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Tiffin HS, Skvarla MJ, Machtinger ET. Tick abundance and life-stage segregation on the American black bear ( Ursus americanus). Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2021; 16:208-216. [PMID: 34703760 PMCID: PMC8523825 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2021.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Tick abundance and diagnosed cases of tick-borne diseases have been increasing in the United States. American black bear (Ursus americanus) populations have also been increasing in the eastern United States. As a competent host of several species of ticks and a mammal capable of traveling long distances, the role of black bears as hosts for ticks requires further evaluation. Ectoparasite surveys were conducted on black bears in Pennsylvania to evaluate tick presence, abundance, spatial distribution, and association with Sarcoptes scabiei, the etiological agent of sarcoptic mange, on bears to better understand their role in tick ecology and to improve on-host surveillance techniques. Tick burden was evaluated using standard area sampling (10.16 × 10.16 cm squares) on pre-designated body regions on black bears from June 2018–December 2019. In total, 278 unique individual black bears were evaluated, with all ticks identified as Ixodes scapularis (n = 1976; 76.7% adults, 23.3% immatures). Tick presence differed by body region on bears, with the highest percentage of tick observations located on bear ears and muzzle. Ticks also partitioned on black bears by life-stage, with immature ticks primarily recorded on the lower extremities of bears and adult ticks primarily recorded on the front-quarters of bears. This includes the first known record of I. scapularis larvae parasitizing black bears, and observations of all three mobile life-stages concurrently parasitizing bears. Tick abundance was also statistically significant dependent on season, with the highest abundance of ticks recorded in spring and lowest abundance in fall. Adult ticks were less likely to be present on bears with mange. These data reveal the important role black bears may serve in tick ecology and dispersal as all three mobile life-stages of I. scapularis were found parasitizing a mammal capable of traveling far distances in a region with high numbers of Lyme disease cases. First record of Ixodes scapularis larvae parasitizing black bears. All three I. scapularis mobile life-stages concurrently parasitizing black bears. I. scapularis life-stage segregation on black bears. Standardized tick survey findings can be used to improve on-host surveillance. Bears with sarcoptic mange less likely to have adult ticks present.
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PREVALENCE OF BABESIA SPP., EHRLICHIA SPP., AND TICK INFESTATIONS IN OKLAHOMA BLACK BEARS (URSUS AMERICANUS). J Wildl Dis 2017; 53:781-787. [PMID: 28657860 DOI: 10.7589/2017-02-029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
American black bears (Ursus americanus) are commonly infested with ticks throughout their range, but there are few surveys for tick-borne disease agents in bears. To characterize tick infestations and determine the prevalence of current infection with Babesia spp. and past or current infection with Ehrlichia spp. in newly re-established populations of black bears in east central and southeastern Oklahoma, US, we identified adult (n=1,048) and immature (n=107) ticks recovered from bears (n=62). We evaluated serum and whole blood samples from a subset (n=49) for antibodies reactive to, and characteristic DNA fragments of, Ehrlichia spp., as well as characteristic DNA fragments of Babesia spp. Amblyomma americanum, the most common tick identified, was found on a majority (56/62; 90%) of bears and accounted for 697/1,048 (66.5%) of all ticks recovered. Other ticks included Dermacentor variabilis (338/1,048; 32.3%) from 36 bears, Amblyomma maculatum (9/1,048; 0.9%) from three bears, and Ixodes scapularis (4/1,048; 0.4%) from three bears. Antibodies reactive to Ehrlichia spp. were detected in every bear tested (49/49; 100%); maximum inverse titers to Ehrlichia chaffeensis ranged from 64-4,096 (geometric mean titer 1,525). However, PCR failed to identify active infection with E. chaffeensis, Ehrlichia ewingii, or an Ehrlichia ruminantium-like agent. Infection with Babesia spp. was detected by PCR in 3/49 (6%) bears. Together these data confirm that tick infestations and infection with tick-borne disease agents are common in bears in the southern US. The significance of these infestations and infections to the health of bears, if any, and the identity of the Ehrlichia spp. responsible for the antibody reactivity seen, warrant further evaluation.
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Prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in North Carolina Eastern Black Bears ( Ursus americanus ). J Wildl Dis 2016; 52:968-970. [PMID: 27479929 DOI: 10.7589/2016-02-036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
We detected Anaplasma phagocytophilum by DNA amplification in whole blood from free-ranging, hunter-killed American black bears ( Ursus americanus ) from the east coast of North Carolina, US. Molecular prevalence for Anaplasma phagocytophilum was 3% from 68 black bears. No DNA of other Anaplasma or Ehrlichia spp. was identified.
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Zolnik CP, Makkay AM, Falco RC, Daniels TJ. American Black Bears as Hosts of Blacklegged Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) in the Northeastern United States. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2015; 52:1103-1110. [PMID: 26336232 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjv092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2015] [Accepted: 06/15/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Ticks and whole blood were collected from American black bears (Ursus americanus Pallas) between October 2011 and October 2012 across four counties in northwestern New Jersey, an area where blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis Say) and their associated tick-borne pathogens are prevalent. Adult American dog ticks (Dermacentor variabilis Say) were the most frequently collected tick species in late spring, whereas adult and nymphal blacklegged ticks were found in both the late spring and fall months. Additionally, for blacklegged ticks, we determined the quality of bloodmeals that females acquired from black bears compared with bloodmeals from white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus Zimmerman), the most important host for the adult stage of this tick species. Measures of fecundity after feeding on each host species were not significantly different, suggesting that the bloodmeal a female blacklegged tick acquires from a black bear is of similar quality to that obtained from a white-tailed deer. These results establish the American black bear as both a host and quality bloodmeal source to I. scapularis. Thus, black bears may help support blacklegged tick populations in areas where they are both present. In addition, samples of black bear blood were tested for DNA presence of three tick-borne pathogens. Anaplasma phagocytophilum Foggie and Babesia microti Franca were found in 9.2 and 32.3% of blood samples, respectively. All blood samples were quantitative polymerase chain reaction-negative for Borrelia burgdorferi Johnson, Schmid, Hyde, Steigerwalt, & Brenner. Although circulating pathogens were found in blood, the status of black bears as reservoirs for these pathogens remains unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine P Zolnik
- Department of Biological Sciences, Fordham University, 441 East Fordham Rd., Bronx, NY, 10458. Vector Ecology Laboratory, Louis Calder Center-Biological Field Station, Fordham University, PO Box 887, Armonk, NY 10504
| | - Amanda M Makkay
- Department of Biological Sciences, Fordham University, 441 East Fordham Rd., Bronx, NY, 10458
| | - Richard C Falco
- New York State Department of Health, Louis Calder Center, 53 Whippoorwill Rd., Armonk, NY, 10504
| | - Thomas J Daniels
- Vector Ecology Laboratory, Louis Calder Center-Biological Field Station, Fordham University, PO Box 887, Armonk, NY 10504.
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Paillard L, Jones KL, Evans AL, Berret J, Jacquet M, Lienhard R, Bouzelboudjen M, Arnemo JM, Swenson JE, Voordouw MJ. Serological signature of tick-borne pathogens in Scandinavian brown bears over two decades. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:398. [PMID: 26215889 PMCID: PMC4517347 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-0967-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2015] [Accepted: 06/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anthropogenic disturbances are changing the geographic distribution of ticks and tick-borne diseases. Over the last few decades, the tick Ixodes ricinus has expanded its range and abundance considerably in northern Europe. Concurrently, the incidence of tick-borne diseases, such as Lyme borreliosis and tick-borne encephalitis, has increased in the human populations of the Scandinavian countries. METHODS Wildlife populations can serve as sentinels for changes in the distribution of tick-borne diseases. We used serum samples from a long-term study on the Scandinavian brown bear, Ursus arctos, and standard immunological methods to test whether exposure to Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, the causative agent of Lyme borreliosis, and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) had increased over time. Bears had been sampled over a period of 18 years (1995-2012) from a southern area, where Ixodes ricinus ticks are present, and a northern area where ticks are uncommon or absent. RESULTS Bears had high levels of IgG antibodies against B. burgdorferi sensu lato but not TBEV. Bears at the southern area had higher values of anti-Borrelia IgG antibodies than bears at the northern area. Over the duration of the study, the value of anti-Borrelia IgG antibodies increased in the southern area but not the northern area. Anti-Borrelia IgG antibodies increased with the age of the bear but declined in the oldest age classes. CONCLUSIONS Our study is consistent with the view that ticks and tick-borne pathogens are expanding their abundance and prevalence in Scandinavia. Long-term serological monitoring of large mammals can provide insight into how anthropogenic disturbances are changing the distribution of ticks and tick-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lye Paillard
- Laboratory of Ecology and Evolution of Parasites, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Rue Emile-Argand 11, 2000, Neuchâtel, Switzerland.
| | - Krista L Jones
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Hedmark University College, Campus Evenstad, NO-2418, Elverum, Norway.
| | - Alina L Evans
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Hedmark University College, Campus Evenstad, NO-2418, Elverum, Norway.
| | - Jérémy Berret
- Laboratory of Ecology and Evolution of Parasites, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Rue Emile-Argand 11, 2000, Neuchâtel, Switzerland.
| | - Maxime Jacquet
- Laboratory of Ecology and Evolution of Parasites, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Rue Emile-Argand 11, 2000, Neuchâtel, Switzerland.
| | - Reto Lienhard
- ADMED Microbiologie, Boucle de Cydalise 16, 2300, la Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland.
| | - Mahmoud Bouzelboudjen
- Informatics and Telematics Service, University of Neuchâtel, Rue Emile-Argand 11, 2000, Neuchâtel, Switzerland.
| | - Jon M Arnemo
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Hedmark University College, Campus Evenstad, NO-2418, Elverum, Norway.
- Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, Faculty of Forest Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-901 83, Umeå, Sweden.
| | - Jon E Swenson
- Department of Ecology and Natural Resources Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Postbox 5003, NO-1432, Ås, Norway.
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, NO-7485, Trondheim, Norway.
| | - Maarten J Voordouw
- Laboratory of Ecology and Evolution of Parasites, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Rue Emile-Argand 11, 2000, Neuchâtel, Switzerland.
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SEROSURVEY FOR SELECTED PATHOGENS IN FREE-RANGING AMERICAN BLACK BEARS (URSUS AMERICANUS) IN MARYLAND, USA. J Wildl Dis 2014; 50:829-36. [DOI: 10.7589/2013-07-155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Víchová B, Majláthová V, Nováková M, Straka M, Pet'ko B. First Molecular Detection ofAnaplasma phagocytophilumin European Brown Bear (Ursus arctos). Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2010; 10:543-5. [DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2009.0103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Bronislava Víchová
- Parasitological Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Košice, Slovakia
| | - Viktória Majláthová
- Parasitological Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Košice, Slovakia
| | - Mária Nováková
- Parasitological Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Košice, Slovakia
| | - Martin Straka
- Department of Phytology, Faculty of Forestry, Technical University in Zvolen, Zvolen, Slovakia
| | - Branislav Pet'ko
- Parasitological Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Košice, Slovakia
- Faculty of Health Care, Catholic University in Ružomberok, Ružomberok, Slovakia
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Dugan VG, Gaydos JK, Stallknecht DE, Little SE, Beall AD, Mead DG, Hurd CC, Davidson WR. Detection ofEhrlichiaspp. in Raccoons (Procyon lotor) from Georgia. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2005; 5:162-71. [PMID: 16011433 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2005.5.162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Raccoons (Procyonis lotor) and opossums (Didelphis virginianus) acquired from six contiguous counties in the Piedmont physiographic region of Georgia were investigated for their potential role in the epidemiology of ehrlichial and anaplasmal species. Serum was tested by indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) assay for the presence of antibodies reactive to Ehrlichia chaffeensis, E. canis, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum (HGA agent). Nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was used to test whole blood or white blood cell preparations for the presence of Ehrlichia and Anaplasma spp. 16S rRNA (rDNA) gene fragments. In addition, ticks were collected from these animals and identified. Twenty-three of 60 raccoons (38.3%) had E. chaffeensis-reactive antibodies (>1:64), 13 of 60 raccoons (21.7%) had E. canis-reactive antibodies, and one of 60 raccoons (1.7%) had A. phagocytophilum- reactive antibodies. A sequence confirmed E. canis product was obtained from one of 60 raccoons and a novel Ehrlichia-like 16S rDNA sequence was detected in 32 of 60 raccoons. This novel sequence was most closely related to an Ehrlichia-like organism identified from Ixodes ticks and rodents in Asia and Europe. Raccoons were PCR negative for E. chaffeensis and E. ewingii DNA. Five tick species, including Dermacentor variabilis, Amblyomma americanum, Ixodes texanus, I. cookei, and I. scapularis, were identified from raccoons and represent potential vectors for the ehrlichiae detected. Opossums (n = 17) were free of ticks and negative on all IFA and PCR assays. This study suggests that raccoons are potentially involved in the epidemiology of multiple ehrlichial organisms with known or potential public health and veterinary implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivien G Dugan
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study and Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602-4393, USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer H McQuiston
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, Viral and Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch, 1600 Clifton Rd, Mailstop G-13, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
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Nicholson WL, Kuhar DJ, Humphreys JG, Childs JE. Serologic evidence for a novel Ehrlichia species in woodchucks (Marmota monax) from Pennsylvania, USA. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2003; 990:90-3. [PMID: 12860605 DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2003.tb07342.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- William L Nicholson
- Viral and Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA.
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