Anaplasma phagocytophilum seroprevalence in equids: a survey in Sicily (Italy).
Abstract: This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in Equidae and investigate the possibility of exposure to the organism in Sicily (Southern Italy). During the study blood samples were collected in horses and donkeys housed in five of the nine provinces of Sicilian Island. Of 133 horses and 100 donkeys tested, respectively 9.0% and 6.0% were seroactive (IFAT) with A. phagocytophilum antigen. In only 4.7% of the horses, specific A. phagocytophilum DNA was recorded; in donkey, Anaplasma DNA was not found. Our results indicate a low prevalence of A. phagocytophilum in Sicilian equids. This condition does not justify the exclusion of equids from prophylactic plans for this multihost pathogen infection, a zoonosis with a wide distribution in other European countries. However, further studies are necessary to elucidate the possible mechanisms that involve the Equidae as host of this pathogen.
Publication Date: 2012-02-24 PubMed ID: 22362364DOI: 10.1007/s00436-012-2854-5Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research study is about measuring the occurrence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in horses and donkeys in Sicily, Italy. The findings indicate a low rate of infection but suggest that this should not leave out equine animals from preventive measures for this common infection.
Objective and Methodology
- The key objective of the research was to ascertain the prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, a bacterial pathogen causing illness in animals and humans, in horses and donkeys in Sicily, Southern Italy.
- The researchers collected blood samples from equids housed across five of Sicily’s nine provinces.
Results
- Out of the 133 horses and 100 donkeys examined, 9.0% of horses and 6.0% of donkeys showed seroactivity (a sign of infection) with A. phagocytophilum antigen.
- Specific A. phagocytophilum DNA was identified in only 4.7% of the horses. No such DNA was found in any of the donkeys.
Interpretation and Implications
- The data revealed a low prevalence of A. phagocytophilum in Sicilian equids, which is below what could be typically expected based on studies in other regions.
- Despite the low prevalence, the researchers caution that this should not exclude equids from being included in preventive measures against this pathogen. This is especially crucial as it is a multihost pathogen, causing illness across a wide variety of hosts, including humans.
- Meanwhile, the research also opens up the need for further studies to understand more about the potential mechanisms that involve equids as hosts of this pathogen.
Cite This Article
APA
Giudice E, Giannetto C, Furco V, Alongi A, Torina A.
(2012).
Anaplasma phagocytophilum seroprevalence in equids: a survey in Sicily (Italy).
Parasitol Res, 111(2), 951-955.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-012-2854-5 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica Veterinaria, Facoltà di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Messina, polo universitario dell'Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy.
MeSH Terms
- Anaplasma phagocytophilum
- Animals
- Antibodies, Bacterial / blood
- Ehrlichiosis / epidemiology
- Ehrlichiosis / parasitology
- Ehrlichiosis / veterinary
- Equidae
- Female
- Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect
- Immunoglobulin G
- Male
- Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
- Seroepidemiologic Studies
- Sicily / epidemiology
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