Abstract
In recent years, some tick-borne diseases such as anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis became widespread worldwide, threatening the health of humans, domestic animals and wildlife. The aims of this study were to determine the presence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Ehrlichia canis and Ehrlichia chaffeensis in 102 opossums (Didelphis spp.) and 44 owned free-ranging dogs in southeastern Mexico using a specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Anaplasma phagocytophilum was detected in opossums and dogs with a prevalence of 3 and 27 %, respectively. E. canis was only present in 7 % of dogs, while we didn’t detect E. chaffeensis in any host. We report the first evidence of infections of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Didelphis virginiana and D. marsupialis in Mexico. The infection rates and patterns we found of A. phagocytophilum suggest that dogs are more directly involved in the ecology of this pathogen than opossums. Despite the small prevalence found, our results are of public health concern because of the zoonotic capabilities of A. phagocytophilum, the high tick infestation rates found and because both opossums and free-ranging dogs can achieve high population densities in the region.
Highlights
Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Ehrlichia canis, and Ehrlichia chaffeensis are tick-borne pathogens of a wide range of vertebrate hosts (McQuiston et al, 2003; Yabsley, 2010; Atif, 2015)
A total of 102 opossums and 44 dog blood samples were examined for A. phagocytophilum, E. canis, and E. chaffeensis in this study
DNA of A. phagocytophilum was found in both species of opossums, one D. marsupialis and two D. virginiana were infected (Figure 3)
Summary
Ehrlichia canis, and Ehrlichia chaffeensis are tick-borne pathogens of a wide range of vertebrate hosts (McQuiston et al, 2003; Yabsley, 2010; Atif, 2015). The emerging zoonotic pathogens E. chaffeensis and A. phagocytophilum are increasingly implicated as a human pathogen worldwide The diseases they cause are human monocytic ehrlichiosis (HME) and human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA), respectively (Yabsley, 2010; Atif, 2015). Both pathogens cause similar clinical illnesses that involve malaise, gastrointestinal disorders, high fever, and severe headache (Dahlgren et al, 2011; Atif, 2015). It is a pathogen of high veterinary importance for dog health
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