) from Hainan island/province, China

Abstract

Anaplasmosis is a highly prevalent tick-borne intracellular bacterial disease that affects various host species globally, particularly ruminants in tropical and subtropical regions. However, information regarding the distribution and epidemiology of anaplasmosis in small and large ruminants on Hainan Isalnd is limited. To address this knowledge gap, the present study aimed to assess the occurrence of Anaplasma spp. infections in goats (N = 731) and cattle (N = 176) blood samples using nested PCR and conventional PCR based assays. The results revealed an overall prevalence of 30.1% in goats and 14.8% in cattle. The infection rates of A. bovis, A. phagocytophilum, A. ovis and A. capra in goat samples were 22.7%, 13.8%, 2.0% and 3.4%, respectively, while the infection rates of A. bovis, A. phagocytophilum and A. marginale in cattle samples were 11.4%, 6.3% and 5.7%, respectively. A. bovis exhibited the highest prevalence among the Anaplasma spp. in both goat and cattle samples. In addition, the most frequent co-infection was the one with A. phagocytophilum and A. bovis. It was found that the age, sex and feeding habits of cattle and goats were considered to be important risk factors. Evaluation of the risk factor relating to the rearing system showed that the infection rate for the free-range goats and cattle was significantly higher when compared with stall-feeding system.This study represents one of the largest investigations on the distribution, prevalence, and risk factors associated with Anaplasma infection in ruminants on Hainan Island, highlighting a higher circulation of the infection in the region than previously anticipated. Further reasesrch is necessary to investigate tick vectors, reservoir animals, and the zoonotic potential of the Anaplasma spp. in this endemic region of Hainan Island.

Anaplasma capra: a new emerging tick-borne zoonotic pathogen

“…The prevalence of A. capra was found to be higher in the summer months, which are more suitable for the activation of ticks, as in other tick-borne pathogens (Seo et al 2018 ; Shi et al 2019 ). Additionally, it was observed that its prevalence increased with age, and in this case, it was associated with the extension of the tick contact period (Shi et al 2019 ; Zhou et al 2023 ). It should be taken into consideration that A. capra may be chronic or persistent and its prevalence may increase with age (Rar et al 2021 ).…”