Molecular Detection of Anaplasma Phagocytophilum as a Zoonotic Agent in Owned and Stray Dogs in Tehran, Iran

The genus Anaplasma is an obligated intracellular Rickettsia and among its species, Anaplasma phagocytophilum (A. phagocytophilum) is a zoonotic agent that infects host neutrophils. The aim of this study was molecular detection of A. phagocytophilum infection based on MSP4 gene in owned and stray dogs in Tehran, capital of Iran. One hundred and fifty blood samples were collected from dogs in Tehran and suburbs of Tehran, Iran. Firstly, the thin blood smears were prepared and Giemsa staining method was conducted. Then, the samples were examined under oil immersion objective and 0.67% of them were observed infected with A. phagocytophilum. The DNA was extracted from blood samples using a DNA isolation kit (MBST, Iran), and MSP4 gene extraction was performed by Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and nested-PCR. Finally, 2% of the samples were positive for A. phagocytophilum. The data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 19.0) and Chi-square test was performed. There was no significant relation between infection and age, as well as sex and ectoparasitic infestation (P>0.05). This article was a report of A. phagocytophilum infection in dogs and their potentials as host carriers of this important microorganism in Tehran, Iran.