Open AccessMolecular detection of Anaplasma species in questing ticks (ixodids) in Ethiopia
Author(s) -
Teshale Sori,
Dirk Geysen,
Gobena Ameni,
Ketema Bogale,
Pierre Dorny,
Dirk Berkvens
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
asian pacific journal of tropical disease
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.208
H-Index - 33
ISSN - 2222-1808
DOI - 10.1016/s2222-1808(16)61066-6
Subject(s) - anaplasma phagocytophilum , anaplasma , biology , tick , ehrlichia , veterinary medicine , tick borne disease , anaplasmosis , babesia , amblyomma , amblyomma variegatum , virology , ixodidae , genetics , medicine , borrelia burgdorferi , antibody
Objective: To identify Anaplasma spp. in questing ticks with emphasis on Anaplasma\udphagocytophilum (A. phagocytophilum) and Anaplasma ovis (A. ovis) in Ethiopia.\udMethods: DNA extracted from 237 questing ticks [Rhipicephalus evertsi (R. evertsi) (n =\ud61), Rhipicephalus pulchellus (R. pulchellus) (n = 54), Rhipicephalus decoloratus (n = 1),\udAmblyomma variegatum (n = 22), Amblyomma lepidum (n = 36), Amblyomma nymphs (n =\ud6), Amblyomma gemma (n = 7) and Hyalomma marginatum (Hy. marginatum) (n = 53)] were\udtested by PCR-RFLP assay.\udResults: Overall 32 (13.33%; 95% confidence interval: 9.8%–18.3%) of the ticks were positive\udfor Anaplasma spp. DNA. Anaplasma marginale was detected in Hy. marginatum and R.\udpulchellus. Anaplasma centrale was identified in R. evertsi, R. pulchellus and Hy. marginatum.\udA. ovis was detected in R. evertsi, Amblyomma spp. and Hyalomma spp. A. phagocytophilum\udwas detected only in R. pulchellus and Anaplasma sp. omatijenne was detected only in\udAmblyomma lepidum. Ehrlichia species were not detected in any of the tick species examined.\udConclusions: The results demonstrated the presence of several Anaplasma spp. including the\udzoonotic A. phagocytophilum and potentially zoonotic A. ovis. Our finding identified potential\udvectors of A. ovis to be further confirmed. However, an extended study is needed to identify\udthe potential vectors of A. phagocytophilum. The variety of Anaplasma spp. indentified in this\udstudy suggests risks of anaplasmosis in animals and humans in the country