Coatis Carry a Common Anaplasma Strain in Brazil’s Forest

In the Iguaçu National Park, researchers collected blood from 73 coatis across three locations. They used PCR tests to look for DNA from several tick‑borne bacteria and parasites: Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Borrelia, and piroplasms. Almost half of the animals—about 48%—showed Anaplasma DNA, while none carried the other pathogens. The detected genes matched known Anaplasma species that also infect cattle and are found in ticks.

Sequencing revealed that all infected coatis carried the same genetic variant, suggesting a single circulating strain. Phylogenetic trees showed this clade is distinct from other Anaplasma lineages, indicating a unique host‑associated population. Comparisons with tick samples showed differences in the DNA, implying that the bacteria may have separate strains for hosts and vectors. These results highlight coatis as potential reservoirs of Anaplasma in the Atlantic Forest, offering new insight into wildlife disease dynamics.

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