Novel variants of the newly emerged Anaplasma capra from Korean water deer (Hydropotes inermis argyropus) in South Korea

Abstract

Background: Anaplasma spp. are tick-borne Gram-negative obligate intracellular bacteria that infect humans and a wide range of animals. Anaplasma capra has emerged as a human pathogen; however, little is known about the occurrence and genetic identity of this agent in wildlife. The present study aimed to determine the infection rate and genetic profile of this pathogen in wild animals in the Republic of Korea. Methods: A total of 253 blood samples [198 from Korean water deer (Hydropotes inermis argyropus), 53 from raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) and one sample each from a leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) and a roe deer (Capreolus pygargus)] were collected at Chungbuk Wildlife Center during the period 2015-2018. Genomic DNA was extracted from the samples and screened for presence of Anaplasma species by PCR/sequence analysis of 429 bp of the 16S rRNA gene marker. Anaplasma capra-positive isolates were genetically profiled by amplification of a longer fragment of 16S rRNA (rrs) as well as partial sequences of citrate synthase (gltA), heat-shock protein (groEL), major surface protein 2 (msp2) and major surface protein 4 (msp4). Generated sequences of each gene marker were aligned with homologous sequences in the database and phylogenetically analyzed. Results: Anaplasma capra was detected in blood samples derived from Korean water deer, whereas samples from other animal species were negative. The overall infection rate in tested samples was 13.8% (35/253) and in the water deer the rate was 17.8% (35/198), distributed along the study period from 2015 to 2018. Genetic profiling and a phylogenetic analysis based on analyzed gene markers revealed the occurrence of two distinct strains, clustered in a single clade with counterpart sequences of A. capra in the database. Conclusions: Anaplasma capra infection were detected in Korean water deer in the Republic of Korea, providing insight into the role of wildlife as a potential reservoir for animal and human anaplasmosis. However, further work is needed in order to evaluate the role of Korean water deer as a host/reservoir host of A. capra.

Identification of Zoonotic Tick-Borne Pathogens from Korean Water Deer (Hydropotes inermis argyropus)

“…The most important concern with regard to Korean water deer is that these animals are frequently exposed to ticks in mountainous regions and are naturally infected with TBPs and are thereby more likely to transmit TBDs not only to humans but also to livestock in the ROK. To date, several studies have shown that Korean water deer have become infected with various TBPs, and most of which were zoonotic pathogens (Seong et al 2015, Han et al 2017, Amer et al 2019). This study revealed that A. phagocytophilum, A. capra, B. capreoli, and C. burnetii were detected in Korean water deer, indicating that Korean water deer are reservoir hosts for zoonotic TBPs.…”

“…Here, A. capra infection was analyzed based on the gltA, groEL, and msp4 genes, and our findings indicated that there were at least two variants of A. capra circulating in the ROK. One variant originated from various hosts, including humans, ticks, goats, and sheep, whereas the other variant was found only in Korean water deer reported by another group (Amer et al 2019). This could be explained by the different tick vectors that transmit this pathogen.…”

“…In Japan, A. capra was also found in the free-living Capricornis crispus and deer (Sato et al 2009). Recently, A. capra was detected in Korean water deer and cattle in the ROK (Seo et al 2018, Amer et al 2019, and it rapidly emerged as a zoonotic pathogen; however, the specific species of ticks that carry A. capra in the ROK expanding their geographical distribution, and, subsequently, an increased risk of TBPs is likely to be a growing concern for humans and animal health (Chvostac et al 2018, Jaimes-Duenez et al 2018. Consequently, Korean water deer could be considered as a potential reservoir for A. capra.…”

“…Anaplasma is transmitted by ticks and has a wide range of hosts infecting animals and humans. Among the several Anaplasma species, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Anaplasma bovis infections have been mainly reported among wild ruminants in the ROK (Lee et al 2009, Kang et al 2011, Seong et al 2015; recently, Anaplasma capra has been identified in Korean water deer (Amer et al 2019). Mostly, A. phagocytophilum is considered to have the highest zoonotic potential and is the causative agent for tickborne fever in domestic ruminants.…”

Novel Anaplasma Variants in Small Ruminants From Central China

“…They also mentioned that 37 blood samples from asymptomatic goats were positive for an unknown Anapalsma species during 2012-2013. Following its first report as a human pathogen in 2015, A. capra has been detected in several tick species, including Ixodes persulcatus, Haemaphysalis longicornis, H. qinghaiensis, and Rhipicephalus microplus (5,10,16,17), in sheep and goats (9), in cattle (18), in dogs (19), in Korean water deer (20). These findings together with the results obtained herein suggest that additional domestic and wild animals and/or tick species might be the hosts and tick vectors of A. capra and are involved in its transmission and maintenance, a possibility the needs further investigation.…”