bovine anaplasmosis

Bovine anaplasmosis, caused by Anaplasma marginale, occurs in cattle in most tropical and subtropical countries. The most marked clinical signs of anaplasmosis are anaemia and jaundice, the latter occurring late in the disease. Haemoglobinaemia and haemoglobinuria are not present, and this may assist in the differential diagnosis of anaplasmosis from babesiosis, which is often endemic in the same regions. The disease can only be confirmed, however, by identification of the organism. Anaplasmosis, which is an infectious but non-contagious disease, is typically spread through tick bites, but also through the mechanical transfer of fresh erythrocytes from biting flies or surgical equipment such as needles, or dehorning, castration or tattooing equipment (Aubry and Geale, 2011). Anaplasma centrale, a less pathogenic but closely related organism, is used as a live vaccine for cattle in some countries (reviewed by Kocan et al., 2003).

This disease is on the list of diseases notifiable to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). The distribution section contains data from OIE's WAHID database on disease occurrence. For information on this disease from OIE, see the website: www.oie.int.

For further information, see the datasheet on anaplasmosis, which covers infection with Anaplasma spp. in cattle and other ruminants.