Seroprevalence and Risk Factors of Anaplasma marginale in Water Buffaloes in Nile Delta of Egypt.

Purpose: Bovine anaplasmosis is a major tick-borne disease in ruminants, resulting in significant economic loss for the dairy sector. This study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence of Anaplasma marginale (A. marginale) in buffaloes in three governorates in Nile Delta of Egypt.

Method: A total of 400 serum samples from water buffaloes were examined using commercial cELISA kit.

Results: The overall seroprevalence of A. marginale was 12.5% and Kafr ElSheikh governorate has the highest seroprevalence rate (15.28%). The seroprevalence was higher in females (13.33%) than males with non-significant difference. Moreover, adult animals older than 8 years exhibited a significant risk for A. marginale seropositivity (22.92%), particularly during the summer (22.52%) and autumn (13.73%). Significant differences (P < 0.05) in seroprevalence rates were observed between tick-infested animals (14.96%) and those not treated with acaricides (17.7%), highlighting the influence of tick infestation and lack of acaricidal intervention on infection rates.

Conclusion: The present study revealed the existence of antibodies against A. marginale in water buffaloes reared in Nile Delta of Egypt. Thus, the proper policies and control program should be adopted to reduce spreading of infection.