Seroprevalence and Molecular Detection of Anaplasma marginale-infected Beef Herds in Georgia, USA

AABP Executive Director Dr. Fred Gingrich is joined by past AABP Board of Directors member from District 3, Dr. Lee Jones. Jones is an associate professor at the University of Georgia in the Beef Production Medicine department. Jones was the first author on the paper titled “Seroprevalence and molecular detection of Anaplasma marginale-infected beef herds in Georgia, USA”, which was published in The Bovine Practitioner Volume 56 Number 2 (2022). We review the transmission, clinical signs, and diagnostic tests for bovine anaplasmosis. The objective of the study was to conduct and compare seroprevalence and molecular detection of Anaplasma marginale-infected beef herds in Georgia and to identify herd risk factors associated with A. marginale-positive herds. Blood samples were collected from 1,059 adult beef cattle (≥ 2 years) from 33 herds. Overall, 8.12% of cattle and 42% of herds were cELISA antibody-positive. Seventy-seven percent of plasma samples from a subset of corresponding seropositive samples (n = 73) were PCR-positive. Jones reviews the risk factors associated with bovine anaplasmosis and how veterinarians can become involved in prevention and control programs for their clients. Education is important because 27% of the survey respondents were not aware of the disease even with a high percentage of herds positive. We also discuss the importance of ensuring appropriate delivery of VFD medication for control of anaplasmosis as part of a control program.

 Relevant publication:

Jones, A. L., Berghaus, R. D., Kalatari, A. A., Credille, B., Naikare, H. K., Heins, B., Saliki, J., & Wilkes, R. P. (2022). Seroprevalence and molecular detection of Anaplasma marginale infected beef herds in Georgia, USA. The Bovine Practitioner, 56(2), 70–78. https://doi.org/10.21423/bovine-vol56no2p70-78