Dogs as New Hosts for the Emerging Zoonotic Pathogen Anaplasma capra in China

Anaplasma capra is an emerging zoonotic tick-borne pathogen with a broad host range including the ticks and many mammals. Dogs as primary companion not only have a close relationship with humans but also regularly contact with the external environment. Moreover, dogs had been reported as hosts of A. phagocytophilum, A. platys, A. ovis, and A. bovis. To confirm whether dogs are also A. capra hosts, pathogens DNA from 521 dogs blood samples were extracted, followed by PCR amplification of the A. capra citrate synthase gene (gltA), heat shock protein gene (groEL), and major surface protein 4 gene (msp4). A. capra was identified in 63 specimens. No significant difference were observed between genders (P = 0.578) and kinds (P = 0.154). Risk factor analysis showed that significantly high A. capra infections occurred dogs contact with vegetation (P = 0.002), aged over 10 years (P = 0.040), and during the summer season (P =0 .006). Phylogenetic analysis based on gltA, groEL, and msp4 demonstrated that isolates obtained in this study were clustered within the clade inside A. capra, but were distinct from other Anaplasma spp. In conclusion, dogs have been documented as hosts of the human pathogenic A. capra. Considering the affinity between dogs and humans and the zoonotic nature of A. capra, dogs should be carefully monitored for the presence of ticks.

Abstract licence: CC BY

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