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. 2015 Feb 19:8:108.
doi: 10.1186/s13071-015-0727-3.

Molecular detection and characterization of Anaplasma spp. in sheep and cattle from Xinjiang, northwest China

Jifei Yang  1 , Youquan Li  2 , Zhijie Liu  3 , Junlong Liu  4 , Qingli Niu  5 , Qiaoyun Ren  6 , Ze Chen  7 , Guiquan Guan  8 , Jianxun Luo  9 , Hong Yin  10   11
Affiliations

Molecular detection and characterization of Anaplasma spp. in sheep and cattle from Xinjiang, northwest China

Jifei Yang et al. Parasit Vectors. .

Abstract

Background: Anaplasmosis is caused by obligate intracellular bacteria in the genus Anaplasma. These bacterial pathogens are transmitted by ticks and impact both human and animal health. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and molecular characterization of Anaplasma spp. in ruminants sampled in Xinjiang, northwest China.

Methods: A survey was performed in August 2012 in rural areas of six counties in Xinjiang province. A total of 250 blood samples from ruminants were collected and tested for the presence of Anaplasma spp. by PCR. Positive samples were genetically characterized based on the 16S rRNA and msp4 genes.

Results: The results showed a high prevalence of Anaplasma spp. in ruminants, with at least three different Anaplasma species detected (A. phagocytophilum, A. bovis and A. ovis). The mean prevalence of single infection with each species was 17.6% (A. phagocytophilum), 4.8% (A. bovis) and 40.5% (A. ovis). Coinfection occurred in 20 (8.0%) animals. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene of A. bovis and A. phagocytophilum revealed a higher degree of genetic diversity for the latter. The results for A. ovis showed genotypic variation among geographic regions in China. In addition, a closely related isolate to the canine pathogen A. platys was identified in ruminants.

Conclusions: This survey revealed a high prevalence of Anaplasma sp. infections in sheep and cattle in the northwestern border regions of China, indicating the potential risk of transboundary disease.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Phylogenetic analysis of A. phagocytophilum ( A. phago ) based on 16S rRNA gene partial sequences. A neighbor joining tree was constructed using the Kimura two-parameter model in Mega 4.0. An alignment of 16S rRNA sequences from position 694 to 1334 of the sequence (based on strain ES34, GenBank accession no. AB196720) was used to construct this tree. Rickettsia rickettsii is used as an outgroup.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Phylogenetic analysis of A. bovis based on 16S rRNA gene partial sequences. A neighbor joining tree was constructed using the Kimura two-parameter model in Mega 4.0. An alignment of 16S rRNA sequences from position 60 to 610 of the sequence (based on strain ES1019, GenBank accession no. HQ913644) was used to construct this tree. Rickettsia rickettsii is used as an outgroup. ●: sequences in this study.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Phylogenetic analysis of A. ovis strains based on the deduced amino acid sequences for the msp4 gene. A neighbor joining tree was constructed using the Kimura two-parameter model in Mega 4.0. An alignment of full length Msp4 sequences was used to construct this tree.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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