Prevalence of Anaplasma Spp. and Theileria Spp. Antigens and Antibodies in Housed and Grazing Korean Indigenous Cattle

Background: Infection with tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) causes anemia, jaundice, and growth retardation in cattle. Many studies have conducted antigen (Ag) tests for major TBPs, such as Anaplasma spp. and Theileria spp., in Korean indigenous cattle (KIC); however, few studies have analyzed antibodies (Ab) against these pathogens. Materials and Methods: This study simultaneously tested 15 housed cattle raised indoor for over a year and 67 grazing cattle for Anaplasma spp. and Theileria spp. Ag using polymerase chain reaction analysis and Ab using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The A. phagocytophilum was detected in 3 housed cattle (20.0%) and 30 grazing cattle (44.8%), whereas the T. orientalis was detected in 3 housed cattle (20.0%) and 54 grazing cattle (80.6%). The positivity rates for Anaplasma spp. Ab did not differ significantly between housed and grazing cattle (4 out of 15 [93.3%] and 55 out of 67 [80.0%], respectively). The positivity rates for Theileria spp. Ab were higher in grazing cattle than in housed cattle (21 of 67 [31.3%] and 0 out of 15 [0.0%], respectively) (P < 0.01). No difference was observed between the frequency of grazing and the abundance of Ab against either pathogen. Meanwhile, as a result of comparing the detection of pathogen Ag and Ab, Anaplasma spp. showed the highest proportions of 73.3% and 47.8% in Ag (-)/Ab (+) for housed cattle and grazing cattle, respectively. Theileria spp. showed the highest rates of 80.0% in Ag (-)/Ab (-) for housed cattle and 52.2% in Ag (+)/Ab (-) for grazing cattle. Conclusions: This is the first study to determine the impact of antibody abundance against Anaplasma spp. and Theileria spp. on antigen prevalence in KIC.