Molecular survey of zoonotic Anaplasma phagocytophilum and genetic evidence of a putative novel Anaplasma species in goats from Taif, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Aim: Genus Anaplasma is of veterinary and public health importance, and its members utilize ruminants as key hosts in their epidemiology. To date, information about the occurrence and molecular identity of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and other Anaplasma species in Saudi Arabian goats is scarce. This study aimed to molecularly detect and characterize zoonotic A. phagocytophilum and other Anaplasma spp. in goats from Taif District, KSA. Materials and Methods: Blood samples collected from 67 goats were polymerase chain reaction tested using common and A. phagocytophilum-specific primers targeting 16S rRNA and msp4 genes, respectively. Amplicons of common reactions were purified, sequenced, and analyzed. Results: Six goats yielded positive results with common primers, whereas all animals proved negative for A. phagocytophilum. Analysis of the two successfully sequenced amplicons revealed the presence of a variant strain of Anaplasma ovis (99.52% ID) and a new Anaplasma organism, which was clustered with Anaplasma bovis (95.9% ID) and Aegyptianella pullorum (94.99% ID) and distinctly separated from all other recognized species of the genus Anaplasma. Conclusion: The tested goats proved negative for A. phagocytophilum; however, we could not confirm that the area is pathogen free. A variant strain of A. ovis and a putative novel Anaplasma spp. were reported raising the concern of veterinary and zoonotic potential. Other genes should be sequenced and analyzed for complete identification of the detected organisms.