Molecular screening of Anaplasmataceae in ticks collected from cattle in Corsica, France

International audienceBacteria belonging to the family Anaplasmataceae cause infections in humans and domestic animals. The consequences of infection can be significant economic losses for farmers. To better understand the epidemiology of tick-borne Anaplasmataceae in Corsica, we used molecular methods to detect and characterize Anaplasmataceae in ixodid ticks collected from cattle. Anaplasmataceae were detected by using a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the 23S rRNA gene. Partial sequencing ofrpoBand groELallowed identifying species and conducting phylogenetic analyses. Infection rates were calculated using maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). In total, 597Rhipicephalus bursa, 216Hyalomma marginatum, and sevenIxodes ricinuswere collected from cattle during July-August 2017 and July-December 2018. Overall, Anaplasmataceae DNA was detected in 15 of 255 tick pools (MLE = 1.7%; 95% CI 0.9-2.7%). The molecular analysis revealed two species within the genusAnaplasma:A. marginaleandA. phagocytophilum. We also detected bacteria within the genusEhrlichia: we confirmed the detection ofE. minasensisDNA inH. marginatumandR. bursatick pools collected from cattle in Corsica and detected, for the first time to our knowledge,CandidatusE. urmitei in CorsicanR. bursaticks and a potential new species,CandidatusE. corsicanum. Further studies are needed to ascertain the pathogenesis and zoonotic potential of the strains and their importance for animals and public health