Protecting cattle from bovine anaplasmosis
Like spiders, scorpions, and mites, ticks are members of the arachnid family. Unlike their eight-legged relatives, ticks possess a specialized barbed mouthpart called a hypostome, which anchors them securely into a host’s skin and allows them to feed on blood for several days without falling off.
During a blood meal, infected ticks can transmit Anaplasma marginale, the bacterium that causes bovine anaplasmosis. Pastured cattle are often at greater risk of infection because they spend time in fields and brush where ticks wait to latch on.
From the first warm days of spring and even until temperatures start to cool in the fall, ticks remain a constant threat to cattle, making prevention and early detection critical.
When infection is suspected, the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, TVMDL, offers testing that can identify the causative bacterium, helping veterinarians develop an appropriate treatment plan.
A. marginale invades red blood cells. As anemia develops, infected cattle may become weak, lethargic, develop a fever, lose their appetite, and show signs of jaundice. In severe cases, abortions and sudden death can occur.
“From a diagnostic standpoint, anaplasmosis is important because the clinical signs can mimic other diseases like babesiosis or other hemolytic anemias,” said Susanna Storms, DVM, PhD, serology section head at TVMDL. “Our lab plays a critical role in differentiating anaplasmosis from these other conditions.”
TVMDL offers several testing options, each serving a different purpose depending on the stage of disease and the herd’s management goals.
Blood smear evaluation can quickly identify the organism during acute infection. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing detects A. marginale DNA and is especially useful for identifying chronically infected carrier animals. TVMDL also offers referral complement fixation (CF) antibody testing for A. marginale through the USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL).
Storms emphasizes that selecting the right test begins with understanding why the animal is being tested.
“Are you looking for an active infection in symptomatic animals, screening for carrier animals in a herd, or testing new additions before they enter the herd?” Storms said. “The testing strategy may change depending on the purpose of testing, and we want to make sure the test being requested provides the answers our clients need.”
For producers facing unexplained anemia, weight loss, and other signs of bovine anaplasmosis, prompt veterinary involvement and diagnostic testing can make a critical difference. By combining good management and diagnostics, veterinarians and producers can identify infections early, reduce transmission, and protect herd health.
The Diseases and Diagnoses podcast by TVMDL features an episode on anaplasmosis, covering the characteristics of the disease and the appropriate diagnostic test for different situations. Listen to the full episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
For other resources or guidance regarding anaplasmosis testing, visit tvmdl.tamu.edu or call the College Station laboratory at 888.646.5623 or the Canyon laboratory at 888.646.5624.
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