Anaplasma Phagocytophilum, a Zoonotic Vector‐Borne Bacterial Species in Rodents and Its Associated Tick Vector: Systematic Review

ABSTRACT Background The bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum, the causative agent of tick‐borne fever, is alleged to be naturally maintained in a tick‐rodent cycle, with human beings involved only as incidental impasse hosts. This study was undertaken to update scientific evidence on the occurrence o...

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Main Authors: Maropeng C. Monyama, Tsepo Ramatla, Bradly Khosa, Tshepo Mafokwane, Oriel Thekisoe
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-05-01
Series:Veterinary Medicine and Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.70387
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author Maropeng C. Monyama
Tsepo Ramatla
Bradly Khosa
Tshepo Mafokwane
Oriel Thekisoe
author_facet Maropeng C. Monyama
Tsepo Ramatla
Bradly Khosa
Tshepo Mafokwane
Oriel Thekisoe
author_sort Maropeng C. Monyama
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Background The bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum, the causative agent of tick‐borne fever, is alleged to be naturally maintained in a tick‐rodent cycle, with human beings involved only as incidental impasse hosts. This study was undertaken to update scientific evidence on the occurrence of A. phagocyphilum in rodents and its associated tick species. Results The systematic review was executed using the PRISMA guidelines to assess and compile the relevant literature. Published journal articles from 1 January 2000 to August 2023 were sourced from three electronic databases, including PubMed, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar, and after evaluation of the articles, ultimately 23 were eligible for this systematic review. Of the eligible studies, 43.5% did not report on the detection of A. phagocytophilum in tick species but only in rodents, whilst 26.1% of the studies, reported on negative detection of A. phagocytophilum in both rodents and ticks. In terms of rodents, there were 11 genera observed from the eligible studies with Apodemus spp. being the most frequently reported host, followed by Microtus spp. and Myodes spp. Ixodes ticks including I. ricinus and I. trianguliceps were the most frequent tick species investigated as arthropod carriers/vectors in the studies, followed by Dermacentor and Haemaphysalis tick species. Conclusions This study has consolidated information from published articles on the role that rodents play as hosts or carriers of A. phagocytophilum and the possible role that related tick species play as vectors. Various tick species play a significant role as vectors of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and infect a wide array of rodent hosts that may possibly interact with humans
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spelling doaj-art-e0f41b9c503e49b3be94b2c1e1fb320f2025-08-20T02:30:12ZengWileyVeterinary Medicine and Science2053-10952025-05-01113n/an/a10.1002/vms3.70387Anaplasma Phagocytophilum, a Zoonotic Vector‐Borne Bacterial Species in Rodents and Its Associated Tick Vector: Systematic ReviewMaropeng C. Monyama0Tsepo Ramatla1Bradly Khosa2Tshepo Mafokwane3Oriel Thekisoe4Department of Life and Consumer Sciences University of South Africa Florida South AfricaCentre for Applied Food Safety and Biotechnology, Department of Life Sciences Central University of Technology Bloemfontein South AfricaDepartment of Life and Consumer Sciences University of South Africa Florida South AfricaDepartment of Life and Consumer Sciences University of South Africa Florida South AfricaUnit for Environmental Sciences and Management North‐West University Potchefstroom South AfricaABSTRACT Background The bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum, the causative agent of tick‐borne fever, is alleged to be naturally maintained in a tick‐rodent cycle, with human beings involved only as incidental impasse hosts. This study was undertaken to update scientific evidence on the occurrence of A. phagocyphilum in rodents and its associated tick species. Results The systematic review was executed using the PRISMA guidelines to assess and compile the relevant literature. Published journal articles from 1 January 2000 to August 2023 were sourced from three electronic databases, including PubMed, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar, and after evaluation of the articles, ultimately 23 were eligible for this systematic review. Of the eligible studies, 43.5% did not report on the detection of A. phagocytophilum in tick species but only in rodents, whilst 26.1% of the studies, reported on negative detection of A. phagocytophilum in both rodents and ticks. In terms of rodents, there were 11 genera observed from the eligible studies with Apodemus spp. being the most frequently reported host, followed by Microtus spp. and Myodes spp. Ixodes ticks including I. ricinus and I. trianguliceps were the most frequent tick species investigated as arthropod carriers/vectors in the studies, followed by Dermacentor and Haemaphysalis tick species. Conclusions This study has consolidated information from published articles on the role that rodents play as hosts or carriers of A. phagocytophilum and the possible role that related tick species play as vectors. Various tick species play a significant role as vectors of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and infect a wide array of rodent hosts that may possibly interact with humanshttps://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.70387Anaplasma phagocytophilumrodentstick vector
spellingShingle Maropeng C. Monyama
Tsepo Ramatla
Bradly Khosa
Tshepo Mafokwane
Oriel Thekisoe
Anaplasma Phagocytophilum, a Zoonotic Vector‐Borne Bacterial Species in Rodents and Its Associated Tick Vector: Systematic Review
Veterinary Medicine and Science
Anaplasma phagocytophilum
rodents
tick vector
title Anaplasma Phagocytophilum, a Zoonotic Vector‐Borne Bacterial Species in Rodents and Its Associated Tick Vector: Systematic Review
title_full Anaplasma Phagocytophilum, a Zoonotic Vector‐Borne Bacterial Species in Rodents and Its Associated Tick Vector: Systematic Review
title_fullStr Anaplasma Phagocytophilum, a Zoonotic Vector‐Borne Bacterial Species in Rodents and Its Associated Tick Vector: Systematic Review
title_full_unstemmed Anaplasma Phagocytophilum, a Zoonotic Vector‐Borne Bacterial Species in Rodents and Its Associated Tick Vector: Systematic Review
title_short Anaplasma Phagocytophilum, a Zoonotic Vector‐Borne Bacterial Species in Rodents and Its Associated Tick Vector: Systematic Review
title_sort anaplasma phagocytophilum a zoonotic vector borne bacterial species in rodents and its associated tick vector systematic review
topic Anaplasma phagocytophilum
rodents
tick vector
url https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.70387
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