Molecular investigation of Anaplasma and Ehrlichia natural infections in the dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) in Iran

Molecular investigation of Anaplasmataceae species in the dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) is still lacking in Iran. In this study, the presence of Anaplasma and Ehrlichia species was investigated in a total of 100 camels in southern Iran. A total number of six camels (6.0 %) were infected by Candidatus Anaplasma camelii genetically related to Anaplasma platys. However, Ehrlichia spp. were not detected in any of the examined dromedary camels. Genetic analysis of the 16S rDNA gene of Iranian strain showed 100 % identity to Anaplasma strains previously reported from Tunisian and Saudi Arabian dromedary camels (accession nos. KM401907 and KF843825, respectively). Furthermore, phylogenetic studies based on the 16S rDNA gene provided more evidence for the circulation of a host-adapted Anaplasma species closely related to A. platys in dromedary camels. In this study, Hyalomma dromedarii were recovered from positive camels in studied regions. These findings highlight the role of this tick species as a potential vector for camel Anaplasmosis. This study describes the first molecular prevalence of Candidatus A. camelii in Iranian dromedary camels.