Abstract

Background:
Anaplasma spp. and Candidatus Rickettsia jingxinensis have significant tick-borne zoonotic potential and cause diseases in both humans and domestic animals. Nevertheless, epidemiological data regarding their prevalence in cattle and goats within Dejiang County, China, are still limited. Understanding the local infections of these pathogens in domestic animals is crucial for assessing their potential spillover risk and informing public health interventions.

Aim:
This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Anaplasma and Candidatus R. jingxinensis in cattle and goats from Dejiang County, China, and assess the current in-fection rates and potential public health risks associated with these pathogens.

Methods:
A total of 170 domestic animal samples were collected. Following DNA ex-traction, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to amplify pathogen-specific gene fragments of Anaplasma spp. and Candidatus R. jingxinensis, confirming their presence and constructing phylogenetic trees of the detected genotypes.

Results:
In this study, 35 out of 119 cattle were infected with Anaplasma, of which three species, including A. capra, A. bovis, and A. marginale, were identified with in-fection rates of 9.24% (95% CI：5.24-15.80%），17.65%(95% CI: 11.84-25.48%), and 26.89% (95% CI: 19.74-35.49%), respectively. A total of 48 goats (82.35%, 69.75-90.43%) were infected by Anaplasma, of which two species, A. capra and A. bovis, were identified with infection rates of 62.75% (95% CI: 49.03-74.68%）and 66.67% (95% CI: 52.97%-78.03%), respectively. No goats were infected with A. mar-ginale. Furthermore, 4 (3.36%, 1.31%-8.32%) cattle were infected with Candidatus Rickettsia jingxinensis. This is the first time that molecular evidence of this organism has been detected in cattle. Notably, double and triple infections with these agents were found in cattle, and coinfections were detected in goats.

Conclusion:
Anaplasmosis is highly prevalent in local ruminants, particularly in goats. The pathogen species distribution differs between hosts, with A. marginale showing host specificity for cattle. The detection of Ca. R. jingxinensis in cattle suggests an ex-pansion of its host range. These findings highlight the need for enhanced surveillance and control measures for these pathogens, especially considering the potential spillover risks and public health threat.

Key words: Dejiang; Tick-borne zoonotic pathogens; PCR; Cattle; Goat.