Preliminary data on molecular testing for Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in cattle and horses, Romania

Abstract

Ticks are among the most important group of vectors for pathogens causing vector-borne diseases in Europe. Over the last two decades, numerous reports strongly emphasize on the spreading and increased abundance of ticks in Romania. Moreover, molecular reports have also documented on the diverse tick-borne pathogens circulating at the domestic and wild host-tick interface. Among them, (re)-emerging tick-borne pathogens, including causative agents of zoonotic diseases, with high impact on the animal and human health are reported. Anaplasma phagocytophilum, the causative agent of granulocytic anaplasmosis in humans and animals is also regarded as an emerging tick-borne pathogen with a growing concern. Little is known about its occurrence in domestic animals in Romania. Therefore, the present study aimed on molecular testing for A. phagocytophilum infection in cattle and horses, Romania. For this, blood samples were tested by using a Real-Time PCR technique. The results were interpreted based on the cut-off cycle threshold of Ct<45. Following the amplification protocol, the methods was validated (the positive controls showed the average Ct=27.4285); of the tested samples, for two cattle amplification curves with the Ct<45 were registered, while one equine sample was inconclusive. These preliminary molecular data document the presence of the investigated pathogen. Further studies are planned to asses the prevalence and genetic characterization of A. phagocytophilum variants circulating in domestic animals, in Romania.