title: Genetic diversity and molecular epidemiology of Anaplasma.
abstract: Anaplasma are obligate intracellular bacteria of cells of haematopoietic origin and are aetiological agents of tick-borne diseases of both veterinary and medical interest common in both tropical and temperate regions. The recent disclosure of their zoonotic potential has greatly increased interest in the study of these bacteria, leading to the recent reorganisation of Rickettsia taxonomy and to the possible discovery of new species belonging to the genus Anaplasma. This review is particularly focused on the common and unique characteristics of Anaplasma marginale and Anaplasma phagocytophilum, with an emphasis on genetic diversity and evolution, and the main distinguishing features of the diseases caused by the different Anaplasma spp. are described as well.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra, 50, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, Bo, Italy. Electronic address: mara.battilani@unibo.it.
authors.forename: Mara
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Battilani
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra, 50, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, Bo, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: De Arcangeli
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra, 50, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, Bo, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Balboni
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra, 50, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, Bo, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dondi
mesh_terms: D000709:Anaplasma / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D042322:Anaplasma marginale / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D000712:Anaplasmosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000635:transmission; D000818:Animals; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D005075:Biological Evolution; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000635:transmission; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D014644:Genetic Variation; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D010802:Phylogeny; D058974:Phylogeography; D017282:Tick-Borne Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary*; D013987:Ticks / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D004269:DNA, Bacterial
keywords: Anaplasma spp.; Evolution; Genetic diversity; Phylogeography