Plasmodium caprae infection is negatively correlated with infection of Theileria ovis and Anaplasma ovis in goats

Abstract

AbstractTheileria, Babesia, and Anaplasma are tick-borne pathogens affecting livestock industries worldwide. In this study, we surveyed the presence of Babesia ovis, Theileria ovis, Theileria lestoquardi, Anaplasma ovis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Anaplasma marginale in 200 goats from 3 different districts in Sistan and Baluchestan province, Iran. Species-specific diagnostic PCR and sequence analysis revealed that 1.5%, 12.5%, and 80% of samples were positive for T. lestoquardi, T. ovis, and A. ovis, respectively. Co-infections of goats with up to 3 pathogens were seen in 22% of the samples. We observed a positive correlation between A. ovis and T. ovis infection. In addition, by analyzing the data with respect to Plasmodium caprae infection in these goats, a negative correlation was found between P. caprae and A. ovis and between P. caprae and T. ovis. This study contributes to understanding the epidemiology of vector-borne pathogens and their interplay in goats.ImportanceTick-borne pathogens include economically important pathogens restricting livestock farming worldwide. In endemic areas livestock are exposed to different tick species carrying various pathogens which could result in co-infection with several tick-borne pathogens in a single host. The co-infection and interaction among pathogens are important in determining the outcome of disease. Little is known about pathogen interactions in the vector and the host. In this study, we show for the first time that co-infection of P. caprae, a mosquito transmitted pathogen, with T. ovis and A. ovis. Analysis of goat blood samples revealed a positive correlation between A. ovis and T. ovis. Moreover, a negative correlation was seen between P. caprae, a mosquito transmitted pathogen, and the tick-borne pathogens T. ovis or A. ovis.