ABSTRACT

The aim of this study is to detect the Anaplasma/Ehrlichia species of cattle and ticks and to provide knowledge on the prevalence of these species during sampling periods.

A total of 679 blood and 186 tick samples were collected from the Osmanbükü, Akçaova, Dalama, and Söke districts of Aydın. The samples were screened with genus polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for Anaplasma/Ehrlichia spp., species-specific polymerase chain reaction for Anaplasma marginale and A. centrale, and nested PCR for A. bovis and A. phagocytophilum.

A. centrale was detected in Söke during September and in Dalama and Akçaova during March, June, September, and December. A. marginale was detected in Osmanbükü during June; in Söke during March and December; in Akçaova during June, September, and March; and in Dalama during the entire sampling period. A. phagocytophilum was detected in all regions during the entire sampling period. None of the samples were positive for A. bovis. Mixed infections were detected in 50 blood samples. A. marginale and A. phagocytophilum were detected in the tick samples.

In this study, A. phagocytophilum was abundantly detected compared with A. marginale and A. centrale. A. phagocytophilum and A. centrale were extensively found in Akçaova and A. marginale was mostly seen in Dalama. Parasites were extensively detected in September and March. The analysis indicated that collected ticks were infected with different Anaplasma/Ehrlichia species. (Turkiye Parazitol Derg 2015; 39: 291-8)

Keywords: Anaplasma/Ehrlichia spp., tick, cattle, Aydın