Anaplasma capra and Haemaphysalis concinna: Investigating a potential vector relationship in a wildlife reserve

Recently, Anaplasma capra, a new member of the Anaplasmataceae, has been described in Asia and Europe. This pathogen infects a range of hosts, including small ruminants, cervids, and humans, and has been detected across several tick genera. In this study, we aimed to identify potential transmission vectors of A. capra by screening questing ticks from a wild fauna reserve where it had previously been detected in its red deer (Cervus elaphus) and swamp deer (Rucervus duvaucelii) populations. DNA of Anaplasma capra was sought in the dissected salivary glands of 198 adult questing Haemaphysalis concinna and 74 adult questing Haemaphysalis inermis ticks, which were collected from vegetation by visual inspection. Anaplasma capra was detected in the salivary glands of a single female H. concinna, suggesting potential vector competence for this pathogen. Sequences of the gltA and 16S rRNA genes from this sample were identical to those previously obtained from deer blood samples within the reserve. We also confirmed the circulation of A. capra in additional red deer within the reserve.