Serological and molecular surveys of Anaplasma spp. in Egyptian cattle reveal high A. marginale infection prevalence

Document Type : Full paper (Original article)

Authors

1 Department of Animal Medicine (Infectious Diseases), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Toukh 13736, Egypt

2 Department of Animal Wealth Development, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Toukh 13736, Egypt

3 Department of Parasitology and Animal Diseases, National Research Center, Dokki, Giza, Egypt

4 Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Sidi Thabet, University of Manouba, Manouba, Tunisia, and Laboratory of Microbiology, National School of Veterinary Medicine of Sidi Thabet, University of Manouba, Manouba, Tunisia

5 Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran, and Zoonotic Diseases Research Center, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran

Abstract

Background: Bovine anaplasmosis is an infectious disease with worldwide distribution. It spreads by various routes mainly through tick bites. Aims: This study aimed to investigate bovine related Anaplasma spp. in cattle from three northern governorates of Egypt by serological and molecular assays, to evaluate the associated risk factors and to analyze the phylogeny of revealed A. marginale isolates. Methods: During 2020, a total of 650 blood samples were collected from asymptomatic cattle in the governorates of Kafr El-Sheikh (n=240), Menofia (n=230), and Al-Gharbia (n=180). Sera samples were examined using the Anaplasma antibody test kit, cELISA v2. Blood genomic DNA of seropositive cattle was then examined by PCRs specific to A. marginale, A. centrale, and A. bovis. Selected positive samples were subjected to nucleotide sequencing. Risk factors (i.e. geographical area, breed, type of production, sex, age, herd size, season, husbandry system, tick infestation, and application of acaricides) were evaluated by logistic regression approach. Results: In total, 130 cattle (20%, 95% CI: 17.1–23.3) were recorded seropositive for Anaplasma species. Major risk factors associated with seropositivity were being crossbred, dairy cattle, aged more than 5 years, summer season, herd size of below 300, pasture grazing, tick infestation, and not being subjected to regular treatment with acaricides. By using species-specific PCR, only A. marginale was detected. Nucleotide sequencing showed the occurrence of two different msp4 genotypes. Conclusion: This study shows the high prevalence of A. marginale in cattle of Kafr El-Sheikh, Al-Gharbia, and Menofia. However, the connection between Anaplasma species and their tick vectors remains unknown in Egypt and merits further investigations. Since these infections primarily spread through ixodid tick bites, effective ectoparasite control strategies, regular examination of cattle and successful chemoprophylaxis are recommended.

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References

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