Detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Babesia aktasi in a wild bezoar goat (Capra aegagrus): Overlap with domestic goat strains.

ABSTRACT: This study reports the first detection of Babesia aktasi and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in a bezoar goat (Capra aegagrus), providing insight into the presence of these pathogens in wild caprinae. The infected goat exhibited a localised ocular infection but showed no clinical signs of acute piroplasmid or Anaplasma infections. Microscopic examination of blood smears revealed low parasitemia of intra- and extraerythrocytic piroplasms and intragranulocytic morulae, consistent with chronic infection. PCR and sequence analysis confirmed that the Babesia species detected was B. aktasi, a recently described piroplasmid previously reported in domestic goats. Phylogenetic analysis placed the B. aktasi haplotype within the Babesia sensu stricto clade, closely related to sequences from domestic goats

SUBMITTER: Zerek A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12865739 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature