# Molecular Prevalence and Phylogenetic Analysis of Anaplasma spp. in Goats from Adana, Türkiye

## TL;DR

This study found a 15.1% prevalence of Anaplasma ovis and a 3% prevalence of A. phagocytophilum in goats in Adana, Türkiye, and identified a new variant of A. phagocytophilum for the first time in the region.

## Contribution

The first detection of A. phagocytophilum-like 2 in goats in Türkiye and the identification of new phylogenetic variants.

## Key findings

- Anaplasma ovis was detected in 15.1% of goat samples.
- A. phagocytophilum-like 2 was detected for the first time in goats in Türkiye.
- Two distinct groups of A. ovis isolates were identified with a single nucleotide difference.

## Abstract

Anaplasmosis is a very important disease due to the economic losses it causes in animals and the potential for transmission to humans via ticks. Adana province is a province with a suitable climate and geography for the spread of anaplasmosis. In relation to intensive goat farming, this study aimed to investigate Anaplasma agents and related strains in goats. Blood samples from a total of 364 goats were collected, and the presence of 55 Anaplasma spp. was assessed by PCR. In this study, A. ovis was detected in 55 samples (15.1%) and A. phagocytophilum in 11 samples (3%). Nine A. phagocytophilum isolates were detected as A. phagocytophilum-like 1 and one isolate as A. phagocytophilum-like 2 by DNA sequencing. Anaplasma ovis isolates were categorized into two groups, with a single nucleotide difference between them. Here, the isolate defined as A. phagocytophilum-like 2 was detected in goats for the first time in Türkiye. Adana province may be a potential region for the identification of new variants. More frequent epidemiological studies in this region will be useful in managing the Anaplasmosis threat.

Anaplasmosis is a disease in animals that leads to significant economic losses. In addition, the zoonotic potential of vector-borne Anaplasma species is increasing its importance, both around the world and in Türkiye, in particular. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and phylogenetic profile of Anaplasma species in goats from the districts of Adana province, Türkiye, via molecular methods. For this purpose, blood samples from 364 goats of various breeds, ages, and genders were collected, and the presence of 55 Anaplasma spp. was determined through the PCR method. Anaplasma ovis was detected in 55 samples (15.1%) and A. phagocytophilum in 11 samples (3%) by Nested-PCR. However, A. capra was not detected. The phylogenetic relationships of A. ovis and A. phagocytophilum were investigated by DNA sequencing of the msp4 and 16S rRNA gene regions. Through sequence analysis in A. phagocytophilum, we identified nine isolates as A. phagocytophilum-like 1 and one isolate as A. phagocytophilum-like 2. Forty-six of the A. ovis isolates were 100% similar to each other. The other 2 isolates were also 100% similar to each other but had a single nucleotide difference from the other 46 isolates. Notably, the isolate identified as A. phagocytophilum-like 2 was detected for the first time in goats in Türkiye.