Molecular evidence of the reservoir competence of water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) for Anaplasma marginale in Cuba.

Water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) is a potential reservoir for Anaplasma marginale in livestock ecosystems of tropical countries. However, their participation in the epidemiological process of bovine anaplasmosis in endemic areas remains unclear. In the present study, the reservoir competence of water buffalo for A.

Molecular identification of Anaplasma marginale in two autochthonous South American wild species revealed an identical new genotype and its phylogenetic relationship with those of bovines.

Background: Anaplasma marginale is a well-known cattle pathogen of tropical and subtropical world regions. Even though, this obligate intracellular bacterium has been reported in other host species different than bovine, it has never been documented in Myrmecophaga tridactyla (giant anteater) or Hippocamelus antisense (taruca), which are two native endangered species.

Methods: Samples from two sick wild animals: a Myrmecophaga tridactyla (blood) and a Hippocamelus antisense (blood and serum) were studied for the presence of A.