Molecular Detection And Typing Of Anaplasma Species In Small Ruminants In Thrace Region Of Turkey

This study was conducted to determine the presence and distribution of Anaplasma ovis and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in small ruminants in Istanbul, Tekirdag, Edirne and Kirklareli provinces in Thrace region of northwestern Turkey during May-September in 2014. A total of 423 blood samples (216 sheep and 207 goats) were collected randomly from small ruminants regardless of the clinical symptoms. Species-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays, targeting the major surface protein 4 (msp4), were employed for identification of A. ovis and A. phagocytophilum and selected products were confirmed via sequencing. A total of 230 small ruminants (54.37%) were found to be infected with A. ovis and/or A. phagocytophilum. The rates of infected animals for A. ovis and A. phagocytophilum were 50.83% (215/423) and 8.51% (36/423) respectively. Coinfection rate in small ruminants was determined as 4.96% (21/423). Sequence diversity rates of 0-0.94% for A. ovis and 0.41-2.49% for A. phagocytophilum have been observed. This is the first detection of A. ovis and A. phagocytophilum in sheep and goats in Thrace region of northwestern Turkey via polymerase chain reaction and sequence characterization. Further researches are needed to determine the vectors, vector-host interactions and genotypic variants that may affect the presence and distribution of Anaplasma species in the region.WoSScopu

Serological and molecular investigation of Ehrlichia spp. and Anaplasma spp. in ticks and blood of dogs, in the Thrace Region of Turkey

In recent years, tick-borne diseases like ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis became widespread worldwide threatening the health of both human and companion animals. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the presence of Anaplasma spp., and Ehrlichia spp. in dogs and ticks in the Thrace Region of Turkey. A total of 400 blood samples and 912 ticks were collected from dogs living in shelters that are located in four cities (Istanbul, Edirne, Tekirdag and Kirklareli) of the Thrace Region. Blood and buffy coat smears were prepared for microscopic examination. Hematologic and serologic analyses were performed using cell counter and commercial Snap3Dx test kit, respectively. Eight hundred fifty of collected ticks were classified as Rhipicephalus sanguineus, 33 as Rhipicephalus turanicus and 29 as Ixodes ricinus. After DNA extraction from blood samples and pooled ticks (127 tick pools, in total), nested PCR was performed to detect the DNA of Anaplasma spp., and Ehrlichia spp. The seroprevalence of Ehrlichia canis was 27.25% (109) by Snap3Dx test and the total molecular positivity was 11.75% (47) in dog blood samples and 21.25% (27) in tick pools by nested PCR. The frequencies of the infected blood samples with E. canis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Anaplasma platys were detected as 6%, 4% and 6%, respectively. E. canis and A. platys were detected in R. sanguineus pools with a ratio of 15.75% and 0.7%, respectively. In addition, A. platys was also detected in R. turanicus pools (0.7%). A. phagocytophilum was found only in I. ricinus pools (3.93%). Morulae of three species were detected in buffy coat and blood smears. While anemia was observed in dogs infected with E. canis and co-infected (with one or more species), thrombocytopenia was observed only in co-infected dogs. This is the first study providing evidence for the presence of Anaplasma spp. and Ehrlichia spp. in dogs and ticks in the Thrace Region of Turkey. Based on the results of the tests used in this study, we recommend the combined use of serologic, molecular, cytologic, hematologic analyses and physical examination of tick exposure for an accurate diagnosis of ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis. (C) 2016 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved