Concurrent Infections with Vector-Borne Pathogens Associated with Fatal Hemolytic Anemia in a Cattle Herd in Switzerland

Medientyp: E-Artikel
Titel: Concurrent Infections with Vector-Borne Pathogens Associated with Fatal Hemolytic Anemia in a Cattle Herd in Switzerland
Beteiligte: Hofmann-Lehmann, Regina; Meli, Marina L.; Dreher, Ute M.; Gönczi, Enikö; Deplazes, Peter; Braun, Ueli; Engels, Monika; Schüpbach, Jörg; Jörger, Kaspar; Thoma, Rudolf; Griot, Christian; Stärk, Katharina D. C.; Willi, Barbara; Schmidt, Joseph; Kocan, Katherine M.; Lutz, Hans
Erschienen: American Society for Microbiology, 2004
Erschienen in: Journal of Clinical Microbiology
Sprache: Englisch
DOI: 10.1128/jcm.42.8.3775-3780.2004
ISSN: 0095-1137; 1098-660X
Schlagwörter: Microbiology (medical)
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Beschreibung: <jats:title>ABSTRACT</jats:title><jats:p>Bovine anaplasmosis is a vector-borne disease that results in substantial economic losses in other parts of the world but so far not in northern Europe. In August 2002, a fatal disease outbreak was reported in a large dairy herd in the Swiss canton of Grisons. Diseased animals experienced fever, anorexia, agalactia, and depression. Anemia, ectoparasite infestation, and, occasionally, hemoglobinuria were observed. To determine the roles of vector-borne pathogens and to characterize the disease, blood samples were collected from all 286 animals: 50% of the cows were anemic. Upon microscopic examination of red blood cells,<jats:italic>Anaplasma marginale</jats:italic>inclusion bodies were found in 47% of the cows. The infection was confirmed serologically and by molecular methods. Interestingly, we also found evidence of infections with<jats:italic>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</jats:italic>, large<jats:italic>Babesia</jats:italic>and<jats:italic>Theileria</jats:italic>spp., and<jats:italic>Mycoplasma wenyonii</jats:italic>. The last two species had not previously been described in Switzerland. Anemia was significantly associated with the presence of the infectious agents detected, with the exception of<jats:italic>A. phagocytophilum</jats:italic>. Remarkably, concurrent infections with up to five infectious vector-borne agents were detected in 90% of the ill animals tested by PCR. We concluded that<jats:italic>A. marginale</jats:italic>was the major cause of the hemolytic anemia, while coinfections with other agents exacerbated the disease. This was the first severe disease outbreak associated with concurrent infections with vector-borne pathogens in alpine Switzerland; it was presumably curtailed by culling of the entire herd. It remains to be seen whether similar disease outbreaks will have to be anticipated in northern Europe in the future.</jats:p>
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