Serological and molecular detection of Anaplasma marginale in water buffaloes on Marajo Island, State of Para, Brazil

The aim of the study was to test the molecular and serological prevalence of Anaplasma marginale in water buffaloes of the Marajo Island, State of Para, Brazil. For serologic research were randomly selected 800 buffaloes and for molecular research 50 of these animals were randomly chosen. To quantify the serological prevalence we used the indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA) with total antigen containing proteins outer surface. To quantify the prevalence molecular was used the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) involving gene amplification fragment larger surface protein 5 (MSP5). The prevalence of positive animals in iELISA was 25% (200/800). In the PCR we detected the presence of A. marginale in 2% (1/50) of animals. Although only one animal was positive in PCR, we found that it was negative in ELISA. The presence of the agent, even in low prevalence, shows that buffaloes can act as an important reservoir for transmission of the pathogen to cattle in northern Brazil.