Characterization of Anaplasma spp. infection in dogs from Costa Rica

Abstract

A cross-sectional study combining serological and molecular techniques for detecting selected Anaplasma species was conducted between 2011 and 2012 in dogs and ticks sampled in all provinces of Costa Rica. Global Anaplasma spp. seroprevalence was 2.7% (11/408) by indirect immunofluorescence assay. The 16S rRNA PCR confirmed active A. phagocytophilum infection only in one dog (0.3%, 1/374); however, the same sample was negative to groEL PCR. Out of 122 Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. ticks analyzed, one (0.8%) was found positive to A. phagocytophilum 16S rRNA PCR but negative when tested by groEL PCR; this tick was collected from a seronegative and PCR negative dog. Both 16S rRNA sequences were 100% (510/510 bp) identical to A. phagocytophilum strains isolated in different countries from different hosts. The presence of A. platys was established in four dogs (1%, 4/374) by both 16SrRNA and groEL PCR. Ticks collected from the same dogs tested negative by PCR. The 16S rRNA sequences were 100% identical to the corresponding sequences of A. platys strains isolated from dogs in Croatia and Brazil, however groEL sequences showed variable similarity levels (99-100%) with different strains of A. platys isolated in Chile, Japan and Thailand, pointing out the possible presence of different variants in Central America. Collectively data indicate low prevalence of A. phagocytophilum and A. platys in dogs from Costa Rica. Furthermore, infections seem to occur without clinical signs but with some hematological changes, and seem to resolve without treatment.

Seroprevalence of Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp., Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, and Dirofilaria immitis in Stray Dogs, from 2016 to 2019, in Southern Italy

“…in stray dogs. Indeed, due to the cross-reactions, it is very hard to discriminate A. platys and A. phagocytophilum using serological tests [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 ], while mixed infections are probable [ 43 ].…”

“…Anaplasmosis is a CVBD caused by bacteria belonging to the genus Anaplasma that infect different species, including dogs and human, and have a worldwide distribution. The genus Anaplasma includes obligate intracellular Gram-negative bacteria that principally infect hematopoietic cells [ 14 ]. Anaplasma phagocytophilum is the etiological agent of canine granulocytic anaplasmosis, characterized by the appearance of morulae in the cytoplasm of infected neutrophilic granulocytes [ 15 ], whereas Anaplasma platys is the causative agent of infectious canine cyclic thrombocytopenia (ICCT), and is found in platelets [ 16 ].…”

Seroprevalence and Current Infections of Canine Vector-Borne Diseases in Costa Rica

“…Regarding Anaplasma spp., the present study may indicate an increasing seroprevalence of this genus in Costa Rica. In 2011, Bonilla et al (13) detected 2.7% Anaplasma -seropositive animals among 408 sampled dogs, with regional prevalences up to 6.5%. A similar study from 2011 to 2012, which tested 314 Costa Rican dogs with the same method as in the present study, detected a country-wide Anaplasma spp.…”

“…Thus, canine anaplasmosis may constitute an emerging infection in Costa Rica. Nevertheless, the detected differences might also be due to methodological reasons, since the 2011/12 survey by Bonilla et al (13) used a different serological test. Furthermore, although all three surveys covered the seven provinces of Costa Rica, actual sampling locations differed.…”

“…(10, 11). Both Anaplasma platys , the causative agent of canine cyclic thrombocytopenia, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum , causing zoonotic granulocytic anaplasmosis, are present in the region (10, 12, 13). Additionally, B. vogeli as well as Babesia gibsoni have been detected by PCR in dogs from certain locations in Costa Rica and Nicaragua (14–16), but large-scale serological surveys on canine babesiosis in Central America are lacking.…”