Distinct host species correlate with Anaplasma phagocytophilum ankA gene clusters.

ABSTRACT: Anaplasma phagocytophilum is a gram-negative, tick-transmitted, obligate intracellular bacterium that elicits acute febrile diseases in humans and domestic animals. In contrast to the United States, human granulocytic anaplasmosis seems to be a rare disease in Europe despite the initial recognition of A. phagocytophilum as the causative agent of tick-borne fever in European sheep and cattle. Considerable strain variation has been suggested to occur within this species, because isolates from humans and animals differed in their pathogenicity for heterologous hosts. In order to explain host preference and epidemiological diversity, molecular characterization of A. phagocytophilum strains has been undertaken. Most often the 16S rRNA gene was used, but it might be not informative enough to del

SUBMITTER: Scharf W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3067700 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature