title: Evidence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in game animals from Slovenia.
abstract: Anaplasma phagocytophilum is a tick-borne rickettsial pathogen responsible for granulocytic anaplasmosis in mammalian hosts including humans. Wild animals may play an important role in the epidemiology of this disease. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of infection with A. phagocytophilum among wildlife in Slovenia. Serum samples (n = 376) from the most important game species [red deer (Cervus elaphus), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), wild boar (Sus scrofa), chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) and brown bear (Ursus arctos)] were examined by A. phagocytophilum-specific indirect fluorescent-antibody assay (IFA) and wild boar spleen samples (n = 160) were tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A. phagocytophilum-specific antibodies were found in 72% of sera and A. phagocytophilum DNA was present in 6.2% of spleens. The data indicate that A. phagocytophilum is present and widespread in Slovenian game animals and that game species are involved in the natural life cycle of A. phagocytophilum.
authors.affiliation: University of Ljubljana, Veterinary Faculty Institute for Breeding and Health Care of Wild Animals, Fish and Bees Gerbiceva 60 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zele
authors.forename: Jana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Avberšek
authors.forename: Igor
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gruntar
authors.forename: Matjaž
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ocepek
authors.forename: Gorazd
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vengušt
mesh_terms: D041081:Anaplasma phagocytophilum; D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild; D003670:Deer; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D017524:Slovenia; D034421:Sus scrofa; D013987:Ticks