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Published on: August 31, 2013
Persistent Ehrlichia chaffeensis infection in white-tailed deer
W R Davidson1, J M Lockhart, D E Stallknecht
1Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Georgia, Athens 30602, USA.
Journal of Wildlife Diseases
|August 16, 2001
Summary
White-tailed deer experimentally infected with Ehrlichia chaffeensis develop persistent infections. These deer exhibit prolonged rickettsemia and potential recrudescence, highlighting their role in Ehrlichia chaffeensis epidemiology.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Infectious Diseases
- Zoonotic Disease Epidemiology
- Microbiology and Immunology
Background:
- Ehrlichia chaffeensis is an important tick-borne pathogen affecting both animals and humans.
- White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are known reservoirs for various pathogens, but their role in E. chaffeensis persistence requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the duration and persistence of Ehrlichia chaffeensis infection in white-tailed deer following experimental inoculation.
- To characterize the clinical, serological, and microbiological course of E. chaffeensis infection in deer.
Main Methods:
- Intravenous inoculation of four white-tailed deer with a deer-origin E. chaffeensis isolate.
- Monitoring infection via indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) assays, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and bacterial culture over a 9-month period.
- Assessment for clinical signs, hematologic abnormalities, and gross/microscopic lesions.
Main Results:
- All inoculated deer became rickettsemic within 24 days post-inoculation and developed high antibody titers.
- Persistent rickettsemia was confirmed for up to 108 days, with recrudescence observed in one deer.
- Infection was detected via PCR in bone marrow and lymph nodes late in the study (278 DPI); no clinical signs or lesions were observed.
Conclusions:
- White-tailed deer can become persistently infected with Ehrlichia chaffeensis, experiencing prolonged rickettsemia and potential recrudescence.
- Deer serve as a significant reservoir, underscoring their critical role in the epidemiology and transmission of E. chaffeensis.
