Detection of anaplasma phagocytophilum in goldcrest (Regulus regulus) tissues

Abstract

Birds specifity as reservoir and posibility to transmit tick-borne pathogens are still unclear. During the autumn migrations of 2016, 72 dead goldcrests were collected at Klaipėda district in Lithuania. Total 67 hearts and 72 livers samples from dead birds were screened for the presence of epidemiologically important pathogens such as Borrelia spp., Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Babesia spp. Multiplex real-time PCR analysis was performed using msp2 gene for Anaplasma spp, 23S rRNA gene for Borrelia spp and 18S rRNA genes for Babesia spp. Anaplasma spp. were detected in 41,7 % (30/72) of screened birds. Among infected birds, anaplasmosis was detected in 20,9 % (14/67) of hearts and in 25 % (18/72) of livers samples. PCR products which was positive for Anaplasma spp. were sequenced and analyzed using the Mega software. Sequence analysis for msp2 gene showed that goldcrest was infected by A. phagocytophilum. None of examined samples were infected by Borrelia spp. and Babesia spp. These studies shown that goldcrest might be important for the dispersal of A. phagocytophilum in Lithuania territory.