Molecular characterization of Anaplasma capra infecting captive mouflon (Ovis gmelini) and domestic sheep (Ovis aries) of Pakistan

Abstract

Anaplasmosis caused by gram-negative bacteria poses a great threat to the wildlife and livestock population in most tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Among these, Anaplasma capra (A. capra) is an emerging zoonotic pathogen. The present study aimed to determine the molecular prevalence of A. capra in mouflon sheep (Ovis gmelini) and domestic sheep (Ovis aries) of Pakistan. A total of 210 mouflon and domestic sheep blood samples were collected and analyzed by microscopy and PCR. The study reported an overall prevalence of A. capra at 20.48 % (43/210) based on PCR. However, the prevalence of A. capra was found at 11.43 % (12/105) in wild and 29.52 % (31/105) in domestic sheep respectively. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene of Anaplasma capra, revealed that four isolates of the current study were clustered together and showed a close resemblance with the Anaplasma capra isolates of Korea, China, Iran, and Russia; however, two isolates showed close resemblance with Indian isolate of A. capra. Hematobiochemical analysis of diseased (n = 10) and healthy animals (n = 10) revealed a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in WBCs, RBCs, PCV, hemoglobin, mean calcium levels, and total protein, while an increased amount of AST, ALP, total bilirubin, creatinine, and the BUN levels were observed in animals suffering from anaplasmosis. This is the first report regarding the molecular characterization of Anaplasma capra in captive mouflon and domestic sheep of Pakistan. The current study provides information about epidemiology of A. capra and hematobiochemical changes in mouflon and domestic sheep of Pakistan.