Molecular detection of Anaplasma sp. and Ehrlichia sp. in ticks collected in domestical animals, Colombia.

The research article discusses the molecular detection of Anaplasma and Ehrlichia species, two important tick-borne pathogens causing disease in several animals and humans, from ticks collected from horses, dogs, and cattle in Cordoba, Colombia.

Study Aim and Methodology

• The objective of this study was to find molecular evidence of Anaplasma sp. and Ehrlichia sp. in ticks collected from domestic animals in Cordoba, Colombia. There was very limited information on these two microbial pathogens in the area before this research.
• A total of 1,105 ticks were collected from 226 zebu cattle, 87 dogs, and 19 horses, from various places in Cordoba.
• These ticks were identified taxonomically and subjected to PCR assays (a laboratory technique used to amplify and simultaneously quantify a targeted DNA molecule) to check for the DNA from Anaplasma and Ehrlichia species.
• The DNA was amplified, sequenced, and the resultant sequences were then analysed.
• The ticks were grouped into 332 pools for the PCR assay.

Study Findings

• Out of 1,105 ticks, 61.5% (679 ticks) were Rhipicephalus microplus, collected from cattle; 32% (353 ticks) were Rhipicephalus sanguineus from dogs; and 6.6% (73 ticks) were Dermacentor nitens collected from horses.
• Anaplasma and Ehrlichia DNA was detected in 5.7% (19 out of 332 pools).
• The sequence of the DNA amplification products indicated significant matches to several tick-borne pathogens. Specifically, seven sequences showed 99-100% similarity with Anaplasma marginale, one sequence was identical to Anaplasma phagocytophilum, seven sequences were identical to Ehrlichia ewingii, and one sequence was identical to E. chaffensis.
• Furthermore, three sequences showed similarities of 99% and 95% with Ehrlichia mineirensis and Ehrlichia canis respectively.

Conclusion & Implications

• The study concluded that there is a potential risk for the emergence of tick-borne diseases among domestic animals and humans in Colombia due to the identification of several tick-borne pathogens in their survey.
• This research gives important evidence about the circulation of harmful Ehrlichia and Anaplasma species in ticks in Cordoba region, providing valuable insights for public health and veterinary interventions.