<i>Ehrlichia</i> Species in Dromedary Camels (<i>Camelus dromedarius</i>) and Ruminants from Somalia

<i>Ehrlichia</i> Species in Dromedary Camels (<i>Camelus dromedarius</i>) and Ruminants from Somalia

Ehrlichioses, caused by <i>Ehrlichia</i> species, are tick-borne diseases (TBDs) that affect animals and humans worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the molecular occurrence of <i>Ehrlichia</i> spp. in 530 animals (155 Dromedary camels, 199 goats, 131 cattle, and 45 she...

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Main Authors: Aamir M. Osman, Ahmed A. Hassan-Kadle, Marcos R. André, Flávia C. M. Collere, Amir Salvador Alabí Córdova, Fabiano Montiani-Ferreira, Thállitha S. W. J. Vieira, Abdalla M. Ibrahim, Abdulkarim A. Yusuf, Rosangela Z. Machado, Rafael F. C. Vieira
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Pathogens
Subjects:
tick-borne diseases
ehrlichiosis
<i>Ehrlichia minasensis</i>
<i>Ehrlichia ruminantium</i>
heartwater
Somalia
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/14/1/65
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Summary:Ehrlichioses, caused by <i>Ehrlichia</i> species, are tick-borne diseases (TBDs) that affect animals and humans worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the molecular occurrence of <i>Ehrlichia</i> spp. in 530 animals (155 Dromedary camels, 199 goats, 131 cattle, and 45 sheep) in the Benadir and Lower Shabelle regions of Somalia. Blood DNA samples were tested for PCR targeting <i>dsb</i> and <i>sodB</i> genes of <i>Ehrlichia</i> spp. and <i>PCS20</i> and <i>map1</i> genes of <i>E. ruminantium</i>. The obtained sequences were submitted for phylogenetic analyses. <i>Ehrlichia</i> spp. were detected in 26.4% (140/530) of animals by <i>dsb</i>-PCR, with the highest prevalence in dromedary camels (54.8%), followed by cattle (29.8%), goats (7.0%), and sheep (4.4%). Dromedary camels, cattle, and goats had significantly higher infection odds compared to sheep (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Among <i>dsb</i>-PCR-positive samples, 76.9% (30/39) of cattle tested <i>sodB</i>-positive, while other species were negative. <i>E. ruminantium</i> was detected in 13.7% (18/131) of cattle by <i>pCS20</i>-PCR, but none were positive for the <i>map1</i> gene. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed <i>E. minasensis</i> in camels, sheep, and goats and <i>E. ruminantium</i> in cattle, marking the first molecular evidence of <i>E. minasensis</i> in dromedary camels, sheep, and goats globally, and <i>E. ruminantium</i> in cattle from Somalia. These findings emphasize the need for further research on its economic and public health impact.
ISSN:2076-0817

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