• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.9-13
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• 2006

Anaplasma phagocytophilum major surface protein-2 (Msp2 or p44) is the immunodominant outer membrane protein of the bacterium. Recently, we disclosed that Msp2 was an A. phagocytophilum adhesin for binding to host neutrophils and HL-60 cells, probably mediated by attachment to platelet selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1). In this study, we further elucidated that Msp2 bound to PSGL-1/FucT IV-transfected BJAB but not nontransfected BJAB cells. Binding of recombinant Msp2 or cell (lee bacteria to the surface of PSGL-1/FucT IV-transfected BJAB cells was significantly higher than to nontransfected BJAB cells (p<0.01 and p<0.01). Also, Msp2 monoclonal antibody and soluble recombinant Msp2 as antagonist led to concentration-dependent reductions in A. phagocytophilum adhesln (p<0.05 and p<0.01) to transfected BJAB cells. Thus, we conclude that Msp2 of. A. phagocytophilum acts as an adhesin by which the bacterium binds to PSGL-1 on host neutrophils and myeloid cells.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.559-565
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• 2018

The identification and characterization of pathogenic and zoonotic tick-borne diseases like granulocytic anaplasmosis are essential for developing effective control programs. The differential diagnosis of pathogenic Anaplasma phagocytophilum and non-pathogenic A. phagocytophilum-like Anaplasma spp. is important for implementing effective treatment from control programs. The objective of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of Anaplasma spp. in horses in Korea by nucleotide sequencing and restriction enzyme fragment length polymorphism assay. Of the 627 horses included in the study, only 1 (0.2%) was infected with A. phagocytophilum. Co-infection with A. phagocytophilumlike Anaplasma spp. was not detected in the study. The 16S rRNA sequence of A. phagocytophilum was similar (99.5-100%) to A. phagocytophilum 16S rRNA isolated from horses in other countries. PCR adapted to amplify A. phagocytophilum groEL and msp2 genes failed to generate amplicons, suggesting genetic diversity in these genes. This study is the first molecular detection of A. phagocytophilum in horses in Korea. Human granulocytic anaplasmosis and animal infection of A. phagocytophilum have been reported in Korea recently. Because of vector tick distribution, global warming, and the increase of the horse industry, horses should be considered as a potential reservoir for A. phagocytophilum, and cross infectivity should be evaluated even though a low prevalence of infection was detected in this study. Furthermore, continuous surveillance and effective control measures for A. phagocytophilum should be established to prevent disease distribution and possible transmission to humans.