Detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in wild boar in Slovenia

摘要: Human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA) comprises a group of emerging tick-borne infectious diseases and it is caused by the intracellular bacteria, Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Infections with spp. have been described in humans animals. Many studies performed to elucidate natural cycle A. phagocytophilum, but competent reservoir host has not clearly established Europe [1]. Roe red deer represent very important for adult tick I. ricinus, vector could therefore also serve as phagocytophilum enzootic transmission this bacterium Two genetic lineages groESL operon were among isolates from Slovenia. However, both differed single variant, found all Slovenian HGA patients [2]. PCR screening different wild animals Austria Czech Republic showed that boar (Sus scrofa) infected [3]. Nucleotide sequences obtained these identical Interestingly, German horse equine ehrlichiosis was an variant detected [4]. In years 2002 2007, 248 boars locations Slovenia shot professional hunters. Blood spleen samples collected hunters analysed infection species our laboratory. DNA extracted 135 (year 2002) 113 blood 2007) previously For initial segment 16S rDNA used All positive additionally amplified nested targeting variants The gene conservative, only amplicons further sequencing. To obtain variation sequenced on strands using TREECON software. A phylogenetic tree constructed neighbour-joining method. Support nodes calculated 1000 bootstrap replicates. Of (2002) (2007) samples, six (4.4%) four (3.5%) tested presence Anaplasmae DNA, respectively. subsequently samples. homology search alignment 100% identity human patient (acc. no. AF033101) Ixodes ricinus EU246961) (Fig. 1). Genetic each other. Our study confirms naturally 10 (4.0%) two years. hunted geographical area (Czech Republic) results accordance findings Scandinavian dogs horses differ nucleotides, are These differences might suggest variability contribute Corresponding author reprint requests: Tatjana Avsic Županc, Institute Microbiology Immunology, Faculty Medicine, Zaloska 4, SI–1000 Ljubljana, E-mail: tatjana.avsic@mf.uni-lj.si