title: Molecular detection of Anaplasma spp. in pangolins (Manis javanica) and wild boars (Sus scrofa) in Peninsular Malaysia.
abstract: Anaplasma spp. infects a wide variety of wildlife and domestic animals. This study describes the identification of a novel species of Anaplasma (Candidatus Anaplasma pangolinii) from pangolins (Manis javanica) and Anaplasma bovis from wild boars (Sus scrofa) in Malaysia. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, Candidatus Anaplasma pangolinii is identified in a distinct branch within the family Anaplasmataceae, exhibiting the closest sequence similarity with the type strains of Anaplasma bovis (97.7%) and Anaplasma phagocytophilum (97.6%). The sequence also aligned closely (99.9%) with that of an Anaplasma spp. (strain AnAj360) detected from Amblyomma javanense ticks. The nearly full length sequence of the 16S rRNA gene derived from two wild boars in this study demonstrated the highest sequence similarity (99.7%) to the A. bovis type strain. Partial 16S rRNA gene fragments of A. bovis were also detected from a small population of Haemaphysalis bispinosa cattle ticks in this study. Our finding suggests a possible spread of two Anaplasma species in the Malaysian wildlife and ticks. The zoonotic potential of the Anaplasma species identified in this study is yet to be determined.
authors: Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Malaysia.
authors: Fui Xian
authors: FX
authors: Koh
authors: Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Malaysia.
authors: Kai Ling
authors: KL
authors: Kho
authors: Veterinary Research Institute, 59, Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, 31400, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
authors: Chandrawathani
authors: C
authors: Panchadcharam
authors: Department of Wildlife and National Parks Peninsular Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors: Frankie Thomas
authors: FT
authors: Sitam
authors: Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Malaysia. Electronic address: tayst@um.edu.my.
authors: Sun Tee
authors: ST
authors: Tay
mesh_terms: D000709:Anaplasma / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000712:Anaplasmosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D000818:Animals; D008296:Malaysia / Q000453:epidemiology; D010802:Phylogeny; D034421:Sus scrofa; D013552:Swine; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*
keywords: Anaplasma bovis; Candidatus anaplasma pangolinii; Malaysia; Pangolin; Wild boar