Serological survey on Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in a Hungarian stud farm

Abstract

The aim of this study was to get up-to-date information on the distribution of equine granulocytic anaplasmosis in Europe and compare these findings with the first recorded serological investigation of Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in a Hungarian stud farm using IFAT. The blood samples were collected from 66 healthy horses kept on pasture of a Hungarian National Park in the north-eastern part of Hungary throughout the entire year .The age of the animals ranged from 2 to 25 years and all of them were female Hucul breed horses. The MegaScreen® FLUOANAPLASMA ph in vitro diagnostikum test-kit from Megarcor Diagnostiks, Austria was used to perform the serological testing of the horse sera. From a total of 66 serum samples that were analyzed, 27 (40.9%) were found to be seropositive. As regards the age of the horses there was no correlation to the seropositivity observed. Based on the Hungarian horses found to be seropositive it can be stated that EGA caused by A. phagocytophilum is present in Hungary. Comparing these data with other European reports seropositivity of these Hungarian horses is relatively high. It can be predicted that the infection rate of I. ricinus ticks caused by this zoonotic agent could be also high in this area. Seroprevalence of A. phagocytophilum varies significantly throughout Europe, however it is necessary to standardise test methods to be able to compare the results objectively. Further nationwide studies are necessary to collect more data and evaluate the seroprevalence of A. phagocytophilum among Hungarian horses. Considering the aspect of zoonosis it is important to define potential risk areas and therefore prevent infections of the residents or visitors of endemic regions.