Molecular identification of Anaplasma bovis and Anaplasma marginale in cows of Gilan province

The genus Anaplasma includes species of gram-negative, intracellular bacteria that can affect human and animal health. Anaplasmosis is of special economic importance in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. These arthropod-borne bacteria all infect the blood cells of eukaryotic hosts and are located exclusively in the intracytoplasmic vacuoles of the cell. The aim of this study was molecular identification of Anaplasma bovis and Anaplasma marginale species in cows of Gilan province. This study was performed on 200 samples of cow blood collected from different parts of Gilan province during 1397. DNA was first extracted from blood samples, and using nested-PCR method, in the first stage, fragment of 1468 bp of Anaplasma16 S rRNA gene was amplified with a specific primer pair. Then, using the original PCR product, the 345 bp fragment was amplified by another specific primer pair. All positive bovine samples were examined by specific nested-PCR for the presence of Anaplasma bovis. Also from positive DNA extraction samples, using a pair of specific primers that amplified the 866 bp fragment of the Anaplasma marginale msp4 gene, reproduced. In total, 17% of cows were infected with Anaplasma bovis and 20% with Anaplasma marginale. In connection with the effect of variables: Different seasons, different ages and types of livestock on the level of livestock pollution, no significant difference was observed (P>0.05).  Since in Gilan province, suitable conditions are provided for the activity of most hard ticks, therefore, different species of Anaplasma are common in cows of Gilan province.