title: Molecular and serological evidence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection of farm animals in the Black Sea Region of Turkey.
abstract: This study was designed to determine the presence and the prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in sheep and cattle in the Middle and Eastern Black Sea Regions of Turkey in which the potential vector, Ixodes ricinus, is widespread. Blood samples were collected from 720 sheep and 720 cattle from 6 provinces of the region, and used for detecting antibodies to A. phagocytophilum by indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and specific nucleic acids by a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Blood smears were also prepared and examined microscopically for the presence of A. phagocytophilum-like organisms in polymorphonuclear cells. Of the animals examined, antibodies were detected in 110 (15.27%) cattle and 107 (14.86%) sheep and A. phagocytophilum-like organisms were detected in the blood of 73 (10.13%) cattle and 71 (9.86%) sheep. In addition, specific DNA was detected in the blood of 27 (14.75%) cattle and 22 (12.35%) sheep. The results obtained constitute the first molecular and serological evidence of A. phagocytophilum infection in sheep and cattle in the Black Sea Region of Turkey.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Kafkas, Kars 36040, Turkey. devrek@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Halil Ibrahim
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Gokce
authors.forename: Oktay
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Genc
authors.forename: Atila
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Akca
authors.forename: Zati
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Vatansever
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Unver
authors.forename: Hidayet Metin
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Erdogan
mesh_terms: D041081:Anaplasma phagocytophilum / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood*; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D016873:Ehrlichiosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect / Q000662:veterinary; D018884:Ixodes / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012756:Sheep; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D004269:DNA, Bacterial