Molecular detection of Anaplasma spp. in blood and ticks collected from sheep and goat in West Azerbaijan province, Iran

Ahmad  Enferadi; Amir  Tukmechi; Katayoon  Nofouzi; Zahraalsadat  Tavakolian

doi:10.18502/ijm.v18i3.21666

Ahmad Enferadi Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
Amir Tukmechi Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
Katayoon Nofouzi Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
Zahraalsadat Tavakolian Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijm.v18i3.21666

Keywords: Anaplasma; Ticks; Sheep; Goats; Blood; Iran

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Anaplasmosis, an ailment affecting both captive and free-ranging small ruminants, is insti- gated by Anaplasma spp., a tick-vectored, obligate intracellular rickettsial bacterium. Iran's ovine and caprine populations, numbering roughly 71 million, are vital to its financial structure.

Materials and Methods: This study investigated the prevalence of Anaplasma species in sheep and goats within West Azer- baijan province. Additionally, nucleic acid specimens were isolated from gathered ticks and examined for Anaplasma spp. Through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) utilizing the major surface protein gene (groEL).

Results: Anaplasma was detected in 161 (69.0%) of 919 ovine and 82 (71.3%) of 243 caprine blood DNA extracts. Subse- quently, genetic material from 426 ticks comprised of Rhipicephalus sanguineus (n=146), Rhipicephalus turanicus (n=63), Hyalomma asiaticum (n=56), Hyalomma anatolicum (n=74), and Hyalomma egebtiom (n=87) was screened for A. ovis utilizing the same methodology.

Conclusion: This research not only confirmed the presence of A. ovis within Iranian sheep and goats but also implicated ticks as a possible vector for its transmission. The findings emphasize the importance of monitoring the health status of Iran's small ruminants to detect clinical manifestations of anaplasmosis and of implementing effective tick control strategies worldwide.