Molecular Detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Wild Cervids and Hares in China.

Anaplasma phagocytophilum is an emerging tick-borne pathogen of global veterinary and public health significance. Wild ungulates are suggested to serve as reservoirs for this agent in both the US and Europe. We investigated the occurrence of A. phagocytophilum in sika deer ( Cervus nippon ), Reeves' muntjac ( Muntiacus reevesi ), tufted deer ( Elaphodus cephalophus ), and Chinese hare ( Lepus sinensis ) in China. We detected A. phagocytophilum in nine (53%) free-ranging wild Reeves' muntjac. No positive sample was found in wild tufted deer, hare, or domesticated sika deer. This finding indicate that Reeves' muntjac could serve as reservoirs of A. phagocytophilum in China that could then pose a potential risk for transmission of A. phagocytophilum to humans, and wild and domestic animals.