Prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in horses from Southern Punjab (Pakistan)

摘要

The present study was designed to optimize a PCR-RFLP protocol for the moleculardetection of Anaplasma sp. and to compare its prevalence in blood samples of equines fromSouthern Punjab (Pakistan) and to find out the risk factors involved in the spread ofanaplasmosis. A total of 210 blood samples were collected from equines from 2 sampling sites(Dera Ghazi Khan and Khanewal districts). Data on the animals’ characteristics (age, speciesand gender) were collected through survey. PCR amplified the 577bp product specific for 16SrRNA gene of Anaplasma spp. in 9 blood samples (4.3% of total), [Dera Ghazi Khan (N = 3) andKhanewal (N = 6)]. These Anaplasma spp. positive blood samples were used for PCRamplification using A. phagocytophilum specific primers and parasite was detected in all ofthem. Also it was revealed that the characteristics of the animals i.e. age, gender, species hadno significant association with the presence of Anaplasma sp. Hematological parametersremained unaffected while lymphocyte count was significantly lowered in A. phagocytophilumpositive samples.