Molecular detection and characterization of Anaplasma spp. in cattle and sable antelope from Lusaka and North-Western provinces of Zambia

Rhodasi Mwale; Malala Mulavu; Cynthia Sipho Khumalo; Andrew Mukubesa; King Nalubamba; Benjamin Mubemba; Katendi Changula; Edgar Simulundu; Simbarashe Chitanga; Boniface Namangala; Liywali Mataa; Victor Chisha Zulu; Musso Munyeme; Walter Muleya

doi:10.1016/j.vprsr.2023.100847

Molecular detection and characterization of Anaplasma spp. in cattle and sable antelope from Lusaka and North-Western provinces of Zambia

Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports. 2023 Apr:39:100847. doi: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2023.100847. Epub 2023 Feb 13.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, P.O Box 32379, Lusaka, Zambia.
² Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, P.O Box 32379, Lusaka 10101, Zambia.
³ Department of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, P.O Box 32379, Lusaka, Zambia.
⁴ Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, P.O Box 32379, Lusaka, Zambia.
⁵ Department of Wildlife Sciences, School of Natural Resources, Copperbelt University, P.O Box 21692, Kitwe, Zambia.
⁶ Department of Paraclinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, P.O. Box 32379, Lusaka 10101, Zambia.
⁷ Department of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, P.O Box 32379, Lusaka, Zambia; Macha Research Trust, P.O. Box 630166, Choma, Zambia.
⁸ Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, P.O Box 32379, Lusaka 10101, Zambia; Department of Preclinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences & Veterinary Medicine, University of Namibia, Namibia; School of Life Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering & Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
⁹ Department of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Lusaka 50060, Zambia.
¹⁰ Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, P.O Box 32379, Lusaka, Zambia. Electronic address: walter.muleya@unza.zm.

PMID: 36878632
DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2023.100847

Abstract

Rickettsiales of the genus Anaplasma are globally distributed tick-borne pathogens of animals and humans with complex epidemiological cycles. Anaplasmosis is an important livestock disease in Zambia but its epidemiological information is inadequate. This study aimed to detect and characterize the species of Anaplasma present in domestic and wild ruminants in Zambia with a focus on the infection risk posed by the translocation of sable antelope (Hippotragus niger) from North-Western Province to Lusaka Province. Archived DNA samples (n = 100) extracted from whole blood (sable n = 47, cattle n = 53) were screened for Anaplasmataceae using 16S rRNA partial gene amplification followed by species confirmation using phylogenetic analysis. Out of the 100 samples, Anaplasma species were detected in 7% (4/57) of the cattle and 24% (10/43) of the sable antelope samples. Of the 14 positive samples, five were determined to be A. marginale (four from cattle and one from sable), seven were A. ovis (sable) and two were A. platys (sable). Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA partial gene sequences revealed genetic proximity between A. ovis and A. marginale, regardless of host. The detection of Anaplasma in wildlife in Zambia shows the risk of transmission of Anaplasma species associated with wildlife translocation.

Keywords: Anaplasma species; Anaplasmataceae; Anaplasmosis; Molecular epidemiology; Tick-borne diseases; Zambia.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

Anaplasma / genetics
Animals
Antelopes*
Cattle
Humans
Mustelidae*
Phylogeny
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / genetics
Sheep
Zambia / epidemiology

Substances

RNA, Ribosomal, 16S