Current challenges in the diagnosis and control of bovine anaplasmosis

Authors

  • Katherine M. Kocan Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078
  • Johann F. Coetzee Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011
  • Douglas L. Step Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078
  • Jose de la Fuente Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078; Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ronda de Toledo s / n, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain
  • Edmour F. Blouin Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078
  • Emily Reppert Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078
  • Katharine M. Simpson Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078
  • Melanie J. Boileau Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21423/bovine-vol46no2p67-77

Keywords:

bovine anaplasmosis, Anaplasma marginale, vaccines, treatment, chemotherapy, ticks, anaplasmoses, diagnosis, diagnostic techniques, disease control, disease prevention, disease transmission, ELISA, immunodiagnosis, tetracyclines, tickborne diseases, antibiotics, animal production

Abstract

Bovine anaplasmosis, caused by the intracellular rickettsia Anaplasma marginale, continues to impact cattle production in the US. Control and management of bovine anaplasmosis is influenced by our understanding of the complexity of this pathogen, interactions with both cattle and tick hosts, and the disease. A. marginale is maintained in nature through biological transmission by ticks and mechanical transmission by any means of blood transfer from infected to susceptible cattle. The major surface protein 5 (MSP5)-based cELISA, approved for use in the US and Canada, has proven to be a sensitive serologic test. However, more recently this test has been shown to be cross-reactive with closely related organisms, including A. phagocytophilum, because of the conservation of MSP5. Therefore, additional molecular tests may be required in some situations to confirm the identity of the infective agent. While tetracycline antimicrobials are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for prevention or treatment of acute anaplasmosis, no antimicrobials are labeled for elimination of persistent A. marginale infection. Administration of tetracyclines is an important means of preventing clinical anaplasmosis, but does not prevent cattle from becoming infected with A. marginale. The mode of action of tetracycline is bacteriostatic rather than bactericidal, and its long-term use does not consistently clear cattle of persistent A. marginale infections. USDA approved vaccines for anaplasmosis are currently unavailable. The challenges of vaccine development include the antigenic variation of A. marginale that occurs during persistent infections and the increased antigenic diversity of A. marginale strains, especially in areas of ongoing cattle movement. The overall goal of this and a previous overview is to summarize the current status of knowledge and research on bovine anaplasmosis, and to provide veterinarians with answers to frequently asked questions.

Cover image of Volume 46, No. 2 of the Bovine Practitioner: a group of placid cows are standing in a row and eating hay from a trough. The cow in focus has hay all over its muzzle and even a scattering on hay on its poll. It's very cute.

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Published

2012-06-01

How to Cite

Kocan, K. M., Coetzee, J. F., Step, D. L., de la Fuente, J., Blouin, E. F., Reppert, E., Simpson, K. M., & Boileau, M. J. (2012). Current challenges in the diagnosis and control of bovine anaplasmosis. The Bovine Practitioner, 46(2), 67–77. https://doi.org/10.21423/bovine-vol46no2p67-77

Issue

Vol. 46, No. 2 (2012 Summer)

Section

Articles

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