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Home / Equine Research Bank / Korean J Parasitol / Molecular Detection and Phylogenetic Analysis of Anaplasma p...
The Korean journal of parasitology2018; 56(6); 559-565; doi: 10.3347/kjp.2018.56.6.559

Molecular Detection and Phylogenetic Analysis of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Horses in Korea.

Abstract: The identification and characterization of pathogenic and zoonotic tick-borne diseases like granulocytic anaplasmosis are essential for developing effective control programs. The differential diagnosis of pathogenic Anaplasma phagocytophilum and non-pathogenic A. phagocytophilum-like Anaplasma spp. is important for implementing effective treatment from control programs. The objective of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of Anaplasma spp. in horses in Korea by nucleotide sequencing and restriction enzyme fragment length polymorphism assay. Of the 627 horses included in the study, only 1 (0.2%) was infected with A. phagocytophilum. Co-infection with A. phagocytophilum- like Anaplasma spp. was not detected in the study. The 16S rRNA sequence of A. phagocytophilum was similar (99.5- 100%) to A. phagocytophilum 16S rRNA isolated from horses in other countries. PCR adapted to amplify A. phagocytophilum groEL and msp2 genes failed to generate amplicons, suggesting genetic diversity in these genes. This study is the first molecular detection of A. phagocytophilum in horses in Korea. Human granulocytic anaplasmosis and animal infection of A. phagocytophilum have been reported in Korea recently. Because of vector tick distribution, global warming, and the increase of the horse industry, horses should be considered as a potential reservoir for A. phagocytophilum, and cross infectivity should be evaluated even though a low prevalence of infection was detected in this study. Furthermore, continuous surveillance and effective control measures for A. phagocytophilum should be established to prevent disease distribution and possible transmission to humans.
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Publication Date: 2018-12-31 PubMed ID: 30630276PubMed Central: PMC6327205DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2018.56.6.559Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

This study focuses on the detection and analysis of a pathogenic, tick-borne disease, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, in horses in Korea. The high degree of genetic similarity with other international strains underlines the need for rigorous disease surveillance and management, despite the currently low prevalence rate of infection noted by the research.

Objective and Importance of the Study

  • The main aim of this research was to determine the prevalence of Anaplasma spp., specifically the pathogenic A. phagocytophilum, in horses in Korea. This was done through nucleotide sequencing and restriction enzyme fragment length polymorphism assays.
  • This study bears significance as the identification and characterization of zoonotic tick-borne diseases are crucial for developing effective control and treatment programs. Furthermore, the differentiation between pathogenic and non-pathogenic variants of the disease is equally important to ensure appropriate treatment.

Results and Findings

  • Out of a studied sample of 627 horses, only one (0.2%) tested positive for the A. phagocytophilum infection; no co-infection with non-pathogenic A. phagocytophilum-like Anaplasma spp. was found.
  • The research revealed that the genetic makeup of the A. phagocytophilum infection found in Korea showed similarity rates of 99.5-100% with A. phagocytophilum infections found in horses in different parts of the world.
  • However, the failure of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) to amplify A. phagocytophilum groEL and msp2 genes highlights genetic diversity and suggests the need for broader gene studies for a more comprehensive understanding of the disease.

Implications and Concerns

  • As the first molecular detection study on A. phagocytophilum in Korean horses, this research holds great significance. The existence of human granulocytic anaplasmosis and animal infection by A. phagocytophilum in Korea has been previously reported.
  • The researchers underscore a number of risk factors, including the distribution of vector ticks, climate change, and the growth of the horse industry, in the potential spread of this infection. Despite the presently low prevalence of A. phagocytophilum infection, horses should be viewed as possible infection reservoirs and cross infectivity should be evaluated.
  • The study reaffirms the importance of continued monitoring and effective disease outbreak management to prevent A. phagocytophilum spread and potential transmission to humans.

Cite This Article

APA
Seo MG, Ouh IO, Choi E, Kwon OD, Kwak D. (2018). Molecular Detection and Phylogenetic Analysis of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Horses in Korea. Korean J Parasitol, 56(6), 559-565. https://doi.org/10.3347/kjp.2018.56.6.559

Publication

The Korean journal of parasitology
ISSN: 1738-0006
NlmUniqueID: 9435800
Country: Korea (South)
Language: English
Volume: 56
Issue: 6
Pages: 559-565

Researcher Affiliations

Seo, Min-Goo
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea.
  • Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon 39660, Korea.
Ouh, In-Ohk
  • Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon 39660, Korea.
Choi, Eunsang
  • Mari Equine Clinic, Busan 46745, Korea.
Kwon, Oh-Deog
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea.
Kwak, Dongmi
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea.
  • Cardiovascular Research Institute, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41944, Korea.

MeSH Terms

  • Anaplasma phagocytophilum / classification
  • Anaplasma phagocytophilum / genetics
  • Anaplasma phagocytophilum / isolation & purification
  • Animals
  • Cluster Analysis
  • DNA, Bacterial / chemistry
  • DNA, Bacterial / genetics
  • DNA, Ribosomal / chemistry
  • DNA, Ribosomal / genetics
  • Ehrlichiosis / epidemiology
  • Ehrlichiosis / parasitology
  • Ehrlichiosis / veterinary
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / parasitology
  • Horses
  • Korea / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Phylogeny
  • Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length
  • Prevalence
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / genetics
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Sequence Homology

Conflict of Interest Statement

CONFLICT OF INTEREST. We have no conflict of interest related to this work.

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Citations

This article has been cited 5 times.
  1. Seo MG, Lee H, Alkathiri B, Ahn K, Lee SH, Shin S, Bae S, Kim KT, Jang M, Lee SK, Cho YS, Eo KY, Kwon OD, Kwak D. Tick Populations and Molecular Analysis of Anaplasma Species in Ticks from the Republic of Korea. Microorganisms 2023 Mar 23;11(4).
    doi: 10.3390/microorganisms11040820pubmed: 37110242google scholar: lookup
  2. Seo MG, Ouh IO, Kwak D. Detection and Genotypic Analysis of Anaplasma bovis and A. phagocytophilum in Horse Blood and Lung Tissue. Int J Mol Sci 2023 Feb 7;24(4).
    doi: 10.3390/ijms24043239pubmed: 36834651google scholar: lookup
  3. Selim A, Attia KA, Alsubki RA, Albohairy F, Kimiko I, Said MB. The first study on the seroprevalence of Anaplasma spp. in small ruminants and assessment of associated risk factors in North Egypt. Vet World 2022 May;15(5):1221-1227.
    doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2022.1221-1227pubmed: 35765471google scholar: lookup
  4. Seo HJ, Truong AT, Kim KH, Lim JY, Min S, Kim HC, Yoo MS, Yoon SS, Klein TA, Cho YS. Molecular Detection and Phylogenetic Analysis of Tick-Borne Pathogens in Ticks Collected from Horses in the Republic of Korea. Pathogens 2021 Aug 24;10(9).
    doi: 10.3390/pathogens10091069pubmed: 34578102google scholar: lookup
  5. Kasozi KI, Welburn SC, Batiha GE, Marraiki N, Nalumenya DP, Namayanja M, Matama K, Zalwango KK, Matovu W, Zirintunda G, Ekou J, Kembabazi S, Mugasa CM, Kitibwa A, Tayebwa DS, Musinguzi SP, Mahero M, Ssengendo I, Nanteza A, Matovu E, MacLeod ET. Molecular epidemiology of anaplasmosis in small ruminants along a human-livestock-wildlife interface in Uganda. Heliyon 2021 Jan;7(1):e05688.
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