Occurrence of anaplasmosis among sheep (Ovis aries) and goats (Capra hircus) in Madina and Tabuk, Saudi Arabia

Anaplasma spp. is a group of intra-erythrocytic bacteria that various species of ticks can transmit. Information regarding the prevalence of infections in sheep and goats caused by this group of organisms is scarce in Saudi Arabia. The present study was carried out during 2020–2021 to examine the prevalence of anaplasmosis among sheep and goats in two cities in western Saudi Arabia. The study included samples from 177 sheep (77 from Madina, 100 from Tabuk) and 226 goats (123 from Madina, 103 from Tabuk). The samples were investigated using direct microscopy method as well as a competitive Enzyme-Linked Immuno-Assay (cELISA) for the detection of anti-Anaplasma spp. antibodies. A total of 93 (23.1%) of the samples were positive on direct microscopy, whereas 84 (20.7%) were positive on cELISA. Of those samples positive on direct microscopy, 44 (19.5%) were from goats while 49 (27.7%) were from sheep. Of the positive samples on cELISA; 38 (17.0%) were from goats, and 46 (26.0%) were from sheep. A significant difference in the prevalence of anaplasmosis was reported (p < 0.05) using microscopic and cELISA in goats and sheep in both regions studied, having a higher prevalence in Tabuk. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of anaplasmosis in males and females from Madina and Tabuk using both methods (p > 0.05). However, there was a significant difference in the prevalence of anaplasmosis in older goats (>2 years) and in the summer compared to the winter in samples collected from Tabuk (p < 0.05). Seroprevalence of anaplasmosis was detected for the first time In the Tabuk region from sheep and goats. The difference in the prevalence in the two locations studied was probably due to the variation in climatic conditions and the availability of the vector responsible for the transmission of anaplasmosis.