Skip to main content
SLU publication database (SLUpub)

Research article2015Peer reviewed

Serologic and Molecular Prevalence of Rickettsia helvetica and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Wild Cervids and Domestic Mammals in the Central Parts of Sweden

Elfving K, Malmsten J, Dalin AM, Nilsson K

Abstract

Both Rickettsia helvetica and Anaplasma phagocytophilum are common in Ixodes ricinus ticks in Sweden. Knowledge is limited regarding different animal species' competence to act as reservoirs for these organism. For this reason, blood samples were collected from wild cervids (roe deer, moose) and domestic mammals (horse, cat, dog) in central Sweden, and sera were tested using immunofluorescence assay to detect antibodies against spotted fever rickettsiae using Rickettsia helvetica as antigen. Sera with a titer >= 1:64 were considered as positive, and 23.1% (104/450) of the animals scored positive. The prevalence of seropositivity was 21.5% (23/107) in roe deer, 23.3% (21/90) in moose, 36.5% (23/63) in horses, 22.1% (19/90) in cats, and 17.0% (17/100) in dogs. PCR analysis of 113 spleen samples from moose and sheep from the corresponding areas were all negative for rickettsial DNA. In roe deer, 85% (91/107) also tested seropositive for A. phagocytophilum with a titer cutoff of 1:128. The findings indicate that the surveyed animal species are commonly exposed to rickettsiae and roe deer also to A. phagocytophilum.

Keywords

Anaplasma; Dog; Horse; Cat; Host; Roe deer; Moose; Rickettsia; Serology

Published in

Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases
2015, Volume: 15, number: 9, pages: 529-534

      SLU Authors

      UKÄ Subject classification

      Other Veterinary Science

      Publication identifier

      DOI: https://doi.org/10.1089/vbz.2015.1768

      Permanent link to this page (URI)

      https://res.slu.se/id/publ/68770