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Home / Equine Research Bank / Animals (Basel) / Emergence of Novel Anaplasma Species in the Mediterranean Ar...
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2025; 15(7); 1029; doi: 10.3390/ani15071029

Emergence of Novel Anaplasma Species in the Mediterranean Area.

Abstract: The emergence of new strains in the Mediterranean region poses a challenge for both veterinary medicine and public health, as it can lead to more complex diagnostic and treatment strategies. Species related to and , two important tick-borne pathogens, have been reported in several Mediterranean countries. However, the data on their presence in Sardinia remain limited. This study aimed to such as or , in Using various molecular approaches targeting the and genes, the results confirm the presence of () and reveal the emergence of () and an -like strain, designated as -like 2, in Sardinian horses and cattle. These findings underscore the importance of ongoing surveillance in Sardinia and similar Mediterranean regions, as well as the urgent need for enhanced diagnostic tools and preventive strategies. Given the zoonotic potential of these emerging strains, these findings emphasize the need for greater vigilance in both veterinary and human health sectors to mitigate the risks associated with tick-borne species transmission. Ongoing research and proactive measures are essential to reduce the public health burden and prevent the spread of these pathogens across animal and human populations.
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Publication Date: 2025-04-02 PubMed ID: 40218422PubMed Central: PMC11988159DOI: 10.3390/ani15071029Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

Emerging strains of Anaplasma bacteria have been identified in the Mediterranean region, including Sardinia, complicating diagnosis and treatment of tick-borne diseases in both animals and humans.

Background and Importance

  • The study focuses on Anaplasma species, which are bacteria transmitted by ticks and can infect both animals and humans.
  • Two key pathogens, Anaplasma marginale and Anaplasma phagocytophilum, are well-known in the Mediterranean area for causing disease in livestock and humans.
  • The emergence of novel strains related to these pathogens suggests increasing complexity in managing tick-borne diseases in veterinary medicine and public health.
  • Previously, there has been limited data on the presence of these pathogens specifically in Sardinia, a Mediterranean island with extensive livestock farming and tick populations.

Study Objectives and Methods

  • The study aimed to investigate and characterize the presence of Anaplasma species such as A. marginale or A. phagocytophilum in livestock from Sardinia.
  • Molecular approaches were used to detect and analyze the pathogens, focusing on two genes commonly employed for identifying Anaplasma: the 16S rRNA and groEL genes.
  • Samples were collected from Sardinian horses and cattle to evaluate the spread and diversity of these bacteria within the local animal populations.

Key Findings

  • The study confirmed the presence of Anaplasma marginale in Sardinian animals, consistent with previous knowledge.
  • Importantly, it revealed the emergence of a new Anaplasma species and an Anaplasma phagocytophilum-like strain, which was designated as “A. phagocytophilum-like 2.”
  • These discoveries indicate greater genetic diversity of Anaplasma species circulating in the Mediterranean than previously documented.

Implications for Public and Veterinary Health

  • The identification of novel strains underscores the necessity of ongoing surveillance in Sardinia and comparable Mediterranean regions to monitor the evolution and spread of tick-borne pathogens.
  • There is an urgent need to develop enhanced diagnostic tools capable of detecting a broader range of Anaplasma strains, improving accuracy in clinical diagnosis.
  • Preventive strategies, such as tick control and vaccines, may require updates to address emerging strains adequately.
  • Given the zoonotic potential (ability to infect humans) of these Anaplasma strains, vigilance must be increased in both veterinary and human health sectors.
  • Such proactive measures are crucial to mitigate the risks these pathogens pose to animal health, public health, and agriculture-based economies.

Conclusions and Future Directions

  • The study highlights the dynamic nature of tick-borne disease pathogens and the emergence of novel Anaplasma species in a key Mediterranean ecosystem.
  • Ongoing research is essential to fully characterize these new strains, understand their pathogenicity, host range, and impact on health.
  • Collaborative efforts between veterinary scientists, public health officials, and researchers will be critical in managing and preventing further spread.
  • Ultimately, these measures aim to reduce the public health burden and safeguard animal populations from emerging tick-borne diseases.

Cite This Article

APA
(2025). Emergence of Novel Anaplasma Species in the Mediterranean Area. Animals (Basel), 15(7), 1029. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15071029

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 7
PII: 1029

Researcher Affiliations

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Santucciu C, Giordo MP, Tanda A, Chessa G, Senes M, Masu G, Masala G, Chisu V. First Survey on the Seroprevalence of Coxiella burnetii in Positive Human Patients from 2015 to 2024 in Sardinia, Italy.. Pathogens 2025 Aug 7;14(8).
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