Molecular prevalence and associated risk factors of Anaplasma ovis in Pakistani sheep

Abstract

Out of 239 samples, 30 (12.5%) amplified a 347 bp fragment specific for the <i>msp4</i> gene of <i>Anaplasma ovis</i>. Represented partial <i>msp4</i> gene sequences were confirmed by Sanger sequencing and deposited to GenBank (OP620757-59). None of the studied epidemiological factors (age, sex, breed, size of herd, dogs with herd, and composition of herd) showed an association (<i>P</i> > 0.05) with the <i>Anaplasma ovis</i> infection in enrolled sheep. Analysis of the amplified partial <i>mSP4</i> sequence of <i>Anaplasma ovis</i> revealed that this gene is highly conserved as all three sequences were identical and phylogenetically resembled with the <i>msp4</i> sequences amplified from small ruminants in China, Kenya, and Germany, Turkey, Portugal, Tunisia and India. In conclusion, for the first time, we are reporting a moderate prevalence of <i>Anaplasma ovis</i> prevalence in Pakistani sheep and this data will help in developing the integrated control policies against this newly reported tick-borne disease that is infecting our sheep breeds.