Molecular Detection and Phylogenetic Analysis of <i>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</i> and Related Strains in Cattle from Henan, China

<i>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</i> is a zoonotic pathogen transmitted by arthropod vectors. The pathogen infects various vertebrate hosts, causing mild to severe illness. Molecular studies have demonstrated that <i>A</i>. <i>phagocytophilum</i> exhibits a high level...

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Main Authors: Yaqun Yan, Yongli Wang, Yanyan Cui, Jin Wang, Shuhua Fan, Changshen Ning
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Veterinary Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/12/3/252
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author Yaqun Yan
Yongli Wang
Yanyan Cui
Jin Wang
Shuhua Fan
Changshen Ning
author_facet Yaqun Yan
Yongli Wang
Yanyan Cui
Jin Wang
Shuhua Fan
Changshen Ning
author_sort Yaqun Yan
collection DOAJ
description <i>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</i> is a zoonotic pathogen transmitted by arthropod vectors. The pathogen infects various vertebrate hosts, causing mild to severe illness. Molecular studies have demonstrated that <i>A</i>. <i>phagocytophilum</i> exhibits a high level of genetic diversity, with two <i>A. phagocytophilum</i>-related variants identified in several countries. This study represents the first application of PCR amplification and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in conjunction with DNA sequencing to investigate the frequency and phylogenetic relationships of <i>A. phagocytophilum</i> and its related strains in cattle from China. A total of 662 bovine blood samples were collected from diverse regions within Henan Province, China, and pathogen DNA was detected in 75 samples, comprising 11.33% of the total. PCR-RFLP analysis identified three strains with frequency rates of 2.87% (19/662) for <i>A. phagocytophilum</i>, 11.33% (75/662) for <i>A. phagocytophilum</i>-like 1, and 3.22% (22/662) for <i>A. phagocytophilum</i>-like 2. Additionally, co-infections involving <i>A. phagocytophilum</i> and <i>A. phagocytophilum</i>-like 1 were observed as well as between <i>A. phagocytophilum</i>-like 1 and <i>A. phagocytophilum</i>-like 2. <i>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</i>-like strains 1 and 2 should be considered when diagnosing bovine anaplasmosis. Despite recent molecular studies of <i>A. phagocytophilum</i>-related strains, there remains a shortage of data concerning vector capability, the epidemiology of the disease, clinical signs, and genetic diversity of the pathogens. Thus, large-scale investigations involving animals and tick vectors are necessary to obtain more detailed information concerning the etiology of anaplasmosis.
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spelling doaj-art-b75477a046e947feb8f0100700f8f41a2025-08-20T01:49:53ZengMDPI AGVeterinary Sciences2306-73812025-03-0112325210.3390/vetsci12030252Molecular Detection and Phylogenetic Analysis of <i>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</i> and Related Strains in Cattle from Henan, ChinaYaqun Yan0Yongli Wang1Yanyan Cui2Jin Wang3Shuhua Fan4Changshen Ning5College of Life Science and Agronomy, Zhoukou Normal University, Zhoukou 466000, ChinaCollege of Life Science and Agronomy, Zhoukou Normal University, Zhoukou 466000, ChinaSchool of Biotechnology and Food, Shangqiu Normal University, Shangqiu 476000, ChinaCollege of Life Science and Agronomy, Zhoukou Normal University, Zhoukou 466000, ChinaCollege of Life Science and Agronomy, Zhoukou Normal University, Zhoukou 466000, ChinaCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China<i>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</i> is a zoonotic pathogen transmitted by arthropod vectors. The pathogen infects various vertebrate hosts, causing mild to severe illness. Molecular studies have demonstrated that <i>A</i>. <i>phagocytophilum</i> exhibits a high level of genetic diversity, with two <i>A. phagocytophilum</i>-related variants identified in several countries. This study represents the first application of PCR amplification and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in conjunction with DNA sequencing to investigate the frequency and phylogenetic relationships of <i>A. phagocytophilum</i> and its related strains in cattle from China. A total of 662 bovine blood samples were collected from diverse regions within Henan Province, China, and pathogen DNA was detected in 75 samples, comprising 11.33% of the total. PCR-RFLP analysis identified three strains with frequency rates of 2.87% (19/662) for <i>A. phagocytophilum</i>, 11.33% (75/662) for <i>A. phagocytophilum</i>-like 1, and 3.22% (22/662) for <i>A. phagocytophilum</i>-like 2. Additionally, co-infections involving <i>A. phagocytophilum</i> and <i>A. phagocytophilum</i>-like 1 were observed as well as between <i>A. phagocytophilum</i>-like 1 and <i>A. phagocytophilum</i>-like 2. <i>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</i>-like strains 1 and 2 should be considered when diagnosing bovine anaplasmosis. Despite recent molecular studies of <i>A. phagocytophilum</i>-related strains, there remains a shortage of data concerning vector capability, the epidemiology of the disease, clinical signs, and genetic diversity of the pathogens. Thus, large-scale investigations involving animals and tick vectors are necessary to obtain more detailed information concerning the etiology of anaplasmosis.https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/12/3/252<i>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</i><i>A. phagocytophilum</i>-like 1 and 2cattlePCR-RFLPphylogeny
spellingShingle Yaqun Yan
Yongli Wang
Yanyan Cui
Jin Wang
Shuhua Fan
Changshen Ning
Molecular Detection and Phylogenetic Analysis of <i>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</i> and Related Strains in Cattle from Henan, China
Veterinary Sciences
<i>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</i>
<i>A. phagocytophilum</i>-like 1 and 2
cattle
PCR-RFLP
phylogeny
title Molecular Detection and Phylogenetic Analysis of <i>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</i> and Related Strains in Cattle from Henan, China
title_full Molecular Detection and Phylogenetic Analysis of <i>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</i> and Related Strains in Cattle from Henan, China
title_fullStr Molecular Detection and Phylogenetic Analysis of <i>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</i> and Related Strains in Cattle from Henan, China
title_full_unstemmed Molecular Detection and Phylogenetic Analysis of <i>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</i> and Related Strains in Cattle from Henan, China
title_short Molecular Detection and Phylogenetic Analysis of <i>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</i> and Related Strains in Cattle from Henan, China
title_sort molecular detection and phylogenetic analysis of i anaplasma phagocytophilum i and related strains in cattle from henan china
topic <i>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</i>
<i>A. phagocytophilum</i>-like 1 and 2
cattle
PCR-RFLP
phylogeny
url https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/12/3/252
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