Molecular detection, genotyping and phylogeny of Anaplasma spp. in Rhipicephalus ticks from Tunisia.

In Tunisia, most of Anaplasma species and unclassified strains have been detected in several animals, but data on the occurrence of Anaplasma spp. in ticks are still lacking. In this study, we report the molecular evidence, genetic characterization and phylogeny of Anaplasma spp.

Genetic characterization of Anaplasma marginale strains from Tunisia using single and multiple gene typing reveals novel variants with an extensive genetic diversity.

Anaplasma marginale, which is responsible for bovine anaplasmosis in tropical and subtropical regions, is a tick-borne obligatory intraerythrocytic bacterium of cattle and wild ruminants. In Tunisia, information about the genetic diversity and the phylogeny of A. marginale strains are limited to the msp4 gene analysis.