Characterization of Anaplasma isolates from eland (Taurotragus oryx). Pathogenicity in cattle and sheep and DNA profiles analysis.

Two eland Anaplasma isolates, AnapE1, from Kenya, and AnapE2, from South Africa were characterised. Their characterization was based on their pathogenicity to intact and splenectomized cattle and sheep and also their DNA profiles. Their DNA profiles were analysed and compared to Anaplasma marginale, A. ovis and A. centrale after endonuclease restrictions and probing with Anaplasma DNA probes, AC5-12 and AC-1. The results of the pathogenicity trials showed AnapE1 to be similar to A. ovis and AnapE2 an isolate of A. marginale. On DNA profiles, AnapE1 was close to A. ovis, with differences that occur even in same Anaplasma species isolates from different locations. On the other hand, AnapE2, resembled one of the A. marginale isolates known to occur in South Africa. The DNA profiles correlated well with the pathogenicity results. It is concluded that elands are carriers of both A. marginale and A. ovis parasites and are therefore important reservoirs that need attention in epidemiology of anaplasmosis.