EXOone Anaplasma marginale

Description

Anaplasma marginale is an obligate intraerythrocytic bacteria of the order Rickettsiales and the major cause of bovine anaplasmosis, a disease whose characteristic signs are anemia and jaundice. The severity of clinical signs varies considerably, depending on the species and age of the infected animal. In adult animals infection is usually most severe. Cattle surviving infection remain carriers for life.

Microscopic examination of stained blood smears and serological tests have been used to identify A. marginale, but some drawbacks have been found with the use of these traditional techniques. Recently, molecular techniques such as real time PCR have considerably increased the sensitivity and specificity for the detection of this pathogen.