An assessment of the role of white-tailed deer in the epizootiology of anaplasmosis in the southeastern United States

Journal of Wildlife Diseases
M K KeelW R Davidson

Abstract

The role of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in the epizootiology of anaplasmosis in the southeastern United States was examined through retrospective and prospective serosurveys and by experimental infection studies. No serum antibody reactive to Anaplasma marginale was detected with an indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) assay from any of 1,376 free-ranging deer sampled from 1968 through 1990 from 13 states and Puerto Rico. Thirty-one additional deer from three bovine anaplasmosis enzootic premises also were negative by IFA and Giemsa-stained blood films. Three captive deer given A. marginale intravenously developed antibodies 38 to 41 days post-inoculation (DPI) and remained seropositive for the duration of the study (161 to 287 DPI). At 42 DPI, rickettsemias of approximately 0.0001% infected erythrocytes were observed in all three deer using a DNA probe; low rickettsemias (maximum 0.01%) persisted through 56, 63, and 87 DPI, respectively. One deer had a recrudescent infection from 126 to 146 DPI (maximum rickettsemia 0.001%). We believe that white-tailed deer in the southeastern United States, even though susceptible to A. marginale infection, are not exposed naturally, even at enzootic sites. Furthermore, white-t...Continue Reading

Citations

Jan 19, 2006·Vector Borne and Zoonotic Diseases·Michael J YabsleyShelli A Dubay
Jun 27, 2006·Vector Borne and Zoonotic Diseases·Vivien G DuganWilliam R Davidson
Nov 3, 2010·Transboundary and Emerging Diseases·P Aubry, D W Geale
Sep 6, 2003·Journal of Clinical Microbiology·Ulrike G MunderlohWilliam R Davidson
Jan 2, 2013·Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases·Cynthia M TateMichael J Yabsley
Oct 9, 2009·Veterinary Parasitology·Katherine M KocanS A Ewing
Jan 5, 2010·The Journal of Veterinary Medical Science·Makoto SatoRyô Harasawa

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