# Detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Babesia aktasi in a wild bezoar goat (Capra aegagrus): Overlap with domestic goat strains

## TL;DR

This study reports the first detection of two tick-borne pathogens in wild bezoar goats, suggesting they may play a role in spreading these diseases alongside domestic goats.

## Contribution

First molecular detection of Babesia aktasi and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in wild bezoar goats, indicating potential pathogen exchange with domestic goats.

## Key findings

- Babesia aktasi and Anaplasma phagocytophilum were detected in a wild bezoar goat with no acute symptoms.
- B. aktasi was closely related to strains found in domestic goats in Türkiye and a red deer.
- The A. phagocytophilum strain belonged to a human-pathogenic ecotype, raising zoonotic concerns.

## Abstract

This study reports the first detection of Babesia aktasi and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in a bezoar goat (Capra aegagrus), providing insight into the presence of these pathogens in wild caprinae. The infected goat exhibited a localised ocular infection but showed no clinical signs of acute piroplasmid or Anaplasma infections. Microscopic examination of blood smears revealed low parasitemia of intra‐ and extraerythrocytic piroplasms and intragranulocytic morulae, consistent with chronic infection. PCR and sequence analysis confirmed that the Babesia species detected was B. aktasi, a recently described piroplasmid previously reported in domestic goats. Phylogenetic analysis placed the B. aktasi haplotype within the Babesia sensu stricto clade, closely related to sequences from domestic goats in Türkiye and an uncharacterised Babesia sp. from a red deer. The A. phagocytophilum strain detected in this study belonged to ecotype 1, which includes human pathogenic strains. These findings raise the possibility that bezoar goats may contribute to the natural maintenance of B. aktasi and A. phagocytophilum, highlighting their potential involvement in the enzootic cycles of these pathogens alongside domestic caprinae. Given that bezoar goats are the ancestors of modern domestic goats and that their habitats overlap in Anatolia, further research is needed to better understand the transmission dynamics, vector associations and zoonotic potential of these pathogens.

This study provides the first molecular detection of tick‐borne pathogens in Capra aegagrus.Genetic analysis reveals similarities between Babesia aktasi and Anaplasma phagocytophilum strains in bezoar and domestic goats, indicating potential pathogen exchange.This study expands our knowledge of tick‐borne pathogens in wild goat populations, highlighting the presence of pathogens not previously detected in this species.

This study provides the first molecular detection of tick‐borne pathogens in Capra aegagrus.

Genetic analysis reveals similarities between Babesia aktasi and Anaplasma phagocytophilum strains in bezoar and domestic goats, indicating potential pathogen exchange.

This study expands our knowledge of tick‐borne pathogens in wild goat populations, highlighting the presence of pathogens not previously detected in this species.