Detecting Anaplasma phagocytophilum DNA in blood of roe deer and ticks.

摘要

The aim of the study was to establish the role of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) as reservoirs of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and the role of Ixodes ricinus ticks as vectors of this pathogen in Northwest Poland. Blood samples from 127 roe deer were collected between May and June 2004 and between September and December 2004. 51 of the 63 roe deer caught between May and June 2004 and 7 of the 64 roe deer caught between September and December 2004 were infested by I. ricinus ticks. A total of 170 common ticks were collected from 45.7% of the roe deer. PCR amplification of a fragment of the msp2 gene was used for detecting A. phagocytophilum DNA. The DNA was detected in 30 of the blood samples (23.6%) and in 10 ticks collected from the animals (5.9%). 28.6% of the roe deer caught between May and June 2004 and 18.75% of the roe deer caught between September and December 2004 were infected, but this difference was not significant. 5.3% of I. ricinus ticks were infected by A. phagocytophilum. It is clear that C. capreolus is a significant reservoir of A. phagocytophilum in Northwest Poland. In addition, I. ricinus is a significant vector in this area..