A molecular prevalence survey on Anaplasma infection among domestic ruminants in Khartoum State, Sudan

This study was conducted in Khartoum State, Sudan to determine the prevalence and the risk factors associated withAnaplasma andEhrlichia species infections in domestic ruminants. Blood samples were collected from a total of 594 animals from 32 different farms distributed in the three provinces of Khartoum State. Among the 196 cattle, 200 sheep, and 198 goats examined using PCR, 13.27%, 32.50%, and 35.86% were infected withAnaplasma spp., respectively, with an overall prevalence of 27.27%. Cattle were infected withA. marginale (10.71%),A. centrale (2.04%), andA. ovis (0.51%), while sheep and goats were infected withA. ovis being significantly higher compared with cattle. NoEhrlichia spp. was detected in domestic ruminant in Khartoum State. Prevalence rates ofAnaplasma infections were highly associated with breed, location, season, and sex. The prevalence rates ofAnaplasma infection were significantly higher in exotic goat breeds compared with indigenous, and the infection in sheep and cattle was significantly higher in summer and in autumn in goats. TheAnaplasma spp. infection rate in goats was significantly higher in females. The infection rate was also significantly higher in Khartoum North in both sheep and goats. It could be concluded thatAnaplasma infection is prevalent in small and large ruminants in Khartoum State. Therefore, further studies on the epidemiology of anaplasmosis, possible tick, lice, and flea vectors and reservoirs in Sudan are important.
Source: Tropical Animal Health and Production - Category: Veterinary Research Source Type: research