The Occurrence of Zoonotic Anaplasma phagocytophilum Strains, in the Spleen and Liver of Wild Boars from North-West and Central Parts of Poland

Abstract

Purpose The Anaplasma genus includes a Gram-negative bacterium infecting the blood cells of wild and domestic mammals, causing tick-borne fever. Infection with pathogenic Anaplasma phagocytophilum strains may cause Human Granulocytic Anaplasmosis. Wild boars (Sus scrofa) may act as natural wild reservoir hosts for potentially zoonotic A. phagocytophilum strains; however, there is still little data to confirm this statement. The aim of this study was to verify whether wild boars can be classified as natural reservoirs of Anaplasma spp. and to compare the suitability of spleen and liver samples for such analysis. Methods Liver and spleen samples were collected from 59 wild boars (2017–2019). The organs were tested for Anaplasma phagocytophilum using short (partial) fragments of three markers: 16S rRNA, groEL, ankA. Results Anaplasma spp. DNA was detected in 12 out of 59 samples, with a prevalence of 20.34%. The presence of A. phagocytophilum was confirmed by sequencing of the partial 16S rRNA gene. Positive individuals were tested for the characteristic markers: groEL and ankA. The analysis of the nucleotide sequences of 16S rRNA, groEL and ankA, indicated that the strains of A. phagocytophilum detected in these studies are potentially zoonotic for humans. Conclusion Wild boars from Poland can be classified as a natural reservoir of the zoonotic strain of Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Both the spleen and the liver tissues were found to be suitable materials for the detection of A. phagocytophilum.

Serological Analysis of IgG and IgM Antibodies against Anaplasma spp. in Various Animal Species of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

“…In addition, our study investigated Anaplasma antibody levels in serum samples from pigs and chickens, which are two animal types for which there are few reports of Anaplasma infection or even detection of antibody levels. Although molecular tests in past studies may have identified unrecognized infections in wild boars and birds [ 17 , 42 ], our results detected only IgG antibodies and no IgM positivity in pigs and chickens of the QTPA.…”

“…are obligate intracellular bacteria from the order Rickettsiales and the family Anaplasmataceae, and are serious TBPs that cause anaplasmosis in humans and animals by infecting red and white blood cells [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]. Anaplasmosis is characterized by hemolytic anemia in various animal species and is endemic in various tropical and subtropical regions worldwide [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ].…”

“…The most important Anaplasma species that affect animals and humans are Anaplasma phagocytophilum , Anaplasma ovis , Anaplasma capra , Anaplasma marginale , Anaplasma bovis , and Anaplasma platys . A. phagocytophilum is an emergent tick-borne zoonotic pathogen transmitted by Ixodes tick species worldwide that affects humans, dogs, cats, horses, sheep, goats, cattle, donkeys, camels, and wild boars, causing human and animal granulocytic anaplasmosis [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ]. The economic impacts of A. ovis and the unclassified species A. capra are more pronounced in sheep and goats [ 20 ].…”

Detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Wild and Farmed Cervids in Poland

“…was detected using semi-nested PCR to amplify the partial 16S rDNA gene with specific primers: for the primary reaction: A500 F 5′CGTTGTTCGGAATTATTGGGCGTA-3′, A900 R 5′-CCATGCAGCACCTGTGCGAG-3′ and for the semi-nested reaction: A520 F 5′-GGGCATGTAGGCGGTTCGGT-3′, A900 R 5′-CCATGCAGCACCTGTGCGAG-3′ [ 17 ]. DNA isolated from wild boar ( Sus scrofa ) infected with A. phagocytophilum (MT510541.1) was used as a positive control [ 19 ]. Nuclease-free water was added to the PCR mix as a negative control.…”

“…( D. reticulatus, D. albipictus ) [ 11 , 12 ]. An infected tick can transmit A. phagocytophilum to a range of vertebrate hosts including small mammals, wild cervids and carnivores, wild boars, horses, cattle and domestic animals [ 1 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ]. The role of wildlife in the circulation of A. phagocytophilum is yet to be clearly determined, but several species of wild ruminants are thought to be important reservoirs [ 12 ].…”