title: First molecular survey and novel genetic variants' identification of Anaplasma marginale, A. centrale and A. bovis in cattle from Tunisia.
abstract: Few data are available about the presence and distribution of Anaplasma species in cattle in North African countries. In this study prevalence, co-infections, risk factors and genetic diversity of Anaplasma species were evaluated in bovines from Northern Tunisia. A total of 232 cattle from 36 randomly selected farms in three Tunisian localities were investigated for the presence of Anaplasma species in blood by Real-time PCR and/or nested PCR. Overall infection rates of Anaplasma spp., Anaplasma marginale, Anaplasma centrale and Anaplasma bovis were 34.9%, 25.4%, 15.1%, and 3.9%, respectively. Anaplasma phagocytophilum was not detected in cattle. The most common co-infection pattern was an association of A. marginale and A. centrale (11.2%). Five cattle (2.1%) all reared in the sub-humid bioclimatic area, were co-infected by the three Anaplasma species. Molecular prevalence of Anaplasma infection varied significantly according to locality, bioclimatic area, tick infestation and type of breeding. Animals of the Holstein breed were less infected by A. marginale and A. centrale than other breeds. Genetic analysis of A. marginale msp4 gene indicated a high sequence diversity of Tunisian strains, suggesting a multiple introduction of infected cattle from different origins. Phylogenetic studies based on the 16S rRNA gene showed that the most prevalent A. centrale strains were closely related to the A. centrale vaccine strain. Moreover, all A. bovis variants clustered with other A. bovis sequences obtained from domestic and wild ruminant strains. This is the first molecular investigation on Anaplasma species in Tunisian cattle providing pivotal background for designing epidemiological studies and to develop control strategies in the country.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Microbiologie, Ecole Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire, Institution de la Recherche et de l'Enseignement Supérieur Agricoles, Université de La Manouba, 2020 Sidi Thabet, Tunisia; Faculté des Sciences de Bizerte, Université de Carthage, 7021 Jarzouna, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Hanène
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Belkahia
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Microbiologie, Ecole Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire, Institution de la Recherche et de l'Enseignement Supérieur Agricoles, Université de La Manouba, 2020 Sidi Thabet, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Mourad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ben Said
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alberti
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Biotechnologie et Valorisation des Bio-Géo Ressources, Institut Supérieur de Biotechnologie de Sidi Thabet, Université de La Manouba, 2020 Sidi Thabet, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Khaoula
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Abdi
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Microbiologie, Ecole Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire, Institution de la Recherche et de l'Enseignement Supérieur Agricoles, Université de La Manouba, 2020 Sidi Thabet, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Zakia
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Issaoui
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Microbiologie, Ecole Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire, Institution de la Recherche et de l'Enseignement Supérieur Agricoles, Université de La Manouba, 2020 Sidi Thabet, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Dorra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hattab
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Parasitologie, Ecole Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire, Institution de la Recherche et de l'Enseignement Supérieur Agricoles, Université de La Manouba, 2020 Sidi Thabet, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gharbi
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Microbiologie, Ecole Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire, Institution de la Recherche et de l'Enseignement Supérieur Agricoles, Université de La Manouba, 2020 Sidi Thabet, Tunisia. Electronic address: lilia_messadi@yahoo.fr.
authors.forename: Lilia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Messadi
mesh_terms: D042321:Anaplasma centrale / Q000235:genetics*; D042322:Anaplasma marginale / Q000235:genetics*; D000712:Anaplasmosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D000818:Animals; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D014644:Genetic Variation; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D058889:Molecular Typing; D010802:Phylogeny; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D014416:Tunisia / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C085498:Msp4 protein, Anaplasma marginale; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
keywords: 16S rRNA and msp4 genes; Anaplasma bovis; Anaplasma centrale; Anaplasma marginale; Novel genetic variants; Tunisian cattle