Tick-borne fever caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Germany

M. Nieder; C. Silaghi; D. Hamel; K. Pfister; R. Schmäschke; M. Pfeffer

doi:10.1055/s-0038-1623103

Tierärztliche Praxis Ausgabe G: Großtiere / Nutztiere, Table of Contents

Tierarztl Prax Ausg G Grosstiere Nutztiere 2012; 40(02): 101-106
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1623103

Case Report

Schattauer GmbH

Tick-borne fever caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Germany

First laboratory confirmed case in a dairy cattle herdInfektion durch Anaplasma phagocytophilum (Weidefieber) in einer deutschen Milchviehherdeerster labordiagnostisch bestätigter Fall

Authors

M. Nieder

¹Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, Germany
C. Silaghi

²Institute of Comparative Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Germany
D. Hamel

²Institute of Comparative Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Germany
K. Pfister

²Institute of Comparative Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Germany
R. Schmäschke

³Institute of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, Germany
M. Pfeffer

¹Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, Germany

Abstract

Summary

Four cows from North-West Germany have been diagnosed with tickborne fever (TBF) based on the demonstration of morulae in neutrophilic granulocytes in their blood smears, positive signals in real-time PCR specific for Anaplasma phagocytophilum using DNA extracted from their buffy coats, and demonstration of specific antibodies in their sera using a commercially available immunofluorescence assay. Clinical findings included high fever, decreased milk production, lower limb edema with stiff walking, eye and nasal discharge, and depression. These signs developed about a week after the animals had been brought to the pasture for the first time in their life. All cows recovered after 5–15 days, although DNA of A. phagocytophilum could be detected by real-time PCR up to 6 weeks after onset of the disease. Considering the known prevalences of A. phagocytophilum in ticks in Germany and its detection in dogs and horses, we think that underdiagnosing of TBE in cattle is highly likely. Therefore TBF should be taken into account as differential diagnosis in case of high fever and/or a sudden decrease in milk production in pastured animals.

Zusammenfassung

Bei vier erkrankten Milchkühen im Nordwesten Deutschlands wurde die Diagnose Weidefieber durch Darstellung von Morulae in neutrophilen Granulozyten im Blutausstrich, positive Signale in einer für Anaplasma-phagocytophilum-spezifischen Echtzeit-PCR und den Nachweis spezifischer Antikörper im Serum mithilfe eines kommerziellen Immunfluoreszenztests gestellt. Zu den klinischen Symptomen gehörten hohes Fieber, Rückgang der Milchleistung, geschwollene Gliedmaßen mit steifem Gang, Augen- und Nasenausfluss und allgemeine Depression. Die Symptome zeigten sich etwa eine Woche nachdem die Tiere das erste Mal in ihrem Leben auf der Weide waren. Bei allen Tieren kam es nach 5–15 Tagen zur vollständigen Genesung, obwohl DNA von A. phagocytophilum noch bis zu 6 Wochen nach Beginn der Erkrankung mittels Echtzeit-PCR im Blut nachweisbar war. Legt man die bekannten Prävalenzdaten zu A. phagocytophilum in Zecken in Deutschland und die diagnostizierten Fälle bei Hunden und Pferden zugrunde, erscheint ein Unterdiagnostizieren des Weidefiebers bei Kühen in Deutschland wahrscheinlich. Bei plötzlichem Fieber und/oder Rückgang der Milchleistung sollte daher differenzialdiagnostisch auch Weidefieber berücksichtigt werden.

Key words

Ixodes ricinus - tick-borne disease - pasture - real-time PCR - morula - antibodies

Schlüsselwörter

Ixodes ricinus - zeckenübertragene Erkrankung - Echtzeit-PCR - Morula - Antikörper

Full Text

References

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