Genetic diversity of Anaplasma marginale in bovines sampled in ITU, State of São Paulo

• Grant number: 18/05366-7
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Effective date (Start): September 01, 2018
• Effective date (End): March 31, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Animal Pathology
• Cooperation agreement: Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES)
• Principal researcher: Rosangela Zacarias Machado
• Grantee: Amanda Barbosa Garcia
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Jaboticabal. Jaboticabal , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Bacteria of the genus Anaplasma are alpha-proteobacteria belonging to the family Anaplasmataceae, order Rickettsiales These microorganisms are obligate intracellular erythrocytes. Transmission is mediated by ticks, hematophagous flies, transplacentally, or fomites with infected blood. This genus presents great economic and veterinary importance, given the diseases caused to the bovine herd, as is the case of bovine anaplasmosis, which has as agent the bacterium of the species Anaplasma marginale. Responsible for causing severe anemia, causing weight loss and milk production, bovine anaplasmosis has already been described in 98% of bovine cattle in the state of São Paulo. The present study aims to verify the genetic diversity of Anaplasma marginale in Angus cattle, in the outbreak phase of the disease, from a herd of a farm in the municipality of Itú, state of São Paulo, by means of molecular analysis of MSP1a. For this purpose, serum and blood samples shall be submitted to serological tests (Indirect Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay - [iELISA]) and molecular techniques (conventional PCR [cPCR] and quantitative real-time [qPCR]), followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. In the future, the data obtained will contribute to the development of new control methods for anaplasmosis, in order to reduce the economic impact of the disease in cattle herds, besides contributing to the understanding of the parasite-host relationship.