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Anaplasmosis Outbreak in Lambs: First Report Causing Carcass Condemnation
Delia Lacasta1, Luis Miguel Ferrer1, Santiago Sanz2
1Animal Pathology Department, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2 (Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA), Veterinary Faculty of Zaragoza, C/Miguel Servet 177, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain.
Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI
|October 15, 2020
Summary
Anaplasma ovis caused jaundice and anemia in lambs, leading to carcass condemnation and economic losses. Higher bacterial load correlated with severe anemia and icterus in affected lambs.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Parasitology
- Animal Health
Background:
- Outbreaks of jaundiced lamb carcasses occurred in Spain.
- Anaplasma ovis was detected in all affected farms.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the cause of jaundiced lamb carcasses.
- Determine the role of Anaplasma ovis in lamb condemnations.
Main Methods:
- Clinical examination, hematology, biochemistry, histopathology, and molecular analyses were performed on 492 lambs.
- Anaplasma ovis presence was confirmed using PCR.
- Bacterial load was quantified using qPCR.
Main Results:
- 34.84% of lambs had jaundiced carcasses and 79.64% showed splenomegaly.
- Anaplasma ovis PCR was positive in all jaundiced lambs and 72.72% of unaffected lambs.
- Significantly higher Anaplasma ovis bacterial load and severe regenerative anemia were observed in lambs with jaundiced carcasses.
Conclusions:
- Anaplasma ovis infection is associated with a new disorder causing jaundice, anemia, and carcass condemnation in lambs.
- This condition results in significant economic losses for the sheep industry.
