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Gandy S, Hansford K, McGinley L, Cull B, Smith R, Semper A, Brooks T, Fonville M, Sprong H, Phipps P, Johnson N, Medlock JM. Prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in questing Ixodes ricinus nymphs across twenty recreational areas in England and Wales. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2022; 13:101965. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.101965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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2
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Test comparison for the detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum antibodies in goats, and prevalence of granulocytic anaplasmosis in goats from Northern California and Southern Oregon. Small Rumin Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2021.106608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Athanasiou LV, Tsokana CN, Katsogiannou EG, Boutsini S, Katsoulos PD. Evaluation of an Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay for the Detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum Antigen in Ovine Buffy Coat Smears. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10020276. [PMID: 35208729 PMCID: PMC8876794 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10020276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Diagnosis of anaplasmosis is challenging considering the great variation in clinical signs and the limitations of the available diagnostic assays, while the detection of carrier animals that play a significant role in disease epidemiology as reservoirs is of great significance. In this study, we evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of a newly developed indirect immunofluorescent assay (Ag-IFAT) for the detection of A. phagocytophilum antigens in buffy coat specimens, alone and in combination with cytology, using PCR as a reference. Blood samples were collected from 138 sheep of the Chios breed from six farms in Greece. A buffy coat was extruded from the centrifuged blood. Buffy coat smears were used for cytological examination and the Ag-IFAT assay. The Ag-IFAT assay presented excellent specificity (100%) and high sensitivity (85.4%) for the detection of A. phagocytophilum antigens in buffy coats, and it has an almost perfect agreement with PCR and cytology (κ value = 0.88 and 0.85, respectively). A. phagocytophilum antigens are likely to be detected using Ag-IFAT in a PCR-positive animal, as indicated by the good performance of the assay. Overall, this assay presents high diagnostic accuracy, and it could be used for the detection of animals during the early stage of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Labrini V. Athanasiou
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Greece; (L.V.A.); (C.N.T.); (E.G.K.)
| | - Constantina N. Tsokana
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Greece; (L.V.A.); (C.N.T.); (E.G.K.)
| | - Eleni G. Katsogiannou
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Greece; (L.V.A.); (C.N.T.); (E.G.K.)
| | - Sofia Boutsini
- Parasitology–Parasitic Diseases, Entomology and Bee Health Department, Veterinary Centre of Athens, General Directorate of Veterinary Services, 15341 Athens, Greece;
| | - Panagiotis D. Katsoulos
- Clinic of Farm Animals, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54627 Thessaloniki, Greece
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +30-2310-994-455; Fax: +30-2310-994-455
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Springer A, Glass A, Topp AK, Strube C. Zoonotic Tick-Borne Pathogens in Temperate and Cold Regions of Europe-A Review on the Prevalence in Domestic Animals. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:604910. [PMID: 33363242 PMCID: PMC7758354 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.604910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks transmit a variety of pathogens affecting both human and animal health. In temperate and cold regions of Europe (Western, Central, Eastern, and Northern Europe), the most relevant zoonotic tick-borne pathogens are tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), Borrelia spp. and Anaplasma phagocytophilum. More rarely, Rickettsia spp., Neoehrlichia mikurensis, and zoonotic Babesia spp. are identified as a cause of human disease. Domestic animals may also be clinically affected by these pathogens, and, furthermore, can be regarded as sentinel hosts for their occurrence in a certain area, or even play a role as reservoirs or amplifying hosts. For example, viraemic ruminants may transmit TBEV to humans via raw milk products. This review summarizes the role of domestic animals, including ruminants, horses, dogs, and cats, in the ecology of TBEV, Borrelia spp., A. phagocytophilum, Rickettsia spp., N. mikurensis, and zoonotic Babesia species. It gives an overview on the (sero-)prevalence of these infectious agents in domestic animals in temperate/cold regions of Europe, based on 148 individual prevalence studies. Meta-analyses of seroprevalence in asymptomatic animals estimated an overall seroprevalence of 2.7% for TBEV, 12.9% for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.), 16.2% for A. phagocytophilum and 7.4% for Babesia divergens, with a high level of heterogeneity. Subgroup analyses with regard to animal species, diagnostic test, geographical region and decade of sampling were mostly non-significant, with the exception of significantly lower B. burgdorferi s.l. seroprevalences in dogs than in horses and cattle. More surveillance studies employing highly sensitive and specific test methods and including hitherto non-investigated regions are needed to determine if and how global changes in terms of climate, land use, agricultural practices and human behavior impact the frequency of zoonotic tick-borne pathogens in domestic animals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Christina Strube
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany
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Razanske I, Rosef O, Radzijevskaja J, Bratchikov M, Griciuviene L, Paulauskas A. Prevalence and co-infection with tick-borne Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Babesia spp. in red deer ( Cervus elaphus) and roe deer ( Capreolus capreolus) in Southern Norway. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE 2019; 8:127-134. [PMID: 30766793 PMCID: PMC6360459 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2019.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Revised: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Babesia spp. are causative agents of tick-borne infections that are increasingly considered as a threat to animal and public health. To assess the role of cervids in the maintenance of zoonotic pathogens in Norway, we investigated the prevalence of A. phagocytophilum and Babesia spp. in free-ranging roe deer and red deer. Initial screening of spleen samples of 104 animals by multiplex real-time PCR targeting the major surface protein (msp2) gene and 18S rRNA revealed the presence of A. phagocytophilum infection in 81.1% red deer (Cervus elaphus) and 88.1% roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), and Babesia spp. parasites in 64.9% red deer and 83.6% roe deer, respectively. Co-infections were found in 62.2% red deer and 79.9% roe deer. Nested PCR and sequence analysis of partial msp4 and 18S rRNA genes were performed for molecular characterization of A. phagocytophilum strains and Babesia species. A total of eleven A. phagocytophilum msp4 gene sequence variants were identified: five different variants were 100% identical to corresponding A. phagocytophilum sequences deposited in the GenBank database, while other six sequence variants had unique nucleotide polymorphisms. Sequence analysis of the 18S rRNA gene demonstrated the presence of multiple Babesia species, including Babesia capreoli, Babesia divergens, Babesia venatorum and Babesia odocoilei/Babesia cf. odocoilei. This study is the first report demonstrating the prevalence and molecular characterization of A. phagocytophilum strains and Babesia species in roe deer and red deer in Norway. The high infection and co-infection rates with A. phagocytophilum and Babesia spp. in red deer and roe deer suggest that these cervids may play an important role in the transmission of single and multiple pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irma Razanske
- Department of Biology, Vytautas Magnus University, Vileikos 8, LT -444404, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Olav Rosef
- Department of Biology, Vytautas Magnus University, Vileikos 8, LT -444404, Kaunas, Lithuania.,Rosef Field Research Station, Frolandsveien 2667, 4828, Mjåvatn, Norway
| | - Jana Radzijevskaja
- Department of Biology, Vytautas Magnus University, Vileikos 8, LT -444404, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Maksim Bratchikov
- Department of Biology, Vytautas Magnus University, Vileikos 8, LT -444404, Kaunas, Lithuania.,Department of Physiology, Biochemistry, Microbiology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, M.K. Čiurlionio 21, LT-03101, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Loreta Griciuviene
- Department of Biology, Vytautas Magnus University, Vileikos 8, LT -444404, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Algimantas Paulauskas
- Department of Biology, Vytautas Magnus University, Vileikos 8, LT -444404, Kaunas, Lithuania
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Stuen S, Okstad W, Sagen AM. Intrauterine Transmission of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Persistently Infected Lambs. Vet Sci 2018; 5:vetsci5010025. [PMID: 29495651 PMCID: PMC5876579 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci5010025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2018] [Revised: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 02/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Anaplasma phagocytophilum, which causes the disease tick-borne fever (TBF), is the most important tick-borne pathogen in European animals. TBF may contribute to severe welfare challenges and economic losses in the Norwegian sheep industry. The bacterium causes a persistent infection in sheep and several other animal species. The objective of this study was to investigate whether intrauterine transmission occurs in persistently infected sheep. The study included thirteen 5–6-month-old unmated ewes, of which twelve were experimentally infected with A. phagocytophilum (GenBank acc. no. M73220). Four to six weeks later, all ewes were mated, and nine became pregnant. Blood samples were collected from these ewes and their offspring. If the lamb died, tissue samples were collected. The samples were analyzed with real-time PCR (qPCR) targeting the msp2 gene. PCR-positive samples were further analyzed by semi-nested PCR and 16S rDNA sequencing. A total of 20 lambs were born, of which six died within two days. Six newborn lambs (30%) were PCR-positive (qPCR), of which one was verified by 16S rDNA sequencing. The present study indicates that intrauterine transmission of A. phagocytophilum in persistently infected sheep may occur. The importance of these findings for the epidemiology of A. phagocytophilum needs to be further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Snorre Stuen
- Section for Small Ruminant Research, Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, N-4325 Sandnes, Norway.
| | - Wenche Okstad
- Section for Small Ruminant Research, Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, N-4325 Sandnes, Norway.
| | - Anne Mette Sagen
- Section for Small Ruminant Research, Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, N-4325 Sandnes, Norway.
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First molecular evidence for the presence of Anaplasma DNA in milk from sheep and goats in China. Parasitol Res 2016; 115:2789-95. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-016-5028-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2015] [Accepted: 03/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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Brown WC, Barbet AF. Persistent Infections and Immunity in Ruminants to Arthropod-Borne Bacteria in the Family Anaplasmataceae. Annu Rev Anim Biosci 2015; 4:177-97. [PMID: 26734888 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-animal-022513-114206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Tick-transmitted gram-negative bacteria in the family Anaplasmataceae in the order Rickettsiales cause persistent infection and morbidity and mortality in ruminants. Whereas Anaplasma marginale infection is restricted to ruminants, Anaplasma phagocytophilum is promiscuous and, in addition to causing disease in sheep and cattle, notably causes disease in humans, horses, and dogs. Although the two pathogens invade and replicate in distinct blood cells (erythrocytes and neutrophils, respectively), they have evolved similar mechanisms of antigenic variation in immunodominant major surface protein 2 (MSP2) and MSP2(P44) that result in immune evasion and persistent infection. Furthermore, these bacteria have evolved distinct strategies to cause immune dysfunction, characterized as an antigen-specific CD4 T-cell exhaustion for A. marginale and a generalized immune suppression for A. phagocytophilum, that also facilitate persistence. This indicates highly adapted strategies of Anaplasma spp. to both suppress protective immune responses and evade those that do develop. However, conserved subdominant antigens are potential targets for immunization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendy C Brown
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164;
| | - Anthony F Barbet
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611;
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Huhn C, Winter C, Wolfsperger T, Wüppenhorst N, Strašek Smrdel K, Skuballa J, Pfäffle M, Petney T, Silaghi C, Dyachenko V, Pantchev N, Straubinger RK, Schaarschmidt-Kiener D, Ganter M, Aardema ML, von Loewenich FD. Analysis of the population structure of Anaplasma phagocytophilum using multilocus sequence typing. PLoS One 2014; 9:e93725. [PMID: 24699849 PMCID: PMC3974813 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0093725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2013] [Accepted: 03/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Anaplasma phagocytophilum is a Gram-negative obligate intracellular bacterium that replicates in neutrophils. It is transmitted via tick-bite and causes febrile disease in humans and animals. Human granulocytic anaplasmosis is regarded as an emerging infectious disease in North America, Europe and Asia. However, although increasingly detected, it is still rare in Europe. Clinically apparent A. phagocytophilum infections in animals are mainly found in horses, dogs, cats, sheep and cattle. Evidence from cross-infection experiments that A. phagocytophilum isolates of distinct host origin are not uniformly infectious for heterologous hosts has led to several approaches of molecular strain characterization. Unfortunately, the results of these studies are not always easily comparable, because different gene regions and fragment lengths were investigated. Multilocus sequence typing is a widely accepted method for molecular characterization of bacteria. We here provide for the first time a universal typing method that is easily transferable between different laboratories. We validated our approach on an unprecedented large data set of almost 400 A. phagocytophilum strains from humans and animals mostly from Europe. The typability was 74% (284/383). One major clonal complex containing 177 strains was detected. However, 54% (49/90) of the sequence types were not part of a clonal complex indicating that the population structure of A. phagocytophilum is probably semiclonal. All strains from humans, dogs and horses from Europe belonged to the same clonal complex. As canine and equine granulocytic anaplasmosis occurs frequently in Europe, human granulocytic anaplasmosis is likely to be underdiagnosed in Europe. Further, wild boars and hedgehogs may serve as reservoir hosts of the disease in humans and domestic animals in Europe, because their strains belonged to the same clonal complex. In contrast, as they were only distantly related, roe deer, voles and shrews are unlikely to harbor A. phagocytophilum strains infectious for humans, domestic or farm animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Huhn
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Christina Winter
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Timo Wolfsperger
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Nicole Wüppenhorst
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Katja Strašek Smrdel
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jasmin Skuballa
- Department of Ecology and Parasitology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Miriam Pfäffle
- Department of Ecology and Parasitology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Trevor Petney
- Department of Ecology and Parasitology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Cornelia Silaghi
- Comparative Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Viktor Dyachenko
- Institute for Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Reinhard K. Straubinger
- Institute for Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Martin Ganter
- Clinic for Swine and Small Ruminants, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Matthew L. Aardema
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, United States of America
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Berzina I, Krudewig C, Silaghi C, Matise I, Ranka R, Müller N, Welle M. Anaplasma phagocytophilum DNA amplified from lesional skin of seropositive dogs. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2014; 5:329-35. [PMID: 24637068 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2013.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2013] [Revised: 12/19/2013] [Accepted: 12/24/2013] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Canine granulocytic anaplasmosis (CGA) is caused by the rickettsial microorganism Anaplasma phagocytophilum. CGA is typically characterized by fever, thrombocytopenia, lethargy, anorexia, arthropy, and other nonspecific clinical signs. Skin lesions have been described in naturally infected lambs and humans. The pathophysiology of CGA is not entirely clear, and the persistence of the organism after the resolution of clinical signs has been described. The aim of the study was to investigate if A. phagocytophilum can be detected in canine lesional skin biopsies from A. phagocytophilum-seropositive dogs with etiologically unclear skin lesions that improved after the treatment with doxycycline. Paraffin-embedded lesional skin biopsies were allocated into separate groups: biopsies from A. phagocytophilum-seropositive dogs responsive to treatment with doxycycline (n=12), biopsies from A. phagocytophilum-seronegative dogs (n=2), and biopsies in which skin lesions histopathologically resembled a tick bite (n=10). The serological status of the latter group was unknown. Histology of the seropositive and seronegative dog skin lesions did not indicate an etiology. DNA was extracted, and a conventional PCR for partial 16S rRNA gene was performed. Anaplasma phagocytophilum DNA was amplified from 4/12 seropositive dogs' skin biopsies. All sequences were 100% identical to the prototype A. phagocytophilum human strain (GenBank accession number U02521). Anaplasma phagocytophilum was not amplified from the 2 seronegative and 10 suspected tick bite dogs. Serum antibody titers of the PCR-positive dogs ranged from 1:200 to 1:2048. Histopathologically, a mild-to-moderate perivascular to interstitial dermatitis composed of a mixed cellular infiltrate and mild-to-moderate edema was seen in all seropositive dogs. In 8/12 seropositive dogs, vascular changes as vasculopathy, fibrinoid necrosis of the vessel walls, and leukocytoclastic changes were observed. In summary, our results support the hypothesis that the persistence of A. phagocytophilum in the skin may be causative for otherwise unexplained skin lesions in seropositive dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inese Berzina
- Preclinical Institute, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Latvia University of Agriculture, Jelgava, Latvia; Institute of Animal Pathology, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Christiane Krudewig
- Institute of Animal Pathology, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Cornelia Silaghi
- Institute for Comparative Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Ilze Matise
- Preclinical Institute, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Latvia University of Agriculture, Jelgava, Latvia
| | - Renate Ranka
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Center, Riga, Latvia
| | - Norbert Müller
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Monika Welle
- Institute of Animal Pathology, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Temporal and spatial variation in Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in Swedish moose (Alces alces). Epidemiol Infect 2013; 142:1205-13. [PMID: 24001524 PMCID: PMC4045167 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268813002094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
SUMMARY The occurrence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum was investigated in spleen and serum samples from Swedish moose (Alces alces) in southern Sweden (island and mainland). Samples were analysed for presence of A. phagocytophilum DNA by real-time PCR (n = 263), and for Anaplasma antibodies with ELISA serology (n = 234). All serum samples had antibodies against A. phagocytophilum. The mean DNA-based prevalence was 26·3%, and significant (P < 0·01) temporal, and spatial variation was found. Island moose had significantly (P < 0·001) higher prevalence of A. phagocytophilum DNA than moose from the mainland areas. Two samples were sequenced to determine genetic variation in the 16S rRNA and groESL genes. Genetic sequence similarity with the human granulocytic anaplasmosis agent, equine granulocytic ehrlichiosis agent, and different wildlife-associated A. phagocytophilum variants were observed in the 16S rRNA and groESL genes. Our study shows that moose are exposed to A. phagocytophilum in Sweden, and represent a potential wildlife reservoir of the pathogen.
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Silaghi C, Scheuerle MC, Friche Passos LM, Thiel C, Pfister K. PCR detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in goat flocks in an area endemic for tick-borne fever in Switzerland. Parasite 2011; 18:57-62. [PMID: 21395206 PMCID: PMC3671408 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2011181057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Central Switzerland is a highly endemic region for tick-borne fever (TBF) in cattle, however, little is known about A. phagocytophilum in goats. In the present study, 72 animals from six goat flocks (373 EDTA blood-samples) in Central Switzerland were analysed for A. phagocytophilum DNA. A real-time PCR targeting the msp2 gene of A. phagocytophilum was performed and in positive samples the partial 16S rRNA, groEL and msp4 gene were amplified for sequence analysis. Four DNA extracts were positive. Different sequence types on basis of the amplified genes were found. For comparison, sequences of A. phagocytophilum from 12 cattle (originating from Switzerland and Southern Germany) were analysed. The 16S rRNA gene sequences from cattle were all identical amongst each other, but the groEL and msp4 gene differed depending on the origin of the cattle samples and differed from the variants from goats. This study clearly provides molecular evidence for the presence of different types of A. phagocytophilum in goat flocks in Switzerland, a fact which deserves more thorough attention in clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Silaghi
- Institute of Comparative Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Leopoldstr. 5, 80802 Munich, Germany
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Haemorrhagic diathesis in a ram with Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection. J Comp Pathol 2010; 144:82-5. [PMID: 20591440 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2010.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2010] [Revised: 03/17/2010] [Accepted: 04/29/2010] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
A 10-month-old ram with fever, inappetence and haemorrhagic diathesis had petechiae and ecchymoses at various body sites and was infested by ticks. Haematological examination revealed pancytopenia, while serum biochemistry indicated hepatic dysfunction. Blood smears were negative for Ehrlichia spp. and other haemoparasites. Paired sera revealed infection by Anaplasma phagocytophilum, but testing by polymerase chain reaction was negative. Treatment with oxytetracycline was effective. This is the first reported clinical case of ovine anaplasmosis in Greece caused by A. phagocytophilum.
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Granquist EG, Bårdsen K, Bergström K, Stuen S. Variant -and individual dependent nature of persistent Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection. Acta Vet Scand 2010; 52:25. [PMID: 20398321 PMCID: PMC2859769 DOI: 10.1186/1751-0147-52-25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2009] [Accepted: 04/15/2010] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anaplasma phagocytophilum is the causative agent of tick-borne fever in ruminants and human granulocytotropic anaplasmosis (HGA). The bacterium is able to survive for several months in immune-competent sheep by modifying important cellular and humoral defence mechanisms. Little is known about how different strains of A. phagocytophilum propagate in their natural hosts during persistent infection. METHODS Two groups of five lambs were infected with each of two 16S rRNA gene variants of A. phagocytophilum, i.e. 16S variant 1 which is identical to GenBank no M73220 and 16S variant 2 which is identical to GenBank no AF336220, respectively. The lambs were infected intravenously and followed by blood sampling for six months. A. phagocytophilum infection in the peripheral blood was detected by absolute quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS Both 16S rRNA gene variants of A. phagocytophilum established persistent infection for at least six months and showed cyclic bacteraemias, but variant 1 introduced more frequent periods of bacteraemia and higher number of organisms than 16S rRNA gene variant 2 in the peripheral blood. CONCLUSION Organisms were available from blood more or less constantly during the persistent infection and there were individual differences in cyclic activity of A. phagocytophilum in the infected animals. Two 16S rRNA gene variants of A. phagocytophilum show differences in cyclic activity during persistent infection in lambs.
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Stuen S, Torsteinbø WO, Bergström K, Bårdsen K. Superinfection occurs in Anaplasma phagocytophilum infected sheep irrespective of infection phase and protection status. Acta Vet Scand 2009; 51:41. [PMID: 19857248 PMCID: PMC2772837 DOI: 10.1186/1751-0147-51-41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2009] [Accepted: 10/26/2009] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in domestic ruminants is widespread in the coastal areas of southern Norway. The bacteria may persist in mammalian hosts. Several genetic variants of A. phagocytophilum exist. In the present study, we investigate whether superinfection occurs in the acute and persistent phase of the infection. Methods Five-month-old lambs of the Norwegian Dala breed were experimentally infected with two 16S rRNA gene variants of A. phagocytophilum, i.e. A. phagocytophilum variant 1 (GenBank accession number M73220) and variant 2 (GenBank acc. no. AF336220). Eighteen lambs were used, two lambs in each group. Eight groups were experimentally inoculated with either variant 1 or 2 on day 0. Six of these groups were then challenged with the other variant on either days 7, 42 or 84, respectively. One group was left uninfected. The occurrence of A. phagocytophilum in blood samples was determined using semi-nested PCR analysis and gene sequencing. Specific antibodies were measured by an indirect immunofluorescence antibody assay (IFA). Results A. phagocytophilum variant 1 and 2 differed significantly with regards to clinical reaction and cross-immunity in infected lambs. Both variants were found in the blood after challenge. However, variant 1 was detected most frequently. Conclusion The present experiment indicates that superinfection of different genotypes occurs during the acute as well as the persistent phase of an A. phagocytophilum infection, even in lambs protected against the challenged infection.
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