Prevalence and Diagnostic Evaluation of Equine Anaplasmosis in Nineveh Governorate, Iraq

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Medicine and Surgery- College of Veterinary Medicine- University of Mosul-Iraq

2 College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Mosul

Abstract

The present study was aimed to determine the prevalence of equine anaplasmosis (EA) in equids in Nineveh governorate, using the blood smears examination (BSE) method and indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (i-ELISA), to assess the effectiveness of the two diagnostic techniques, and to investigate some of the risk factors linked with the seroprevalence of EA. From October 2023 to June 2024, a total of 180 blood samples were collected from equids (106 horses and 74 donkeys) of different sexes and ages in Nineveh governorate, Iraq. The epidemiological data were collected through samples collection. Blood smears were made for the detection of Morulae inside white blood cells and serum was used to detect antibodies against Anaplasma phagocytophilum using i-ELISA. Results showed that the overall prevalence of EA in equids in Nineveh governorate was 25.5% and 46.1% using BSE and i-ELISA, respectively. A moderate agreement was shown between BSE and i-ELISA according to the Kappa value (0.434), with 86.9%, 67.9%, and 72.7% sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of i-ELISA. Based on BSE, A. phagocytophilum parasitemia was significantly higher in neutrophils and lymphocytes. Moreover, based on i-ELISA, a significant of the risk factors were linked with higher prevalence of the disease, including: donkey type equids,  2years - more than 5 years animals, females, imported horses, pregnant females, infected equids, out of stables animals, presence of ticks on animals and in stables, left coast regions, and the spring and autumn seasons. In conclusion, this study indicates that equine anaplasmosis is widespread in Nineveh governorate, Iraq.

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Articles in Press, Corrected Proof
Available Online from 02 October 2024
  • Receive Date: 07 July 2024
  • Revise Date: 12 August 2024
  • Accept Date: 15 August 2024