High prevalence of asymptomatic Anaplasma spp. infection in school-aged children in southeastern Gabon

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the detection rates of asymptomatic Anaplasma spp. and Ehrlichia spp. infections in children in southeastern Gabon.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among school-aged children in southeastern Gabon between May and June 2021. Blood samples were collected. Anaplasmataceae, Anaplasma spp., and Ehrlichia spp. were detected by microscopy and polymerase chain reaction.

Results: Of the 452 blood samples collected, 57.5% (n/N=260/452) of the samples were positive for Anaplasma spp. and/or Ehrlichia spp. by microscopy, 86.9% (n/N=393/452) of the samples were positive for both Anaplasmataceae and Anaplasma spp., and none of the samples were found positive for Ehrlichia spp. PCR was more sensitive and specific than microscopy for detection of Anaplasma spp..

Conclusions: In our study, a significant number of positive blood samples for Anaplasma spp. were found in school-aged children in southeastern Gabon. Further studies are needed to determine the prevalence of different species of Anaplasma, their pathogenicity, and their transmission patterns.

Keywords: Anaplasma; Anaplasmataceae; Diagnosis; Ehrlichia; Gabon; Tick-borne diseases.