Theses and Dissertations
Issuing Body
Mississippi State University
Advisor
Varela-Stokes, Andrea S.
Committee Member
Panuska, Carla
Committee Member
Pinchuk, Lesya
Date of Degree
12-11-2009
Document Type
Graduate Thesis - Open Access
Major
Veterinary Medical Science
Degree Name
Master of Science (M.S.)
College
College of Veterinary Medicine
Department
Veterinary Medical Science Program
Abstract
Two studies were conducted to evaluate the presence of tick-borne bacterial agents in Amblyomma americanum, lone star tick (LST), and various wildlife in Mississippi. Adult LSTs had DNA evidence of Ehrlichia chaffeensis (3.7%), E. ewingii (6.3%), and Borrelia lonestari (2.6%), while both larval (24.3%) and adult (43.5%) LSTs were positive for a Rickettsia spp. by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). White-tailed deer (WTD) were the only wildlife PCR positive for E. chaffeensis (18.8%), B. lonestari (3.1%), and Anaplasma phagocytophilum (3.1%). In addition, WTD had the highest seroprevalence to B. lonestari (19.3%) and E. chaffeensis (43.9%) antigens while raccoons had the highest seroprevalence to spotted fever group rickettsiae (R. parkeri antigen) (73.7%). These studies demonstrate evidence of potentially zoonotic tick-borne agents in LSTs and wildlife in Mississippi underscoring the importance of monitoring these agents for human and animal health.
URI
https://hdl.handle.net/11668/17060
Recommended Citation
Castellaw, Ashley Harris, "Detection Of Tick-Borne Bacterial Agents In Lone Star Ticks (Amblyomma Americanum) And Various Wildlife In Mississippi" (2009). Theses and Dissertations. 1334.
https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/td/1334