Serological Prevalence and Isolation of Babesia Odocoilei Among White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus Virginianus) in Texas and Oklahoma

Waldrup, Kenneth A.; Kocan, A. Alan; Qureshi, Tariq; Davis, Donald S.; Baggett, David W.; Wagner, G. G.

doi:10.7589/0090-3558-25.2.194

Cited by 29 publications

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“…8,9 The deer parasites, however, sparsely infect the peripheral blood and often require several days of culture to become detectable. 6 Our failure to routinely infect hamsters with salivary gland suspensions from ticks with Feulgen-detectable sporozoites (unpublished data) suggested the possibility that another species might confound our observations.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 71%

“…11 Babesia odocoilei, in contrast, is maintained in deer, the main host of adult deer ticks. 6 Transovarial transmission of Ba. odocoilei has not been demonstrated experimentally, although it occurs in the closely related species Ba.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…odocoilei) that is distributed widely throughout the southern United States. 5,6 The closely related black-legged tick (I. scapularis) transmits Ba. odocoilei in Oklahoma, Texas, and Florida.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Diversity of Babesia infecting deer ticks (Ixodes dammini).

Armstrong¹,

Katavolos²,

Caporale³

et al. 1998

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

109

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Abstract. To determine whether the presence of nonpathogenic piroplasms may confound field estimates of risk of Babesia microti infection, we identified sporozoites infecting the salivary glands of deer ticks (Ixodes dammini) by parallel microscopy and polymerase chain reaction assays. Piroplasms were evident in 14.4% of adult ticks from sites in the northcentral and northeastern United States. Of these, 83.3% contained DNA characteristic of Ba. odocoilei. This cervid piroplasm was detected in all of the sites examined and generally was more prevalent than was Ba. microti. Because deer ticks transmit both Ba. odocoilei and Ba. microti, estimates of pathogen prevalence based solely on microscopy may overestimate the risk of human babesiosis.The agents of human babesiosis (Babesia microti) and Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi) co-occur in particular sites in the northeastern and northcentral regions of the United States, where they perpetuate in a cycle involving deer tick (Ixodes dammini) vectors and white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus) reservoir hosts. 1 Where both kinds of pathogens infect these hosts, human babesiosis is less frequently diagnosed than is Lyme disease. On Nantucket Island, for example, the annual incidence of symptomatic human babesiosis averages about one-tenth that of Lyme disease. 2 Moreover, sera of local residents react to antigens of Ba. microti about one-third as often as to those of B. burgdorferi. Although they are acquired similarly, human babesial infection occurs less frequently than does borrelial infection.In spite of this apparent difference in the relative frequency of symptomatic infection, the agent of human babesiosis seems to infect vector ticks in nature about as often as does the agent of Lyme disease. 3, 4 These estimates, however, assume that any sporozoites seen microscopically in the salivary glands of deer ticks would be Ba. microti. Yet, Ixodes ticks transmit a diverse array of piroplasms, including a parasite of white-tailed deer (Ba. odocoilei) that is distributed widely throughout the southern United States. 5,6 The closely related black-legged tick (I. scapularis) transmits Ba. odocoilei in Oklahoma, Texas, and Florida. 7 We do not know, however, whether diverse Babesia parasites infect deer ticks in the northeastern and upper midwestern United States.It may be that where Ba. microti is zoonotic, other piroplasms may also infect the salivary glands of deer ticks. To evaluate this suggestion, we identified the sporozoites infecting the salivary glands of deer ticks in the northeastern and northcentral United States. In particular, we examined a salivary gland microscopically from each of a series of ticks, screened the other by amplifying its DNA with genus-specific primers and identified the amplification products by restriction enzyme analysis and sequencing. METHODSDeer ticks were sampled from intensely infested sites in the northeastern (Maine and Massachusetts) and the upper midwestern (Wisconsin) United States. Host-seeking ticks were collected by drag...

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 71%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Diversity of Babesia infecting deer ticks (Ixodes dammini).

Armstrong¹,

Katavolos²,

Caporale³

et al. 1998

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

109

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“…Stage-to-stage transmission (nymph to adult) of B. odocoilei by Ixodes scapularis has been demonstrated (Waldrup et al, 1990). Serological prevalence in white-tailed deer was found to be 34% in Texas and 73% in Oklahoma, while deer less than 12 months old had significantly lower prevalence than other age classes (Waldrup et al, 1989). In Texas, seroconversion occurred during October-December, possibly continuing to January and February, strengthening the case for I. scapularis being a major vector (Waldrup et al, 1992).…”

Section: Effect Of Babesia Infections In Wild Animalsmentioning

confidence: 97%

Babesiosis of wild carnivores and ungulates

Penzhorn¹

2006

Veterinary Parasitology

113

108

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Although large and small piroplasms have been reported from various wild carnivore and ungulate species, relatively few have been named. In the past, mere presence of a piroplasm in a specific host frequently prompted naming of a new species. Descriptions were often inadequate or lacking altogether. Currently, demarcation of species relies heavily on molecular characterisation. Even serological evidence is deemed insufficient. Experimental transmission of Babesia spp. from domestic to wild animals is usually only successful in closely related species, or after splenectomy. There are indications that endemic stability, similar to the situation in livestock, is the general pattern in Babesia sp. infections in wildlife. All lions in Kruger National Park were found to be infected with B. leo, which did not lead to clinical disease manifestation in artificially infected lions. Under stressful conditions, infections could flare up and be fatal, as purportedly happened to the famous lioness "Elsa". Similarly black rhinos, which can harbour Babesia bicornis without ill effects, may develop clinical babesiosis during confinement after capture. Zoo-bred animals, which were not exposed to Babesia spp. at a young age, may be fully susceptible when released into a natural environment where other members of their species occur. This could have major implications for ex situ conservation programmes aimed at bolstering natural wildlife populations. Article Outline

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“…Experimental transstadial transmission of B. odocoilei in white-tailed deer by Ixodes scapularis ticks has been demonstrated; however, transovarial transmission and competent vector ticks have not been shown (Waldrup et al, 1990). Dermacentor albipictus ticks were found on elk (C. e. canadensis) infected with B. odocoilei (Holman et al, 1994(Holman et al, , 2000.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

New Ruminant Hosts and Wider Geographic Range Identified for Babesia Odocoilei (Emerson and Wright 1970)

Schoelkopf

Hutchinson

Bendele

et al. 2005

Journal of Wildlife Diseases

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Babesia odocoilei was found to infect two previously unknown host species, desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni) and musk oxen (Ovibos moschatus), both of which are members of the family Bovidae. Previously, B. odocoilei has been reported in only Cervidae hosts. New geographic regions where B. odocoilei infections have not been reported previously include Pennsylvania and New York, where fatal babesiosis has occurred in reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus); New Hampshire, where elk (Cervus elaphus canadensis) have been affected; and California, home of the infected desert bighorn sheep. Infection with B. odocoilei in these hosts was confirmed by parasite small subunit ribosomal RNA gene sequence analysis. A serosurvey for B. odocoilei antibody activity in New Hampshire showed prevalence rates of 100% at two elk farms and 12% at another farm. Control of potential vector ticks, Ixodes scapularis, especially when translocating livestock, is imperative to prevent outbreaks of babesiosis in managed herds of potential host species.

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Serological Prevalence and Isolation of Babesia Odocoilei Among White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus Virginianus) in Texas and Oklahoma

Cited by 29 publications

References 0 publications

Diversity of Babesia infecting deer ticks (Ixodes dammini).

Diversity of Babesia infecting deer ticks (Ixodes dammini).

Babesiosis of wild carnivores and ungulates

New Ruminant Hosts and Wider Geographic Range Identified for Babesia Odocoilei (Emerson and Wright 1970)

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