Molecular characterization of the msp1 α AmRio1 strain of Anaplasma marginale in calves and experimentally infected ticks.

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the infection's clinical parameters and genetic diversity of msp1α of the AmRio1 strain in acute and chronic infections in cattle and ticks. A calf experimentally infected with the A. marginale AmRio1 strain was monitored during acute infection, and the presence of the msp1α gene was verified in the semi-nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) during the acute and persistent phases of infection. From day seven after inoculation of the pathogen, the calf showed an increase in body temperature, decrease in hematocrit and increase in the percentage of cells infected by the agent, as well as clinical signs. Blood samples from the experimentally infected calf were positive during the acute infection and the persistent PCR infection for the msp1α gene. During the acute phase, infestation with Rhipicephalus microplus was performed. To evaluate the chronic phase, a blood sample was collected at 90 days post-infection. There was no variation of the MSP1a protein in this study. The AmRio1 strain was pathogenic as it caused severe changes in the clinical parameters of the monitored cattle. The positivity of this strain in organs and saliva of the analyzed ticks indicates a probable biological transmission.