Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum infections in rural areas of Bursa Province, where vector ticks and blood-sucking flies are commonly found. In total, 150 blood samples were collected from people living in four different locations where vector ticks are common, and 45 blood samples were collected from people living in non-tick-infested areas. Giemsa-stained blood smears were prepared from the blood samples and examined by light microscopy. The blood samples were also serologically examined using the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). One sample (0.7%) from a patient with a tick bite history was positive, as determined by the IFAT; however, the same sample was negative when its Giemsa-stained smear was examined. The co-seroprevalence of A. phagocytophilum and Borrelia burgdorferi was not observed. Key words: Bursa, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, human, serology, prevalence.
Highlights
Human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA) is a zoonotic infection transmitted by ticks to vertebrate hosts
The HGA agent infects the cytoplasm of circulating leukocytes, causing intracellular clumps known as morulae, which are most likely to be found during the first week of illness
The presence of morulae in stained blood, bone marrow or cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) leukocytes is an evidence of the presence of Anaplasma infection, but not for specific species, and supports the HGA diagnosis (Baken and Dumler, 2008)
Summary
Human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA) is a zoonotic infection transmitted by ticks to vertebrate hosts. Anaplasma phagocytophilum is an obligate intracellular bacterium that is related to rickettsial organisms and that replicates within the hostile environment of neutrophils (Carlyon and Fikrig, 2003). Acute anaplasmosis do not have specific symptoms; its symptoms are flu-like, such as myalgia, headache and tiredness, and can occur similar to viral diseases. The HGA agent infects the cytoplasm of circulating leukocytes, causing intracellular clumps known as morulae, which are most likely to be found during the first week of illness. The presence of morulae in stained blood, bone marrow or cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) leukocytes is an evidence of the presence of Anaplasma infection, but not for specific species, and supports the HGA diagnosis (Baken and Dumler, 2008)
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