Characterization of Anaplasma spp. infection in dogs from Costa Rica

A cross-sectional study combining serological and molecular techniques for detecting selected Anaplasma species was conducted between 2011 and 2012 in dogs and ticks sampled in all provinces of Costa Rica. Global Anaplasma spp. seroprevalence was 2.7% (11/408) by indirect immunofluorescence assay. The 16S rRNA PCR confirmed active A. phagocytophilum infection only in one dog (0.3%, 1/374); however, the same sample was negative to groEL PCR. Out of 122 Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. ticks analyzed, one (0.8%) was found positive to A. phagocytophilum 16S rRNA PCR but negative when tested by groEL PCR; this tick was collected from a seronegative and PCR negative dog. Both 16S rRNA sequences were 100% (510/510bp) identical to A. phagocytophilum strains isolated in different countries from different hosts.