Prevalence and distribution of Setaria yehi in southeastern white-tailed deer

Filarial worms, Setaria yehi, were found in 286 of 1,045 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) from 13 of 16 southeastern states. Infections were widespread in the piedmont and coastal plain physiographic provinces, but rarely occurred in deer of the mountains or in southern Florida. Infections were significantly more prevalent among fawn and yearling deer. Infections with S yehi largely accounted for a mild fibrinous peritonitis commonly observed among southeastern deer.