Both Coinfection and Superinfection Drive Complex Anaplasma marginale Strain Structure in a Natural Transmission
Roberta Koku1, David R Herndon2, Johannetsy Avillan3
1Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State Universitygrid.30064.31, Pullman, Washington, USA.
Infection and Immunity
|August 2, 2021
Summary
Complex infections by Anaplasma marginale in cattle predominantly develop through coinfection, where multiple pathogen strains infect simultaneously. This finding is crucial for understanding disease dynamics and control in high-transmission environments.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Microbiology
- Epidemiology
- Immunology
Background:
- Vector-borne pathogens frequently cause multistrain infections, known as complex infections.
- The establishment of complex infections (coinfection or superinfection) impacts pathogen diversity, epidemiology, and control.
- Anaplasma marginale, a tick-borne bacterium, commonly establishes complex infections in cattle, especially in high-transmission areas.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the natural development of Anaplasma marginale complex infections in cattle under high transmission pressure.
- To differentiate between coinfection and superinfection dynamics in a real-world setting.
- To understand how adaptive immunity influences strain acquisition.
Main Methods:
- Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) was used to track Anaplasma marginale strain acquisition in cattle.
- Naive cattle were introduced into a herd in southern Ghana with high infection prevalence and transmission.
- Strain acquisition was monitored over time, correlating with seroconversion events.
Main Results:
- High genetic diversity of Anaplasma marginale strains was observed.
- Nearly all herd animals (97%) harbored multiple strains.
- Coinfection was the predominant mode of complex infection development, with more strains acquired before seroconversion than after.
Conclusions:
- Complex infections of Anaplasma marginale in cattle develop through both coinfection and superinfection.
- Coinfection is the primary mechanism driving complex infections in high-transmission settings.
- Findings inform the development of targeted control strategies for cattle tick-borne diseases.
Keywords:
Anaplasma marginalebovine anaplasmosismultistrain infectionssuperinfectiontick-borne diseaseMore Related Videos
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