Ehrlichia chaffeensis Anderson, Dawson & Wilson, causative agent of human (predominantly monocytic) ehrlichiosis, was successfully transmitted experimentally by Amblyomma americanum (L.) to white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus (Zimmerman). Deer were needle-exposed intravenously to E. chaffeensis in tissue-culture canine macrophage (DH82) cells, and 11 d later were exposed to laboratory-reared A. americanum larvae, nymphs, and adults for acquisition feeding. Three months after this feeding, naive deer and dogs were exposed to recently molted nymphs and adults. Attempted reisolation of the pathogen by way of tissue culture was successful from one needle-exposed deer but not from the tick-exposed deer or dogs. Based on serologic evidence and polymerase chain reaction data, both nymphal and adult ticks transmitted E. chaffeensis to naive deer but not to dogs.
Eighteen cats surviving natural infection with Cytauxzoon felis were identified. All cats came from a limited geographic area in northwestern Arkansas and northeastern Oklahoma. Clinical signs in most cats were similar to those described for cytauxzoonosis; however, 4 cats were asymptomatic. All cases were initially diagnosed by microscopic identification of signet ring-shaped piroplasms in erythrocytes of peripheral blood smears. Four of 4 cats tested had detectable serum antibodies to C felis. Four different cats were positive by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Partial sequencing of the PCR product from 1 cat revealed >99% homology with the reported sequence of C felis. Repeated examination of blood smears from 12 cats revealed that the erythroparasitemia was generally persistent for the duration of follow-up (3-154 days). Survival did not seem dependent on treatment, as only 1 cat was treated with a drug with potential antiprotozoal activity (imidocarb dipropionate), and 4 cats received no treatment. The findings of this study may indicate the existence of a less virulent strain of C felis.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.