Emergence of bovine ehrlichiosis in Belgian cattle herds

Bovine ehrlichiosis is a tick-borne rickettsial disease caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum. The disease can also be transmitted to humans. Outbreaks in cattle have been described in many European countries. In Belgium, infections caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum have been reported in humans and dogs; however this paper details the first report of ehrlichiosis in cattle herds in Belgium. The first case described was in a dairy herd located in east Belgium. Clinical signs included hyperthermia, polypnea and swelling of the limbs. The other case was diagnosed in a second, mixed purpose, herd in west Belgium. Within the second herd all of the affected animals came from the same pasture. All animals in that pasture showed recurrent hyperthermia and some also showed signs of mastitis and late-term abortions. Blood smears and serology revealed the presence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in the majority of animals with pyrexia. Furthermore, the presence of leptospirosis, Neospora caninum and Q fever antibodies was tested by serological analysis but all results were negative. Paired serology for Adenovirus, BHV-4, BHV-1, BVD, PI3 and RSV-B did not show any significant seroconversion. Milk samples from cows affected by mastitis revealed minor pathogens. Fecal testing for the presence of Dictyocaulus viviparus in the first herd was negative. Recurrent pyrexia in pastured cattle is a non-specific sign, and can be related to several different pathogens. Bovine ehrlichiosis is transmitted by the tick species Ixodes ricinus which is known to be present throughout Belgium. Belgian practitioners should include ehrlichiosis in their differential diagnosis when confronted with pastured cattle suffering from recurrent pyrexia.