Molecular Detection of Anaplasma ovis and Anaplasma capra in Sheep Flocks from Gevaş District, Van Province, Türkiye

Tick-borne diseases, particularly anaplasmosis, have a significant impact on livestock production.This study aimed to investigate the incidence and prevalence of Anaplasma ovis and Anaplasma capra in sheepherds in the Gevaş district of Van Province, Türkiye. PCR analysis was performed on blood samples from 200clinically healthy sheep using msp4 and gltA gene-targeted PCR primers. A total of 149 (74.5%) samples testedpositive for A. ovis, whereas none were positive for A. capra. No significant associations were observed betweenA. ovisinfection and host factors such as sex and age (P > 0.05). However, its prevalence was higher in the İnköyregion (P < 0.05). Sanger sequencing confirmed partial msp4 gene sequences, which were submitted toGenBank (accession numbers PV231424-PV231428). The A. ovis isolates showed low genetic diversitycompared to the strains from other countries. This study highlights the high prevalence of A. ovis in the region,in contrast to the absence of A. capra. Therefore, further research is needed to focus on the epidemiology andimpact of A. capra.