Seroprevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum among healthy dogs and horses in Israel.

The study evaluates the exposure of domestic dogs and horses to the bacterium, Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Israel. It reveals that some dogs have antibodies against this bacteria, implying potential exposure, while horses showed no such indications.

Objective of the research

• This research was primarily initiated to understand the prevalence of antibodies to Anaplasma phagocytophilum (a bacterium causing infection in humans and animals) in domestic dogs and horses in Israel.

Testing Process

• The researchers analyzed the blood samples of 195 dogs and 300 horses for the presence of A. phagocytophilum antibodies. These antibodies indicate past or current infection with A. phagocytophilum.
• The samples were also tested for the presence of Ehrlichia canis, another bacterial species which can sometimes cross-react with A. phagocytophilum.
• The presence of antibodies was determined using the immunofluorescence antibody (IFA) test, which is a laboratory technique used in microbiology to visualize an antigen-antibody reaction.

Results

• Out of the dogs tested, 9% were found to have antibodies reacting to A. phagocytophilum and 30% to E. canis.
• It was also found that 29% of dogs that were positive for E. canis also had reactive antibodies to A. phagocytophilum, suggesting a potential cross reaction between the two bacteria.
• None of the horses tested were found to have antibodies reacting to A. phagocytophilum, even though ticks, which are the carriers of these bacteria, are commonly found on horses in Israel during the summer months.

Conclusion

• The study suggests that dogs in Israel could have accidentally been exposed to A. phagocytophilum, possibly through tick bites from migrating birds. However, the cross-reaction with E. canis is also a probability that should not be overlooked.
• In contrast, there was no evidence suggesting horses’ exposure to A. phagocytophilum, despite the high tick prevalence during the summer.