Reservoir Competence of the Redwood Chipmunk (Tamias Ochrogenys) forAnaplasma Phagocytophilum

Abstract

Granulocytic anaplasmosis (GA) is an emerging tick-transmitted disease that persists in rodent-Ixodes ricinuscomplex tick cycles across the Holarctic. Although the putative reservoir for anaplasmosis in the western United States is the dusky-footed woodrat (Neotoma fuscipes), this rodent was not shown reservoir-competent because of failure of infection from woodrats to other animals via ticks. Redwood chipmunks are common in habitats where Anaplasma phagocytophilum is common, have high PCR-and seroprevalence, and are infested with a diversity of Ixodes spp. ticks. Experimental infection of seven wild-caught A. phagocytophilum-negative redwood chipmunks induced persistent periods of recurrent rickettsemia during the persistent phase of infection. Of three animals for which xenodiagnosis was attempted, all successfully infected pools of I. pacificus larvae during the primary rickettsemia. We show that chipmunks are reservoir-competent for GA and may be important for maintaining infection in nature.

Assessment of a quantitative 5′ nuclease real-time polymerase chain reaction using groEL gene for Ehrlichia and Anaplasma species in rodents in Brazil

“…phagocytophilum MRK strain, Nieto and Foley (2009) reported that squirrels belonging to the species Tamias ochrogenys could act as potential reservoirs for An. phagocytophilum.…”

Mechanisms of Obligatory Intracellular Infection with Anaplasma phagocytophilum

“…Since there is no evidence of transovarial (from adult ticks to eggs) transmission, larvae do not transmit the bacterium to mammals, but infected nymphs and adult ticks do. The mammalian reservoir for A. phagocytophilum infection within the United States includes white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus), raccoons (Procyon lotor), gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis), gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), and redwood chipmunks (69,127,165,216). A variety of other wild animals are also implicated as reservoirs (68; reviewed recently in references 208 and 218).…”

Molecular detection of Anaplasmataceae agents in Dasyprocta azarae in northeastern Brazil

“…In the United States, certain rodent species like Tamias ochrogenys exhibit demographic characteristics, such as high population density and ability to remain infected for long periods of time, that contribute towards transmission of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, the etiological agent of human granulocytic anaplasmosis (NIETO & FOLEY, 2009). Moreover, dispersal of this rodent species may facilitate the spread of infected ticks to other vertebrate hosts (NIETO & FOLEY, 2009).…”

“…Moreover, dispersal of this rodent species may facilitate the spread of infected ticks to other vertebrate hosts (NIETO & FOLEY, 2009). The rodent species Neotoma fuscipes has been shown to be an important source of infection for the DU-1, HZ, MRK and Dog_CA strains of A. phagocytophilum.…”