The first study on the seroprevalence of spp. in small ruminants and assessment of associated risk factors in North Egypt.

Background And Aim: Ovine anaplasmosis is a rickettsial disease caused by spp. These Gram-negative intracellular bacteria are mainly transmitted by ticks and infected blood cells of caprine, ovine, and wild small ruminants. At present, epidemiological data on anaplasmosis in cattle, dogs, and camels in Egypt are available, but the data about spp. in sheep and goat are scarce. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of spp. in small ruminants and assess the associated risk factors.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed to investigate the seroprevalence of spp. in 300 sheep and 300 goats from four governorates in North Egypt using a commercial competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays kit, and the associated risk factors for the infection were evaluated.

Results: Overall, the seroprevalence of anti- antibodies was 18.3% and 21.3% in sheep and goats, respectively. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to determine the association between risk factors and spp. infection.

Conclusion: Age, animal husbandry, acaricide use, tick infestation, and contact with cattle were the primary risk factors for seropositivity. This study confirms the presence of antibodies against spp. in small ruminants from Egypt. This is the first study to assess the associated risk factors for infection in small ruminants from Egypt. Further studies are needed to improve the understanding of the associated disease factors, facilitating the development of new procedures for control of anaplasmosis in livestock.