Molecular survey and genetic characterization of <italic>Anaplasma centrale</italic>,<italic> A. marginale</italic> and <italic>A. bovis</italic> in cattle from Algeria.

Summary: Bovine anaplasmosis could be caused by several <italic>Anaplasma</italic> species. The causative agents are transmitted by ticks and haematophagous arthropods with a high impact on both human and animal health. This study was conducted to estimate the infection rate and to characterize <italic>Anaplasma</italic> spp. in cattle from Algeria. A molecular survey was performed in Setif district (Northeast Algeria) where a total number of 180 cattle blood samples were collected and tested for the presence of <italic>Anaplasma</italic> spp. by PCR. Positive samples were genetically characterized based on the <italic>16S rRNA</italic> and <italic>msp4</italic> genes. PCRs revealed that the infection rates of <italic>Anaplasma</italic> spp., <italic>Anaplasma centrale</italic>,<italic> Anaplasma marginale</italic> and <italic>Anaplasma bovis</italic> were 42.2%; 39.4%; 11.1% and 4.4%, respectively. All tested animals were negative for <italic>A. phagocytophilum</italic>. Co‐infection occurred in 10% (18/180) of the tested animals, and the most common co‐infection pattern was an association between <italic>A. centrale</italic> and <italic>A. marginale</italic> (5.5%). Five cattle (2.7%) were co‐infected by the three <italic>Anaplasma</italic> species. Holstein animals (58.1%) were more infected by <italic>A. centrale</italic> than the other breeds (<italic>p</italic> = .01). The molecular prevalence of <italic>A. centrale</italic> was significantly higher in males (54.2%) than in females (34.1%) (<italic>p</italic> = .001). <italic>A. marginale msp4</italic> genetic analysis indicated a high sequence diversity of Algerian strains, suggesting the importation of live cattle from different origins. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene of <italic>A. bovis</italic> and <italic>A. centrale</italic> revealed a low degree of genetic diversity. Our study suggests that different species of <italic>Anaplasma</italic> are simultaneously present in the Algerian cattle. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first molecular study and genetic characterization of <italic>Anaplasma</italic> spp. in Algerian cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]