Characterization of Anaplasma Infections in Sicily, Italy

This study aimed to characterize infection with Anaplasma marginale, A. phagocytophilum, A. ovis, and A. platys in humans, animals, and ticks in Sicily, Italy, during 2003-2006. Serologic (competitive ELISA [cELISA]) and indirect immunofluorescence antibody [IFA]; N = 1990) and DNA (polymerase chain reaction [PCR]; N = 2788) tests were conducted on horse, donkey, cattle, sheep, goat, pig, dog, cat, roe deer, wild boar, human, and tick samples. The results reported herein suggested that in Sicily cattle are a major reservoir for A. marginale, dogs for A. platys, and sheep and goats for A. ovis. Domestic animals, such as cattle, horses, donkeys, sheep, dogs, and cats, may serve as reservoir for A. phagocytophilum, but different strains may infect ruminants and humans. All Anaplasma spp. characterized in Sicily had some distinctive genotypes for this region. Low genetic diversity was observed in A. ovis and A. platys, whereas A. marginale and A. phagocytophilum strains showed high genetic diversity. These results expanded our knowledge about the prevalence of Anaplasma spp. in Sicily and provided information to understand the epidemiology of these infections and implement measures to diagnose, treat, and control transmission to humans and animals in this region.