title: Tick-borne fever caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Germany: first laboratory confirmed case in a dairy cattle herd.
abstract: Four cows from North-West Germany have been diagnosed with tick-borne fever (TBF) based on the demonstration of morulae in neutrophilic granulocytes in their blood smears, positive signals in real-time PCR specific for  Anaplasma phagocytophilum  using DNA extracted from their buffy coats, and demonstration of specific antibodies in their sera using a commercially available immunofluorescence assay. Clinical findings included high fever, decreased milk production, lower limb edema with stiff walking, eye and nasal discharge, and depression. These signs developed about a week after the animals had been brought to the pasture for the first time in their life. All cows recovered after 5-15 days, although DNA of  A.phagocytophilum  could be detected by real-time PCR up to 6 weeks after onset of the disease. Considering the known prevalences of  A.phagocytophilum  in ticks in Germany and its detection in dogs and horses, we think that underdiagnosing of TBE in cattle is highly likely. Therefore TBF should be taken into account as differential diagnosis in case of high fever and/or a sudden decrease in milk production in pastured animals.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nieder
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Silaghi
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hamel
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pfister
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schmäschke
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pfeffer
mesh_terms: D041081:Anaplasma phagocytophilum / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D016873:Ehrlichiosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000382:microbiology; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial