Molecular detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum DNA in Olive Baboons and Vervet monkeys in Kenya

Abstract BackgroundNonhuman primates (NHPs) occupy an important place in zoonotic spill-overs, serving as either reservoirs or amplifiers of multiple neglected tropical diseases including tick-borne infections. Anaplasmosis is caused by obligate intracellular bacteria of the family Anaplasmatacae. They are transmitted by Ixodid tick species and have a wide host range including wild animals, domestic animals and humans. The aim of this study was to establish the presence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Olive baboons and Vervet monkeys in Laikipia County, Kenya.ResultsA total of 164 whole blood samples, collected by USAID Predict II project from Laikipia County, 17 Kenya, were included in the study. These comprised of 146 samples from Olive baboons (Papio anubis) and 18 from Vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) respectively from Mpala Research Center and Ol jogi Conservancy in Laikipia County. Using conventional Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), positive results for A. phagocytophilum in 26 Olive baboons and 4 Vervet monkeys were detected with primer sets EHR16SD/R. However, low sensitivity was observed with the p44 gene. The amplification of DNA template with the primer set p44 (p3709 5/ p4257 23 5) using nested PCR could not be obtained. Our results revealed the presence of A. phagocytophilum in Olive baboons and Vervet monkeys. This study found an overall prevalence of 18.3% for Anaplasma phagocytophilum. A distinct genotype of A. phagocytophilum was detected that was different from the others in the gene bank database.ConclusionThis study provides valuable information on the presence of A. phagocytophilum bacteria in Olive baboons and Vervet monkeys in Kenya. It indicates a need for future research to establish the public health implications of zoonotic A. phagocytophilum isolates and the role of nonhuman primates as reservoirs.