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Anaplasma marginaleRANK: SpeciesTAXONOMY: Bacteria -> Proteobacteria -> Alphaproteobacteria -> Rickettsiales -> Anaplasmataceae -> Anaplasma -> Anaplasma marginale OVERVIEW: Anaplasma marginale is the most prevalent tick-borne, livestock pathogen worldwide and poses a considerable constraint to animal health. The disease results in significant morbidity and mortality of United State's (US) cattle population, which affects the exportation of beef. Despite a global impact on animal health, there is no widely accepted vaccine for 'Anaplasma marginale.' Live vaccinations are blood-based and are often used in tropical countries, but they cannot be licensed in the U.S. because of the risk of transmitting any known or unknown pathogens [1]. Thus, finding an effective vaccine for anaplasmosis is a priority for the USDA National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and many other research groups.'The genus Anaplasma which contains both animal and human pathogens. Being a Rickettsiales obligate intracellular bacterium, it requires a host in order survive. These organisms can be easily cultured from the red blood cells of cattle. While mammalian erythrocytes seem to be the only site of infection, the bacterium also undergoes a complex developmental cycle in ticks. When a tick feeds on a host cattle, the bacteria enter through the site of the bite, infecting the animal. The genomic information of the species would have a broad applicability to closely related organisms within the same order, since members of Rickettsiales are responsible for both animal and human diseases and deaths. |