Related Experiment Videos
Serologic survey for Trichinella spp. in grizzly bears from Alaska
R L Zarnke1, R Gamble, R A Heckert
1Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Fairbanks 99701-1599, USA.
Journal of Wildlife Diseases
|July 1, 1997
Abstract:
Blood was collected from 878 grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) in seven geographic areas of Alaska from 1973 to 1987. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay procedure was used to test sera for evidence of exposure to Trichinella spp. Serum antibody prevalence ranged from 5% (10 positive of 196 tested) in the Southern Region of the state to 83% (355 of 430 tested) in the Northern Region. These major discrepancies may be a result of differing food habits of bears in the major geographic areas. Prevalence was higher in older age cohorts. Neither year-of-collection nor sex had a significant effect on prevalence.