title: First molecular detection and genetic analysis of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in shelter cats in Seoul, Korea.
abstract: Here, we report the molecular detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in shelter cats in Korea and the relationships between A. phagocytophilum gene sequences and the pathogenicity, region, and host specificity of this bacterium. Two (0.9%) out of 222 shelter cats from Seoul, Korea, yielded positive results for the A. phagocytophilum 16S rRNA, groEL, and msp2 genes. Phylogenetic analysis divided groEL gene sequences into two groups (alanine and serine), based on their nucleotide and amino acid sequences. A. phagocytophilum msp2 gene sequences were grouped per the region of isolation (Europe vs. USA, including Korea). Some nucleotide and amino acid sequences of groEL and msp2 showed distinctive patterns according to the region of isolation, which helped in distinguishing A. phagocytophilum gene sequences detected in Korea from those detected in the USA and Europe. Although the limited number of clinical anaplasmosis cases caused by A. phagocytophilum belonging to the alanine group prevents any firm conclusions, the results of the present study tend to refute the previous view that the pathogenicity of A. phagocytophilum is associated with the serine group. Moreover, our results suggest that genetic analyses of groEL and msp2 can be used to obtain a regional fingerprint of A. phagocytophilum.
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea; Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: ggabheal@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Seung-Hun
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: sweetys.white@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Dorene
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: VanBik
authors.affiliation: Seoul Metropolitan Government Research Institute of Public Health & Environment, Gyunggi, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: salmonella@seoul.go.kr.
authors.forename: Neung-Hee
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: psj26@knu.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Sang-Joon
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: odkwon@knu.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Oh-Deog
authors.initials: OD
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: thkim56@knu.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Tae-Hwan
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea; Cardiovascular Research Institute, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: dmkwak@knu.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Dongmi
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kwak
mesh_terms: D041081:Anaplasma phagocytophilum / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D000827:Animal Welfare; D000818:Animals; D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D002415:Cats; D018834:Chaperonin 60 / Q000235:genetics; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D016873:Ehrlichiosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D066106:Seoul / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins; D018834:Chaperonin 60; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; C488283:msp2 protein, Anaplasma phagocytophilum
keywords: 16S rRNA; Anaplasma phagocytophilum; Shelter cat; Zoonosis; groEL; msp2