Serological evaluation of Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in livestock in northwestern Spain.
Abstract: A total of 1,098 serum samples were analyzed against Anaplasma phagocytophilum by immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) test. These serum samples belonged to four different populations distributed throughout two provinces of Galicia (Ourense and Pontevedra) located in northwestern Spain: bovine population (456 samples); ovine population (389 samples); caprine population (207 samples); and equine population (46 serum samples, all from Pontevedra). The seroprevalence against A. phagocytophilum within the bovine population was 3.07%. On the other hand, two of 389 (0.51%) sheep and one of 207 (0.48%) goats tested were seropositive, all of them showing low antibody titer. Seroprevalence within the equine population was 6.52% (3/46). Our results reveal the presence of antibodies against A. phagocytophilum in livestock from northwestern Spain, mainly in Pontevedra.
Publication Date: 2006-11-23 PubMed ID: 17114760DOI: 10.1196/annals.1374.091Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The study evaluates the presence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, a bacterial infection, in livestock across two provinces in northwestern Spain by testing a total of 1,098 serum samples using the immunofluorescent antibody test. There is a noticeable presence of antibodies against this infection, particularly in the equine population.
Introduction
- Anaplasma phagocytophilum is a bacterial infection that affects livestock, and this study aimed to evaluate its prevalence in livestock in northwestern Spain.
- The assessment was carried out through an immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) test, which identifies specific antibodies in animal serum samples.
- The serum samples belonged to four livestock populations – bovine, ovine, caprine, and equine – in the provinces of Ourense and Pontevedra.
Methods and Sample Distribution
- The scientists collected and analyzed 1,098 serum samples representing four different types of livestock.
- The distribution of the samples was as follows – 456 bovine samples, 389 ovine samples, 207 caprine samples, and 46 equine samples. Notably, all the equine samples were from Pontevedra.
Findings
- The seroprevalence (the level of a pathogen in a population, as measured in blood serum) of A. phagocytophilum was different among the four livestock populations.
- Around 3.07% of the bovine population showed signs of the infection.
- In contrast, only 0.51% of sheep and 0.48% of goats tested positive.
- The equine population had the highest level of seroprevalence, with 6.52% testing positive for the infection.
- All of the seropositive cases showcased a low antibody titer, meaning the level of antibodies in the blood was relatively low.
Conclusion
- In summary, scientists confirmed the presence of A. phagocytophilum infection in livestock in northwestern Spain.
- Antibodies against the bacterial infection were mostly found in the equine population in Pontevedra.
- This research provides crucial information about the prevalence of A. phagocytophilum in livestock, which can contribute to future disease management strategies.
Cite This Article
APA
Amusategui I, Sainz A, Tesouro MA.
(2006).
Serological evaluation of Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in livestock in northwestern Spain.
Ann N Y Acad Sci, 1078, 487-490.
https://doi.org/10.1196/annals.1374.091 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Dpto. Medicina y Cirugía Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, UCM, Ciudad Universitaria s/n 28040, Madrid, Spain.
MeSH Terms
- Anaplasma phagocytophilum
- Animals
- Antibodies, Bacterial / blood
- Cattle
- Cattle Diseases / epidemiology
- Cattle Diseases / microbiology
- Ehrlichiosis / epidemiology
- Ehrlichiosis / veterinary
- Geography
- Goat Diseases / epidemiology
- Goat Diseases / microbiology
- Goats
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / microbiology
- Horses
- Seroepidemiologic Studies
- Sheep
- Sheep Diseases / epidemiology
- Sheep Diseases / microbiology
- Spain / epidemiology
Citations
This article has been cited 13 times.- Dorrego A, Olvera-Maneu S, Jose-Cunilleras E, Gago P, Raez A, Rivera B, Oporto A, Gonzalez S, Cruz-Lopez F. Molecular Detection of Theileria equi, Babesia caballi, and Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato in Hippobosca equina from Horses in Spain. Pathogens 2026 Jan 15;15(1).
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- Bogdan AM, Ionita M, Mitrea IL. Serological Evidence of Natural Exposure to Tick-Borne Pathogens in Horses, Romania. Microorganisms 2021 Feb 12;9(2).
- Teodorowski O, Kalinowski M, Winiarczyk D, Janecki R, Winiarczyk S, Adaszek Ł. Molecular surveillance of tick-borne diseases affecting horses in Poland-Own observations. Vet Med Sci 2021 Jul;7(4):1159-1165.
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