Tick-borne infections in small ruminants in northern Europe

Investigation of Anaplasma Species with Veterinary and Public Health Significance in Sheep and Goats

PURPOSE

This study was carried out to investigate Anaplasma important for veterinary and public health in sheep and goats in Niğde province in Türkiye by using molecular methods.

METHODS

Blood samples were taken from randomly selected 690 animals (520 sheep and 170 goats), which were between 1 and 10 years old and from different study sites in Niğde by using the vacutainer tubes containing EDTA. After the genomic DNA extractions samples, the Anaplasma spp. 16S rRNA genes were amplified by PCR. Species-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were performed on positive samples for the presence of A. bovis, A. capra, A. ovis, A. platys-like, and A. phagocytophilum. At the same time, the animals were tested for ixodid tick infestation and collected ticks were examined for identification under the stereo-microscope.

RESULTS

The results of PCR analysis show that the overall A. ovis prevalence was 63.3% (437/690) in small ruminants sampled. A total of 361 sheep (69.4%) and 76 goats (44.7%) were found to be infected with A. ovis, whereas no positivity was detected for A. bovis, A. capra, A. platys-like, and A. phagocytophilum. Anaplasma ovis positivity was observed at the highest percent in May (%74.6) while the lowest in June (%52.4). In total, 1361 ticks (579♀, 782♂) were collected from sheep and goats in Niğde. Ticks were identified as Rhipicephalus bursa (383, 28.1%), R. turanicus (607, 44.6%), Hyalomma marginatum (7, 0.5%), Hy. excavatum (247, 18.1%), Hy. anatolicum (23, 1.7%), Haemophsalis parva (21, 1.5%), Hae. punctata (7, 0.5%), Hae. sulcata (40, 2.9%) and Dermacentor marginatus (26, 1.9%).

CONCLUSION

The present study reports a high prevalence of A. ovis 63.3% (437/690) in sheep and goats in Niğde province.

Opening the Black Box of Host Range, Vectorial Diversity, and Genetic Variants of Genus Anaplasma: The Contributing Factors Toward Its Zoonosis

Background: Genus Anaplasma of the family Anaplasmataceae possesses bacteria of hematopoietic origin, which are obligate intracellular Gram-negative bacteria transmitted mainly by tick vectors. The members of this group of infectious agents are not new as etiological agents of animal diseases worldwide. However, now, reports of their zoonotic potential have gained currency to study these pathogens. The emergence of new species of Anaplasma and the spread of existing species to new areas and hosts highlight the importance of monitoring and improving diagnostic and treatment options for zoonotic diseases caused by Anaplasma. Conclusion: This review focuses on the general and distinctive characteristics of Anaplasma spp., with particular emphasis on the novel species and their diverse spectrum of hosts as potential risk factors impacting its emerging zoonosis.

A review on acute phase response in parasitic blood diseases of ruminants

Parasitic blood diseases (theileriosis, babesiosis, anaplasmosis, and trypanosomiasis) are common in regions where the distributions of the hosts, parasites, and vectors are convergent. They endanger animal production, and a few are also harmful to public health. The acute phase reaction (APR) is a complex, non-specific reaction that occurs in various events, including surgical trauma, infection, stress, inflammation, and neoplasia. To understand pathogenesis, we must study APR effects and acute phase proteins (APPs) alterations in naturally occurring and experimental infections. The elevation of haptoglobin (Hp), Serum amyloid A (SAA), and fibrinogen concentrations was markedly significant in bovine and ovine theileriosis. Hp, SAA, ceruloplasmin, and fibrinogen concentrations in anaplasmosis were dramatically elevated. A significant increase in SAA was observed in bovine babesiosis, while ovine babesiosis showed a significant rise in sialic acid levels. In cases of trypanosomiasis caused by T. vivax, there have been reports of elevated levels of Hp, complement C3, and antitrypsin. Improving our understanding of APR could result in more effective methods for diagnosis, treatment, control, and eradication of diseases. The article provides an overview of APPs alterations and other inflammation-related parameters (some cytokines, adenosine deaminase, and sialic acids) in parasitic blood diseases of ruminants.

Tick-Borne Hemoparasites of Sheep: A Molecular Research in Turkey

Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) indulge in severe economic losses in the livestock industry by adversely affecting the small ruminant breeding in tropical and subtropical zone countries, including Turkey. Turkey encompasses a wide land area representing diverse climatic conditions. The present study explored the presence and distribution of Babesia ovis, Theileria ovis, Theileria lestoquardi, Anaplasma ovis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and the co-occurrence status of these pathogens. A total of 299 sheep blood samples were collected from fifteen provinces located in six different geographical regions in Turkey. PCR analyses were executed using species-specific primers based on Babesia ovis BoSSU rRNA, Theileria ovis ToSSU rRNA, Theileria lestoquardi 18S rRNA, Anaplasma ovis Major Surface Protein (AoMSP4), and Anaplasma phagocytophilum 16S rRNA genes. Overall, 219 (73.24%) sheep were found to be infected with at least one of the following protozoan and rickettsial pathogens; B. ovis, A. ovis,T. ovis, and A. phagocytophilum. Theileria lestoquardi was not detected in any blood sample. The global prevalence of B. ovis, A. ovis, T. ovis, and A. phagocytophilum was estimated to be 2.68%, 16.05%, 41.47%, and 57.19%, respectively. Besides this, dual (24.41%), triple (9.03%), and quadruple (0.67%) co-infections were detected in the study. Phylogenetic analysis revealed significant nucleotide sequence identities between the sequences obtained in this study and the sequences registered in the GenBank. This study provides relevant data regarding the predominance of ovine tick-borne protozoan and rickettsial agents in Turkey. A high molecular prevalence of tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) was identified in the study. This situation indicates that TBPs should be screened continuously, and necessary control measures should be taken to prevent diseases caused by tick-borne protozoan and rickettsial agents.

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

BACKGROUNDS

Corsica is a French island situated in the Mediterranean Sea. The island provides suitable natural conditions to study disease ecology, especially tick-borne diseases and emerging diseases in animals and ticks. The family Anaplasmataceae is a member of the order Rickettsiales; it includes the genera Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Neorickettsia and Wolbachia. Anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis traditionally refer to diseases caused by obligate intracellular bacteria of the genera Anaplasma and Ehrlichia. The aim of this study was to identify and estimate the prevalence of Anaplasmataceae species infecting domestic animals and ticks in Corsica.

METHODS

In this study, 458 blood samples from sheep, cattle, horses, goats, dogs, and 123 ticks removed from cattle, were collected in Corsica. Quantitative real-time PCR screening and genetic characterisation of Anaplasmataceae bacteria were based on the 23S rRNA, rpoB and groEl genes.

RESULTS

Two tick species were collected in the present study: Rhipicephalus bursa (118) and Hyalomma marginatum marginatum (5). Molecular investigation showed that 32.1% (147/458) of blood samples were positive for Anaplasmataceae infection. Anaplasma ovis was identified in 42.3% (93/220) of sheep. Anaplasma marginale was amplified from 100% (12/12) of cattle and two R. bursa (2/123). Several potentially new species were also identified: Anaplasma cf. ovis, "Candidatus Anaplasma corsicanum", "Candidatus Anaplasma mediterraneum" were amplified from 17.3% (38/220) of sheep, and Anaplasma sp. marginale-like was amplified from 80% (4/5) of goats. Finally, one R. bursa tick was found to harbour the DNA of E. canis. All samples from horses and dogs were negative for Anaplasmataceae infection.

CONCLUSIONS

To our knowledge, this study is the first epidemiological survey on Anaplasmataceae species infecting animals and ticks in Corsica and contributes toward the identification of current Anaplasmataceae species circulating in Corsica.