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The Veterinary Quarterly Dec 2024Understanding the spatial and temporal distribution of is crucial for identifying areas of high prevalence for targeted disease control. This research was aimed at...
Understanding the spatial and temporal distribution of is crucial for identifying areas of high prevalence for targeted disease control. This research was aimed at modelling and mapping the potential distribution, and identify hotspots as well as significant variables explaining the occurrence of the disease. The Getis Ord G* statistic for Hotspot analysis was used as well as MaxEnt ecological niche modelling. The effects of time, land-use, and agro-ecological regions on occurrence were tested using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Results showed that several districts in Zimbabwe are suitable for the occurence of the disease for example Binga, Seke, Buhera, Kwekwe, Gweru, Mhondoro, Chegutu, Sanyati, and in the North: Mbire, Muzarabani, Mt Darwin, Shamva, Bindura, Zvimba and Makonde. Morbidity and mortality hotspots were detected in Gokwe-south, Kwekwe, and Chirumhanzu districts. Binga, Gokwe-south, Gutu, Hurungwe, Mazoe, Nkayi, Shamva, and Kwekwe districts also experienced high disease incidences. Temperature seasonality, precipitation seasonality, mean diurnal range, and isothermality were the most important variables in explaining 93% of distribution. Unlike land-use and agro-ecological regions, time (months) had a significant effect on occurrence with July and September having significantly ( < 0.05) higher cases and deaths than the rest of the months. The results of this study provide insights into the management strategies and control of in Zimbabwe. It is thus concluded that geo-spatial techniques, combined with ecological niche modelling can provide useful insights into disease prevalence and distribution and hence can contribute to effective management and control of in Zimbabwe.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Anaplasmosis; Zimbabwe; Cattle Diseases
PubMed: 38279663
DOI: 10.1080/01652176.2024.2306210 -
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) May 2023Ticks and tick-borne diseases affect livestock productivity and cause significant economic losses. Therefore, surveillance of these pathogens and vectors is paramount to...
Ticks and tick-borne diseases affect livestock productivity and cause significant economic losses. Therefore, surveillance of these pathogens and vectors is paramount to reducing these effects in livestock. This study aimed to identify and sensu lato in ticks collected from cattle. Molecular biology techniques were utilized to identify for both types of samples, i.e., ticks and bovine blood. Serology of cattle using indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) was conducted to determine antibodies to . s.l. from seven locations in Nuevo Leon, Mexico, between 2015 and 2017. From 404 bovines, 2880 ticks were collected: (2391 females and 395 males), spp. (51 females and 42 males) and (1 female). represented the largest specimens captured, with 96.7% within the seven study sites. PCR processed only 15% (442) of tick samples to identify . Field genera proportions were followed to select testing tick numbers. Results showed that 9.9% (44/442) of infected the pooled tick species, whereas the highest percent corresponded to 9.4% (38/404) in . Regarding the molecular analysis of blood samples, 214 of 337 (63.5%) were positive for . In each of the seven locations, at least one bovine sample tested positive for . s.l. was not found either in the ticks or serum samples. Two DNA nucleotide sequences obtained in this study were deposited in the GenBank with the following accession numbers OR050501 cattle, and OR050500 tick. Results of this work point to current distribution of bovine anaplasmosis in northern Mexico.
PubMed: 37375474
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12060784 -
Veterinary World Nov 2023Anaplasmosis, a tick-borne disease affecting livestock caused by the bacteria , poses a global concern. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence, spatiotemporal...
BACKGROUND AND AIM
Anaplasmosis, a tick-borne disease affecting livestock caused by the bacteria , poses a global concern. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence, spatiotemporal variation, and associated risk factors of anaplasmosis in cattle from the Bannu and Lakki Marwat districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This study used 197 cattle exhibiting clinical symptoms of anaplasmosis in natural settings. Microscopic examination was used to estimate the prevalence. Potential risk factors, such as sampling regions and months, gender, breed, and age were studied.
RESULTS
The study revealed an overall anaplasmosis prevalence of 19.79%. Bannu district exhibited a higher occurrence at 22.10%, compared to Lakki Marwat district at 17.64%. Young cattle (<2 years) demonstrated a notably higher incidence of anaplasmosis (26.78%) compared to adults (>5 years), which had a prevalence of 12.35% (p < 0.05). Female cattle (22.36%) were more susceptible than male cattle (11.11%). Prevalence peaked in June (45.71%) and was lowest in February (3.57%). Crossbred cattle had a higher prevalence (23.52%) than purebred cattle (11.47%).
CONCLUSION
Anaplasmosis can be effectively controlled using a comprehensive approach encompassing selective breeding for resilience, targeted care of young calves and females, effective tick control during warmer months, consistent use of insecticides, and proactive risk factor management. Raising awareness among farmers through diverse channels, including media, is pivotal to bolster tick-borne disease management strategies.
PubMed: 38152261
DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2023.2287-2292 -
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Aug 2023() is the aetiological agent of tick-borne fever in cattle and sheep, and granulocytic anaplasmosis in human and dogs. Livestock, companion animal and human infections...
() is the aetiological agent of tick-borne fever in cattle and sheep, and granulocytic anaplasmosis in human and dogs. Livestock, companion animal and human infections with have been reported globally. Across England and Wales, two isolates (called ecotypes) have been reported in ticks. This study examined isolates present in livestock and wildlife in Great Britain (GB), with a particular focus on cattle. Clinical submissions (EDTA blood) from cattle ( = 21) and sheep ( = 3) were received by APHA for tick-borne disease testing and the animals were confirmed to be infected with using a PCR targeting the 2 gene. Further submissions from roe deer ( = 2), red deer ( = 2) and ticks ( = 22) were also shown to be infected with . Subsequent analysis using a nested PCR targeting the gene and sequencing confirmed the presence of ecotype I in cattle, sheep, red deer and , and ecotype II in roe deer and removed from deer carcasses. Despite the presence of two ecotypes, widely distributed in ticks from England and Wales, only ecotype I was detected in cattle in this study.
PubMed: 37623989
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12081029 -
Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases Jul 2023Anaplasmosis, borreliosis, rickettsiosis and babesiosis are tick-borne diseases of medical, veterinary and economic importance. In Belgium, little is known on the...
BACKGROUND
Anaplasmosis, borreliosis, rickettsiosis and babesiosis are tick-borne diseases of medical, veterinary and economic importance. In Belgium, little is known on the prevalence of these diseases in animals and previous screenings relate only to targeted geographic regions, clinical cases or a limited number of tested samples. We therefore performed the first nationwide seroprevalence study of Anaplasma spp., A. phagocytophilum, Borrelia spp., Rickettsia spp. and Babesia spp. in Belgian cattle. We also screened questing ticks for the aforementioned pathogens.
METHODS
ELISAs and IFATs were performed on a representative sample set of cattle sera stratified proportionally to the number of cattle herds per province. Questing ticks were collected in areas where the highest prevalence for the forenamed pathogens in cattle serum were observed. Ticks were analyzed by quantitative PCR for A. phagocytophilum (n = 783), B. burgdorferi sensu lato (n = 783) and Rickettsia spp. (n = 715) and by PCR for Babesia spp. (n = 358).
RESULTS
The ELISA screening for antibodies to Anaplasma spp. and Borrelia spp. in cattle sera showed an overall seroprevalence of 15.6% (53/339) and 12.9% (52/402), respectively. The IFAT screening for antibodies against A. phagocytophilum, Rickettsia spp. and Babesia spp. resulted in an overall seroprevalence of 34.2% (116/339), 31.2% (99/317) and 3.4% (14/412), respectively. At the provincial level, the provinces of Liege and Walloon Brabant harboured the highest seroprevalence of Anaplasma spp. (44.4% and 42.7% respectively) and A. phagocytophilum (55.6% and 71.4%). East Flanders and Luxembourg exhibited the highest seroprevalence of Borrelia spp. (32.4%) and Rickettsia spp. (54.8%) respectively. The province of Antwerp showed the highest seroprevalence of Babesia spp. (11%). The screening of field-collected ticks resulted in a prevalence of 13.8% for B. burgdorferi s.l., with B. afzelii and B. garinii being the most common genospecies (65.7% and 17.1%, respectively). Rickettsia spp. was detected in 7.1% of the tested ticks and the only identified species was R. helvetica. A low prevalence was found for A. phagocytophilum (0.5%) and no Babesia positive tick was detected.
CONCLUSIONS
The seroprevalence data in cattle indicate hot spots for tick-borne pathogens in specific provinces and highlights the importance of veterinary surveillance in anticipating the emergence of diseases among humans. The detection of all pathogens, with the exception of Babesia spp. in questing ticks, underlines the need of raising awareness among public and professionals on other tick-borne diseases along with lyme borreliosis.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Cattle; Borrelia burgdorferi; Babesia; Rickettsia; Belgium; Anaplasma phagocytophilum; Ixodes; Prevalence; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Borrelia; Tick-Borne Diseases
PubMed: 37044019
DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102146 -
Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases Jul 2024Bovine anaplasmosis is a tick-borne disease caused by Anaplasma marginale in the United States. The objective of this study was to use a survey tool to generate...
Bovine anaplasmosis is a tick-borne disease caused by Anaplasma marginale in the United States. The objective of this study was to use a survey tool to generate information for beef operations in California on anaplasmosis prevention and control management, including to what extent management activities were informed by perceived herd-level exposure to A. marginale infection or occurrence of clinical anaplasmosis cases. We mailed 2,621 questionnaires with questions on Anaplasma status, herd demographics, anaplasmosis control and prevention measures, and environmental factors to beef ranchers in California in October 2020. Survey-weighted chi-square tests were used to compare management differences according to perceived Anaplasma infection status. Generalized estimating equations (GEEs) were used to analyze whether region of California, management practices, or environmental factors were associated with reported clinical cases of anaplasmosis in the previous five years. A total of 466 questionnaires describing 749 herds were obtained and used in this study. Use of management measures, including deliberate exposure of calves to ticks, vaccination for Anaplasma, infection control through antibiotics in feed, maintaining a completely closed herd, blood testing for Anaplasma on all herd additions, and taking no anaplasmosis control and prevention measures, were significantly different between herds with or without perceived A. marginale infection based on producers' self-declared status. The overall perceived prevalence for Anaplasma infection and reported clinical cases of anaplasmosis at the herd level was 26.0 % (95 % CI: 24.3-27.7 %) and 17.1 % (95 % CI: 15.6-18.6 %) respectively, with the highest perceived infection and case numbers reported in the Central Coast region. In the GEE model, higher odds of reporting clinical cases of anaplasmosis in the previous five years were observed in cattle located in the Central Coast region, cattle within a large herd, cattle that are treated with tick/fly control, cattle in a completely closed herd, and cattle receiving Anaplasma vaccine. Anaplasma infection and bovine anaplasmosis status may be underestimated in beef herds in California based on previous study results. Changing needles between cattle after injections and conducting blood testing for Anaplasma on herd additions are important Anaplasma management measures that are infrequently implemented in beef herds in California. The results show a need for producer education to improve producers' awareness of bovine anaplasmosis and implement proper measures for disease control and prevention.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Anaplasma marginale; Anaplasmosis; California; Cattle Diseases; Male; Female; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 38643720
DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102346 -
Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases Nov 2023Ticks and tick-borne diseases constitute a major threat for human and animal health worldwide. Vaccines for the control of tick infestations and transmitted pathogens...
Ticks and tick-borne diseases constitute a major threat for human and animal health worldwide. Vaccines for the control of tick infestations and transmitted pathogens still represents a challenge for science and health. Vaccines have evolved with antigens derived from inactivated pathogens to recombinant proteins and vaccinomics approaches. Recently, vaccines for the control of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have shown the efficacy of new antigen delivery platforms. However, until now only two vaccines based on recombinant Bm86/Bm95 antigens have been registered and commercialized for the control of cattle-tick infestations. Nevertheless, recently new technologies and approaches are under consideration for vaccine development for the control of ticks and tick-borne pathogens. Genetic manipulation of tick commensal bacteria converted enemies into friends. Frankenbacteriosis was used to control tick pathogen infection. Based on these results, the way forward is to develop new paratransgenic interventions and vaccine delivery platforms for the control of tick-borne diseases.
Topics: Cattle; Animals; Humans; Tick Infestations; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Vaccines; Tick-Borne Diseases; Rhipicephalus; Antigens; Cattle Diseases
PubMed: 37419001
DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102227 -
Parasites & Vectors Oct 2023Anaplasma phagocytophilum is a Gram-negative obligate intracellular bacterium that replicates in neutrophil granulocytes. It is transmitted by ticks of the Ixodes...
Granulocytic anaplasmosis in cats from central Europe and molecular characterization of feline Anaplasma phagocytophilum strains by ankA gene, groEL gene and multilocus sequence typing.
BACKGROUND
Anaplasma phagocytophilum is a Gram-negative obligate intracellular bacterium that replicates in neutrophil granulocytes. It is transmitted by ticks of the Ixodes ricinus complex and causes febrile illness called granulocytic anaplasmosis primarily in humans, horses, dogs, sheep, cattle and goats. In comparison, clinically apparent disease has been described rarely in cats especially compared to dogs and horses. It is currently unknown whether cats are less susceptible to A. phagocytophilum or whether granulocytic anaplasmosis might be underdiagnosed in cats.
METHODS
To address this question, we examined clinical signs and laboratory findings in seven A. phagocytophilum infected cats from Germany and Switzerland. We then genetically characterized feline A. phagocytophilum strains and compared them to those from other hosts showing clinically apparent disease. For this purpose, ankA-based, groEL-based and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) were applied. Furthermore, the concordance between these typing methods was assessed.
RESULTS
Fever, lethargy and anorexia were the most common clinical signs in cats suffering from granulocytic anaplasmosis. The most frequent laboratory finding was thrombocytopenia. All three typing methods consistently indicated that the A. phagocytophilum strains found infecting cats are the same as those that cause disease in humans, dogs and horses. In general, the three typing methods applied exhibited high concordance.
CONCLUSIONS
The genetic characterization of the feline A. phagocytophilum strains indicates that strain divergence is not the explanation for the fact that granulocytic anaplasmosis is much less frequently diagnosed in cats than in dogs and horses. Otherwise, it may be possible that cats are less susceptible to the same strains than dogs and horse are. However, due to the unspecific clinical signs, it should be considered that granulocytic anaplasmosis may be under-diagnosed in cats.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Cats; Cattle; Dogs; Horses; Sheep; Multilocus Sequence Typing; Anaplasmosis; Anaplasma phagocytophilum; Europe; Granulocytes; Goats
PubMed: 37803346
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05954-3 -
Artificial Feeding of and (Acari: Argasidae) and Investigation of the Transstadial Perpetuation of .Microorganisms Jun 2023is a Gram-negative, obligate intraerythrocytic bacterium that causes bovine anaplasmosis. While hard ticks of the genera and can be biological vectors, transmitting...
is a Gram-negative, obligate intraerythrocytic bacterium that causes bovine anaplasmosis. While hard ticks of the genera and can be biological vectors, transmitting this pathogen via saliva during blood meals, blood-sucking insects, and fomites play a role as mechanical vectors. Little is known about the interaction between and Argasidae ticks. Among soft ticks, (Labruna and Venzal) and Aragão inhabit environments surrounding localities where many cases of bovine anaplasmosis have been reported. Ticks of the species parasitize bats, while can parasitize different vertebrate species. Therefore, the present study aimed to feed third-instar nymphs artificially (N3) of and using blood samples obtained from a calf naturally infected with and rabbit blood added to containing bovine erythrocytes, to investigate the ability of these nymphs to acquire, infect and transstadially perpetuate this agent. For the artificial feeding system, adapted chambers and parafilm membranes were used. Nymphs of both tick species were submitted to different replications weighed before and after each feeding. Blood samples and molted ticks were submitted to DNA extraction, quantitative real-time PCR for the β gene to detect DNA, while a semi-nested polymerase chain reaction for the α gene was performed for genotyping. Using calf blood naturally infected with , among the three artificial feeding replications performed with and nymphs, the DNA of was detected in both nymphs after 30-50 days of molting. For artificial feeding with rabbit blood added to bovine erythrocytes containing , the DNA of this pathogen was also detected in both nymph species. As for the assay for the 1α gene, strains were found Is9; 78 24-2; 25; 23; α; and β. It was concluded that nymphs (N3) of and could feed artificially through a parafilm membrane using blood from calves and rabbits infected by . The DNA of was detected in nymphs fed artificially of both tick species studied after molt. However, further studies are needed to confirm transstadial perpetuation in other instars and their host transmission capacity.
PubMed: 37512853
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11071680 -
Veterinary World Aug 2023spp. are common rickettsia species described in ruminant hosts, including cattle. The clinical signs of anaplasmosis range from asymptomatic to mortality. However,...
BACKGROUND AND AIM
spp. are common rickettsia species described in ruminant hosts, including cattle. The clinical signs of anaplasmosis range from asymptomatic to mortality. However, there are insufficient studies on epidemiology surveys of this blood pathogen. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and risk factors of anaplasmosis in beef and dairy cattle in Northeast, Thailand.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A total of 187 blood samples of beef and dairy cattle were collected from five provinces in Northeast Thailand. spp. infections were screened by microscopic examination and polymerase chain reaction targeting specific genes ( gene for and 16S rRNA gene for and ). Moreover, the associated risk factors for the infections were evaluated.
RESULTS
Overall, blood samples from cattle revealed that 17.6% (33/187) were positive for spp. by microscopic examination and 20.8% (39/187) were positive by DNA amplification. Of these 20.8%, 17.6% were and 3.2% were . However, infection was not detected. Infection with spp. and showed a significant association with breed and gender (p < 0.05) while age and packed cell volume levels showed no significant statistical relationship between spp. infected and uninfected animals.
CONCLUSION
This study indicated that anaplasmosis is distributed in beef and dairy cattle in Thailand; therefore, prevention and control strategies for these pathogens should be improved. This information will benefit veterinarians and cowherds by avoiding vector exposure and eliminating tick breeding sites.
PubMed: 37766718
DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2023.1702-1707