☆ 4.4 Article

Molecular detection and characterization of Anaplasma platys in dogs and ticks in Cuba

TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES (2016)

Journal

TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES

Volume 7, Issue 5, Pages 938-944

Publisher

ELSEVIER GMBH

DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2016.04.012

Keywords

Anaplasma platys; Dogs; Canine cyclic thrombocytopenia; Polymerase chain reaction; Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato

Funding

Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) [089/2010]
National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq)
'Carlos Chagas Filho' Foundation for Research Support of the State of Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ)

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Abstract

Canine cyclic thrombocytopenia, an infectious disease caused by Anaplasma platys is a worldwide dog health problem. This study aimed to detect and characterize A. platys deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in dogs and ticks from Cuba using molecular methods. The study was conducted in four cities of Cuba (Habana del Este, Boyeros, Cotorro and San Jose de las Lajas). Blood samples were collected from 100 dogs in these cities. The animals were inspected for the detection of tick infestation and specimens were collected. Genomic DNA was extracted from dog blood and ticks using a commercial kit. Genomic DNA samples from blood and ticks were tested by a nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) to amplify 678 base pairs (bp) from the 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) of A. platys. Positive samples in nPCR were also subjected to PCR to amplify a fragment of 580 bp from the citrate synthase (gltA) gene and the products were sequenced. Only Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (s.l.) was found on dogs, and 10.20% (n = 5/49) of these ticks plus sixteen percent (16.0%, n =16/100) of dogs were considered positive for A. platys by nPCR targeting the 16S rDNA gene. All analyzed gltA and 16S rDNA sequences showed a 99-100% identity with sequences of A. platys reported in around the world. Phylogenetic analysis showed two defined clusters for the 16S rDNA gene and three defined clusters for the gltA gene. Based on the gltA gene, the deduced amino acid sequence showed two mutations at positions 88 and 168 compared with the sequence DQ525687 (GenBank ID from Italian sample), used as a reference in the alignment. A preliminary study on the epidemiological aspects associated with infection by A. platys showed no statistical association with the variables studied (p > 0.05). This is the first evidence of the presence of A. platys in dogs and ticks in Cuba. Further studies are needed to evaluate the epidemiological aspects of A. platys infection in Cuban dogs. (C) 2016 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

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Molecular detection of tick-borne pathogens in Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu stricto collected from dogs in the steppe and high plateau regions of Algeria

AbdElkarim Laatamna, Christina Strube, Deon K. Bakkes, Sabine Schaper, Fatima Zohra Aziza, Hanan Ben Chelef, Nour El Houda Amrane, Ramlia Bedraoui, Gerhard Dobler, Lidia Chitimia-Dobler

Summary: A molecular investigation was conducted on important tick-borne pathogens in Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu stricto collected from domestic dogs in steppe and high plateau areas of central and eastern Algeria. The study revealed a high prevalence of Hepatozoon spp., with additional detections of Babesia vogeli, Anaplasma platys, Rickettsia spp., and Ehrlichia canis. Further large scale studies are needed to better understand the epidemiology and distributions of canine tick-borne pathogens in Algeria.

ACTA TROPICA (2022)