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1 June 2017 CLINICAL DISEASE ASSOCIATED WITH ANAPLASMA PHAGOCYTOPHILUM INFECTION IN CAPTIVE PRZEWALSKI'S HORSES (EQUUS FERUS PRZEWALSKII)
Richard R. Sim, Priscilla H. Joyner, Luis R. Padilla, Paul Anikis, Copper Aitken-Palmer
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

Anaplasma phagocytophilum is a tick-borne pathogen of domestic horses and the causative agent of equine granulocytic anaplasmosis. This case series describes three confirmed cases of clinical anaplasmosis, and a fourth case of presumptive anaplasmosis in Przewalski's horses (Equus ferus przewalskii) housed at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute from 2008 to 2014. Clinical signs varied among individuals with affected horses exhibiting lethargy, weakness, pyrexia, hypophagia, reluctance to move, or ataxia. Anaplasmosis cases were confirmed with a combination of identification of neutrophilic inclusions (morulae) on peripheral blood smear, positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing of whole blood, or convalescent titers. All animals recovered after antimicrobial therapy with oxytetracycline. Diagnosis should be made by a combination of clinical signs plus identification of morulae or positive A. phagocytophilum PCR. Treatment is curative using oxytetracyline intramuscularly or intravenously followed by daily therapy with oxytetracyline or minocycline for 14–30 days. The authors recommend that A. phagocytophilum infection be included on any differential list for Przewalski's horses presenting with fever or ataxia within or near an enzootic area.

Copyright 2017 by American Association of Zoo Veterinarians
Richard R. Sim, Priscilla H. Joyner, Luis R. Padilla, Paul Anikis, and Copper Aitken-Palmer "CLINICAL DISEASE ASSOCIATED WITH ANAPLASMA PHAGOCYTOPHILUM INFECTION IN CAPTIVE PRZEWALSKI'S HORSES (EQUUS FERUS PRZEWALSKII)," Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 48(2), 497-505, (1 June 2017). https://doi.org/10.1638/2016-0247R.1
Received: 2 March 2017; Published: 1 June 2017
KEYWORDS
Anaplasma phagocytophilum
anaplasmosis
Equus ferus przewalskii
PCR
Przewalski's horse
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