Molecular of Anaplasma marginale Theiler (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae) in horseflies (Diptera: Tabanidae) in Uruguay

Abstract

AbstractAnaplasma marginaleis transmitted biologically by infected ticks or mechanically by biting flies and contaminated fomites. In tick-free areas, such as southern Uruguay, horseflies could be the principal vectors of this pathogen for bovines, causing anaplasmosis. The objective of this work was to detect the presence ofA. marginaleby MSP-5 PCR and Sanger sequencing in the most prevalent species of horseflies obtained using different collection methods in Colonia, Tacuarembó and Paysandú, Uruguay. Eight horsefly species were tested (Dasybasis missionum,Poeciloderas lindneri, Tabanus campestris,T. claripennis, T. fuscofasciatus, T. platensis,T. tacuaremboensisandT. triangulum); four species were found to be positive forA. marginale, withD. missionumandP. lindnerihaving the most frequent infections, while only one individual each ofT. fuscofasciatusandT. tacuaremboensiswas positive. BothD. missionumandP. lindneriwere positive forA. marginalein tick-free areas, and the implications are discussed in this report.