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Abbas Zadeh M, Hamidinejat H, Nikvand AA, Jalali SM, Bahrami S. Molecular and haematological investigations on Anaplasma ovis infection in goats in Ahvaz, Iran: Insights into infection rate, haemolytic effect and breed influences. Vet Med Sci 2024; 10:e1404. [PMID: 38454742 PMCID: PMC10920994 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anaplasma ovis (A. ovis) is the predominant causative agent of anaplasmosis in goats and sheep in most tropical and subtropical regions of the world. However, there is considerable variation in reported infection rates, breed susceptibility, and controversial findings regarding the haemolytic effects of A. ovis infection in goats. OBJECTIVES Thus, we investigated the molecular and haematological aspects of A. ovis infection in goats from Ahvaz city. METHODS One hundred and fifty apparently healthy goats (74 blacks and 76 Najdi goats) were randomly sampled from six flocks in the Ahvaz suburb during ticks' activity season. Haematological evaluation, smear microscopic (SM) examination and PCR assay were performed to assess A. ovis infection. Additionally, the percentage of parasitemia was determined from blood smears. RESULTS SM examination revealed that 25.7% of the goats displayed erythrocyte Anaplasma-like inclusion bodies. PCR analysis indicated that 54% of the goats were positive for A. ovis infection (44.6% of blacks and 63.2% of Najdi goats). No significant difference in haematological values was observed between healthy and infected goats based on PCR testing. However, a significant difference in haematological indices was observed between the group with parasitemia level of 0.01-0.02% (SM and PCR positive) compared to the healthy goats (SM and PCR negative), particularly concerning Hb, PCV and RBC count (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS When the parasitemia exceeds 0.01%, A. ovis infection may disrupt haematological parameters in infected goats. The high prevalence of A. ovis infection (54%) among the studied goats underscores the importance of giving special attention to implementing necessary measures for disease control in the Ahvaz suburb.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Abbas Zadeh
- Faculty of Veterinary MedicineDepartment of PathobiologyShahid Chamran University of AhvazAhvazIran
| | - Hossein Hamidinejat
- Faculty of Veterinary MedicineDepartment of PathobiologyShahid Chamran University of AhvazAhvazIran
| | - Ali Abbas Nikvand
- Faculty of Veterinary MedicineDepartment of Clinical SciencesShahid Chamran University of AhvazAhvazIran
| | - Seyedeh Missagh Jalali
- Faculty of Veterinary MedicineDepartment of Clinical SciencesShahid Chamran University of AhvazAhvazIran
| | - Somayeh Bahrami
- Faculty of Veterinary MedicineDepartment of PathobiologyShahid Chamran University of AhvazAhvazIran
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Arif M, Saeed S, Bashir A, Farooq M, Nasreen N, Khan A, Asif M, Khalil MA, Ijaz M, Muqaddas H, Mehmood N, Iqbal F, Chen CC. Molecular prevalence and phylogeny of Anaplasma marginale, Anaplasma ovis and Theileria ovis in goats and sheep enrolled from a hill station in Punjab, Pakistan. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0291302. [PMID: 37939034 PMCID: PMC10631641 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Anaplasma marginale (A. marginale), Anaplasma ovis (A. ovis) and Theileria ovis (T. ovis) are among the most commonly reported intracellular tick borne pathogens that infect ruminants across the globe causing huge economic losses. This study aims to report the prevalence and phylogenetic evaluation of these three pathogens infecting sheep and goats (n = 333) that were enrolled from Fort Munro region in Pakistan by using msp1b, msp4 and 18S rRNA genes for A. marginale, A. ovis and T. ovis respectively. Results revealed almost similar infection rates in sheep and goats with an overall prevalence of 11% for A. marginale, 28% for A. ovis and 3% for T. ovis. Concurrent infection was also recorded, however, the number of animals infected with two pathogens (n = 24; 7.2%) was higher than infection with three pathogens (n = 2; 0.6%). Risk factor analysis revealed that sheep reared in small herds had higher A. marginale (P = 0.03) and A. ovis (P = 0.04) infection rates compared to those from large herds. In addition, it was observed that bucks (P ≤ 0.05) and tick-free goats (P ≤ 0.05) exhibited higher A. ovis infection rates than nannies. Phylogenetic analysis of all three pathogens showed that Pakistani isolates were clustered together and were closely related to previously deposited Pakistani isolates as well as with those that were reported from worldwide countries. In conclusion, we are reporting that Pakistani sheep and goats have A. marginale, A. ovis and T. ovis mediated infections and control measures should be taken against them to improve the productivity of the livestock sector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Arif
- Department of Zoology, Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan
| | - Suleman Saeed
- Department of Zoology, Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan
| | - Ahsan Bashir
- Department of Zoology, Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Farooq
- Department of Zoology, Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan
| | - Nasreen Nasreen
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan, Pakistan
| | - Adil Khan
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Bacha Khan University, Charsadda, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Asif
- Institute of Zoology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
| | | | - Maryam Ijaz
- Institute of Zoology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Hira Muqaddas
- Department of Zoology, The Women University Multan, Pakistan
| | - Naunain Mehmood
- Department of Zoology, University of Sargodha, Pakistan
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Furhan Iqbal
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan, Pakistan
| | - Chien-Chin Chen
- Department of Pathology, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan
- Department of Cosmetic Science, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, Tainan, Taiwan
- Ph.D. Program in Translational Medicine, Rong Hsing Research Center for Translational Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioindustry Sciences, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
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Onyiche TE, MacLeod ET. Hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) and tick-borne diseases of sheep and goats in Africa: A review. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2023; 14:102232. [PMID: 37531888 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
Ticks are leading vectors of economically important pathogens that affect small ruminants due to favourable climatic conditions across different regions of the African continent. They are responsible for both direct and indirect economic losses in the livestock industry. This review focuses on the species diversity of hard ticks, their biology, tick-borne diseases of sheep and goats including non-infectious disease, and risk factors to tick infestation in Africa. Furthermore, our review provides recent updates on distribution of ticks and tick-borne pathogens of small ruminants in Africa. It was observed that several species and subspecies of hard ticks belonging to the genera Hyalomma (Hy), Rhipicephalus (Rh), Ixodes (I) and Amblyomma (Am) were found infesting small ruminants across the different regions of the continent. Of these genera, Rhipicephalus ticks accounts for the majority of the registered species, with exactly 27 different species infesting small ruminant stocks comprising of different developmental instars and adults of the tick. Rhipicephalus decolaratus, Rh. e. evertsi and Rh. appendiculatus were the three most common Rhipicephalus species reported. Both protozoal (Babesia and Theileria) and bacterial (Anaplasma, Rickettsia, Ehrlichia, Coxiella and Mycoplasma) pathogens have being reported to be amplified in several hard tick species and/or small ruminant hosts. Furthermore, tick paralysis and lameness were non-infectious conditions attributed to tick infestations. Amblyomma hebraeum and Rh. glabroscutatum may cause lameness in goats, while Hy. rufipes is responsible for the same condition in Merino sheep. Host paralysis due to a neurotoxin released by female Rh. e. evertsi and I. rubicundus has been documented within the continent. We therefore advocate for the need of integrated control measures against tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) including their arthropod vectors, to be performed simultaneously to ease the burden of vector-borne diseases in small ruminant production.
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Affiliation(s)
- ThankGod E Onyiche
- Deanery of Biomedical Sciences, Edinburgh Medical School, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, 1 George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, University of Maiduguri, P. M. B. 1069, Maiduguri, Nigeria; Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa.
| | - Ewan Thomas MacLeod
- Deanery of Biomedical Sciences, Edinburgh Medical School, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, 1 George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
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Kolo A. Anaplasma Species in Africa-A Century of Discovery: A Review on Molecular Epidemiology, Genetic Diversity, and Control. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12050702. [PMID: 37242372 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12050702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Anaplasma species, belonging to the family Anaplasmataceae in the order Rickettsiales, are obligate intracellular bacteria responsible for various tick-borne diseases of veterinary and human significance worldwide. With advancements in molecular techniques, seven formal species of Anaplasma and numerous unclassified species have been described. In Africa, several Anaplasma species and strains have been identified in different animals and tick species. This review aims to provide an overview of the current understanding of the molecular epidemiology and genetic diversity of classified and unclassified Anaplasma species detected in animals and ticks across Africa. The review also covers control measures that have been taken to prevent anaplasmosis transmission on the continent. This information is critical when developing anaplasmosis management and control programs in Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agatha Kolo
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
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Ulucesme MC, Ozubek S, Aktas M. Molecular Prevalence and Genetic Diversity Based on Msp1a Gene of Anaplasma ovis in Goats from Türkiye. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13051101. [PMID: 37240746 DOI: 10.3390/life13051101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Anaplasma ovis is a tick-borne obligated intraerythrocytic bacterium that infects domestic sheep, goats, and wild ruminants. Recently, several studies have been carried out using 16S rRNA and msp4 genes to identify the genetic diversity of A. ovis. Instead of these genes, which are known to be highly stable among heterologous strains, Msp1a, which is accepted as a stable molecular marker to classify A. marginale strains, was used in A. ovis genetic diversity studies. The genetic diversity of A. ovis strains according to the Msp1a gene has not been extensively reported. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the genetic diversity of A. ovis in goats specifically using analysis of the Msp1a gene. Blood samples were taken from the vena jugularis to the EDTA tubes from 293 randomly selected goats (apparently healthy) in the Antalya and Mersin provinces of Mediterranean region of Türkiye. The Msp1a gene of A. ovis was amplified in all DNA samples through the use of PCR, using a specific set of primers named AoMsp1aF and AoMsp1aR. Among the amplified products, well-defined bands with different band sizes were subjected to sequence analysis. The obtained sequence data were converted into amino acid sequences using an online bioinformatics program and the tandem regions were examined. The Msp1a gene of A. ovis was amplified in 46.1% (135 out of 293) of the goats. Through tandem analysis, five distinct tandems (Ao8, Ao18, Tr15-16-17) were identified, and it was found that three of these tandems (Tr15-16-17) were previously unknown and were therefore defined as new tandems. The study also involved examination of ticks from goats. It was observed that the goats in the area were infested with several tick species, including Rhipicephalus bursa (888/1091, 81.4%), R. turanicus (96/1091, 8.8%), Dermacentor raskemensis (92/1091, 8.4%), Hyalomma marginatum (9/1091, 0.8%), and R. sanguineus s.l. (6/1091, 0.5%). This study provides important data for understanding the genetic diversity and evolution of A. ovis based on tandem repeats in the Msp1a protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehmet Can Ulucesme
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Firat, Elazig 23119, Türkiye
| | - Sezayi Ozubek
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Firat, Elazig 23119, Türkiye
| | - Munir Aktas
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Firat, Elazig 23119, Türkiye
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