title: Temporal and spatial variation in Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in Swedish moose (Alces alces).
abstract: The occurrence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum was investigated in spleen and serum samples from Swedish moose (Alces alces) in southern Sweden (island and mainland). Samples were analysed for presence of A. phagocytophilum DNA by real-time PCR (n = 263), and for Anaplasma antibodies with ELISA serology (n = 234). All serum samples had antibodies against A. phagocytophilum. The mean DNA-based prevalence was 26·3%, and significant (P < 0·01) temporal, and spatial variation was found. Island moose had significantly (P < 0·001) higher prevalence of A. phagocytophilum DNA than moose from the mainland areas. Two samples were sequenced to determine genetic variation in the 16S rRNA and groESL genes. Genetic sequence similarity with the human granulocytic anaplasmosis agent, equine granulocytic ehrlichiosis agent, and different wildlife-associated A. phagocytophilum variants were observed in the 16S rRNA and groESL genes. Our study shows that moose are exposed to A. phagocytophilum in Sweden, and represent a potential wildlife reservoir of the pathogen.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Wildlife Diseases, National Veterinary Institute, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Malmsten
authors.affiliation: Division of Reproduction, Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: D Gavier
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Widén
authors.affiliation: Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rydevik
authors.affiliation: University of Nottingham School of Veterinary Medicine & Science, Sutton Bonington, UK.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yon
authors.affiliation: Disease Systems, Scottish Agricultural College, Edinburgh, UK.
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Hutchings
authors.affiliation: Centre for Fish and Wildlife Research, Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden.
authors.forename: C-G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Thulin
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Wildlife Diseases, National Veterinary Institute, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Söderquist
authors.affiliation: Department of Bacteriology, National Veterinary Institute, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aspan
authors.affiliation: Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stuen
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Wildlife Diseases, National Veterinary Institute, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: A-M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Dalin
mesh_terms: D041081:Anaplasma phagocytophilum / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018833:Chaperonins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D003670:Deer; D004197:Disease Reservoirs; D016873:Ehrlichiosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D014644:Genetic Variation; D008297:Male; D012329:RNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; C097970:GroESL protein, Bacteria; D012329:RNA, Bacterial; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; D018833:Chaperonins