Evidence of Tick-Borne Organisms in Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus) from the Western United States

Abstract

Free-ranging mule deer (MD; Odocoileus hemionus) from Arizona and California were tested for evidence of infection with several tick-borne pathogens, including species of Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Babesia, and Borrelia. Of 125 mule deer tested from Arizona, 29 (23%) and 11 (9%) had antibodies reactive to E. chaffeensis and A. phagocytophilum by indirect immunofluorescent antibody testing, respectively; none of the six MD tested from California were seropositive. Using a commercial competitive ELISA kit, antibodies reactive to Anaplasma spp. were detected in 19 (15%) MD from Arizona and four of six (67%) MD from California. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for tick-borne pathogens was conducted on blood samples from 29 MD from Arizona and 11 MD from California. Twenty-two of 29 (75.9%) MD from Arizona had PCR evidence of infection with at least one tick-borne pathogen. We detected an Anaplasma sp. in 19 of 29 (65.5%) MD and a Babesia sp. in 10 of 29 (34%) MD. Sequencing of these amplicons indicated that the Anaplasma sp. was the same that had previously been detected in MD from California and the Babesia sp. was similar to one previously detected in a reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) from California. All of the California MD had evidence of infection with a tick-borne pathogen. Two different species of Anaplasma spp. were detected in MD from California, eight of of 11 MD were infected with an Anaplasma sp., and three of 11 MD were infected with A. ovis. This is the first report of a mule deer naturally infected with A. ovis. Ten of 11 MD from California were infected with a Babesia-like organism previously associated with human disease, and a single MD was PCR positive for Borrelia coriaceae, which has been associated with epizootic bovine abortion. Together, these data suggest that MD in northern Arizona and eastern California are exposed to several pathogens of human and veterinary importance.

Segregation of genetic variants of Anaplasma phagocytophilum circulating among wild ruminants within a Bohemian forest (Czech Republic)

“…Recent studies confirmed that free-ranging cervids and bovids are regular hosts of A. phagocytophilum strains in nature. Serological and/or molecular evidence of natural infection was reported in several cervid species in North America and Japan (Belongia et al, 1997;Little et al, 1998;Foley et al, 1998;Yabsley et al, 2005;Michalski et al, 2006;Kawahara et al, 2006). In Europe, infections in forest artiodactyls apparently occur throughout the continent.…”

Transmission and Epidemiology of Zoonotic Protozoal Diseases of Companion Animals

“…are able to survive up to 35 days at 4°C in refrigerated blood and indefinitely under conditions of cryopreservation (163). Serologic studies of reservoir animals suggested seroprevalences of approximately 25% for B. microti in the white-footed mouse and approximately 35% in mule deer (98,164) and between 16 and 28% PCR positivity in peripheral blood of rabbits in areas of endemicity (110,153).…”

Molecular identification of Ehrlichia species and host bloodmeal source in Amblyomma americanum L. from two locations in Tennessee, United States

“…Ehrlichia determinations for a subset of 24 test-positive and -negative samples were validated by comparison with the results of a PCR using a 16S nested primer set described by Yabsley et al (2005). The Ehrlichia/Anaplasma genera primary forward and reverse primers were 16S rRNA ECB 5 -CGTATTACCGCGG-CTGCTGGCA-3 and 16S rRNA ECC 5 -AGAACGAACGCTGGC-GGCAAGCC-3 , respectively (Dawson et al, 1994).…”