Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene of Anaplasma species detected from Japanese serows (Capricornis crispus).

Nineteen blood samples collected from free-living Japanese serows, Capricornis crispus, between 2006 and 2008 in Iwate prefecture were examined for the anaplasma infection by PCR amplification of a part of the 16S rRNA gene. Ten (52.6%) out of the 19 samples produced a visible band in electrophoresed agarose gels. Positive PCR products were subjected to DNA sequencing. We found the nucleotide sequences were identical. Almost entire length of the 16S rRNA gene for a representative stain was then sequenced. We found the nucleotide sequence of the 16S rRNA gene distinct from previously established Anaplasma species in phylogenetic analysis. Our data first indicated that anaplasma infection occurred continuously among the free-living Japanese serow populations in northern Japan.