The first study on the seroprevalence of Anaplasma spp. in small ruminants and assessment of associated risk factors in North Egypt

Abstract

Background and Aim: Ovine anaplasmosis is a rickettsial disease caused by Anaplasma spp. These Gram-negative intracellular bacteria are mainly transmitted by ticks and infected blood cells of caprine, ovine, and wild small ruminants. At present, epidemiological data on anaplasmosis in cattle, dogs, and camels in Egypt are available, but the data about Anaplasma spp. in sheep and goat are scarce. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of Anaplasma spp. in small ruminants and assess the associated risk factors. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed to investigate the seroprevalence of Anaplasma spp. in 300 sheep and 300 goats from four governorates in North Egypt using a commercial competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays kit, and the associated risk factors for the infection were evaluated. Results: Overall, the seroprevalence of anti-Anaplasma antibodies was 18.3% and 21.3% in sheep and goats, respectively. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to determine the association between risk factors and Anaplasma spp. infection. Conclusion: Age, animal husbandry, acaricide use, tick infestation, and contact with cattle were the primary risk factors for Anaplasma seropositivity. This study confirms the presence of antibodies against Anaplasma spp. in small ruminants from Egypt. This is the first study to assess the associated risk factors for Anaplasma infection in small ruminants from Egypt. Further studies are needed to improve the understanding of the associated disease factors, facilitating the development of new procedures for control of anaplasmosis in livestock.

Molecular Epidemiology, Seasonality and Phylogenetic Investigations of Anaplasma ovis in Small Ruminants from Diverse Agro-Climatic Regions of Punjab, Pakistan

“…Similarly, the prevalence of anaplasmosis was significantly higher in goats than in sheep, regardless of the study area. These findings are in agreement with previous research by Selim et al [22], Yousefi et al [40], and Enkhtaivan et al [49], as they demonstrated higher infection rates in goats (71.3%, 21.3%, and 34.7%, respectively) compared to sheep (69%, 18.3%, and 20.8%, respectively). There is a local trend of rearing goats with cows by resource-limited smallholder dairy farmers in Pakistan.…”

Molecular detection and characterization of Anaplasma ovis, Theileria ovis, and Theileria lestoquardi in sheep and goats in Luxor, Egypt

“…In this study conducted in Egypt’s Luxor province, the rate of A. ovis infection in goats was 33.33%, which is higher than those detected by ELISA in goats in other Egyptian provinces, specifically in Alexandria (23.3%), Behirah (13.8%), Kafr El-Sheikh (22.6%), and El Gharbia (25%) [ 59 ].…”