Detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in European brown hares (Lepus europaeus) using three different methods

0554280 - BC 2022 RIV GB eng J - Journal Article
Lesiczka, P. - Modrý, David - Sprong, H. - Fonville, M. - Pikula, J. - Piaček, V. - Heger, T. - Hrazdilová, K.
Detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in European brown hares (Lepus europaeus) using three different methods.
Zoonoses and Public Health. Roč. 68, č. 8 (2021), s. 917-925. ISSN 1863-1959. E-ISSN 1863-2378
R&D Projects: GA MZe(CZ) QK1920258
Institutional support: RVO:60077344
Keywords : pcr * animals * Anaplasma phagocytophilum * digital droplet PCR * European brown hare * Lepus europaeus * qPCR * zoonosis
OECD category: Zoology
Impact factor: 2.954, year: 2021
Method of publishing: Limited access
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/zph.12883

European brown hare (Lepus europaeus Pallas 1778) is a broadly distributed lagomorph species in Europe, recognized as a host for Ixodes ricinus and reservoir of a wide range of pathogens with zoonotic potential. Even though Lepus europaeus represents an important game animal in Central Europe, the data available on Anaplasma phagocytophilum in this lagomorph are scarce. In this study, three populations of brown hare from distinct localities in the Czech Republic were analysed for the presence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum DNA. We used standard qPCR, targeting the msp2 gene and adapted the same assay also for digital droplet PCR. Out of 91 samples, these two methods identified 9 and 12 as positive, respectively. For taxonomic analysis, we amplified the groEL gene from five of six samples that were found positive by both methods. In phylogenetic analyses, this haplotype belongs to ecotype 1, and to the subclade with isolates from cervids and I. ricinus. Our findings underline the importance of correct result interpretation and positivity cut-off set-up for different detection methods of A. phagocytophilum. This bacterium is characterized by a high intraspecific variability and highly sensitive detection itself, is not enough. Detailed molecular typing is necessary to define the zoonotic potential of different strains and their natural reservoirs.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0328913