Abstract
BackgroundThere has been a growing interest in camel anaplasmosis due to its recent emergence in this reservoir species and concerns for its zoonotic potential. The epidemiology of anaplasmosis in camels therefore remains poorly understood mostly because camels belong to marginalised poor and often transhumant populations whose interests are largely neglected. Most studies of anaplasmosis in camels have relied on microscopy and serology for diagnosis and only three studies, undertaken in Tunisia, Saudia Arabia and China, have used molecular diagnostics. The present work characterises Anaplasmataceae strains circulating in the Camelus dromedarius reservoir in Morocco using PCR.MethodsCamels (n = 106) were randomly sampled from 6 regions representing different agro-ecological areas in southern Morocco. Whole blood was collected and screened using PCR methods targeting the gene groEL. Anaplasmataceae strains were characterised by sequence analysis of the gene groEL.ResultsA total of 39.62% (42/106) camels screened were positive for Anaplasmataceae spp. GenBank BLAST analysis of five positive sequenced samples revealed that all strains were 100% identical to “Candidatus Anaplasma camelii”. Phylogenetic investigation and genetic characterisation of the aligned segment (650 bp) of the gene groEL confirmed high similarity with A. platys.ConclusionThis study demonstrates the circulation of a previously unidentified species of the genus Anaplasma in Morocco which is genetically close to the agent causing canine anaplasmosis but whose main reservoir is thought to be Camelus dromedarius.Trial registration numberThis study is not a clinical trial and therefore a trial registration number does not apply.
Highlights
There has been a growing interest in camel anaplasmosis due to its recent emergence in this reservoir species and concerns for its zoonotic potential
Tick-borne diseases, especially those caused by Rickettsiae, are a major source of economic burden for livestock
Death may occur in the absence of chemotherapy and veterinary care [7, 9]. (2) A. centrale preferentially infects cattle and is used as a live vaccine against A. marginale in cattle in Australia, South Africa and South America because of its lower virulence and good cross immunity [10]
Summary
There has been a growing interest in camel anaplasmosis due to its recent emergence in this reservoir species and concerns for its zoonotic potential. The severity of signs observed during the clinical phase varies depending on strain virulence and immune status of infected cattle. (2) A. centrale preferentially infects cattle and is used as a live vaccine against A. marginale in cattle in Australia, South Africa and South America because of its lower virulence and good cross immunity [10]. Small ruminants are preferentially infected by A. ovis (3) and prevalence has been reported to be high in several countries [11,12,13] with considerable economic impact [13]. Clinical cases usually present in stressed, immune-depressed sheep and goats or in cases of co-infection with clinical signs similar to those observed for A. marginale infected cattle [14, 15]. A. ovis transmission to small ruminants occurs through tick bites as described for cattle, Rhipicephalus spp. play a greater role [14]
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