Anaplasma centrale in South Africa : occurrence phylogeny and genetic diversity

Abstract

In summary, this study presents a novel genetic test based on msp1aS to discriminate strains of A. centrale and shows that the vaccine strain is found widely distributed across South Africa and in animals that do not have a history of vaccination. Results also indicate the significance of wildlife as a reservoir host for A. centrale. The phylogenetic analysis presented, together with differences in genome architecture, msp1?/msp1aS gene sequence, and the biology of tick transmissibility, provided sufficient divergence between A. centrale and A. marginale to classify them as separate species. The findings from this study furthermore suggested that R. evertsi evertsi, R. appendiculatus and R. microplus may be responsible for transmission of A. centrale. This study contributes greatly to the description and the taxonomic status of A. centrale.