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Experimental & applied acarology1990; 8(1-2); 41-50; doi: 10.1007/BF01193380

Attempted transmission of Ehrlichia risticii, causative agent of Potomac horse fever, by the ticks, Dermacentor variabilis, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Ixodes scapularis and Amblyomma americanum.

Abstract: Dermacentor variabilis, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Amblyomma americanum, and Ixodes scapularis ticks were investigated for their ability to transmit Potomac horse fever. Larval and nymphal ticks were exposed to Ehrlichia risticii by feeding on mice inoculated with the organism. Molted exposed ticks were then allowed to feed on susceptible ponies or mice. No evidence of transmission, either clinically or by detection of antibodies to E. risticii in mice or ponies, was observed for any tick species examined.
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Publication Date: 1990-01-01 PubMed ID: 2307070DOI: 10.1007/BF01193380Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This study investigates the ability of certain tick species to transmit Potomac horse fever. The researchers found no evidence that these ticks could transmit the disease.

Introduction

Potomac horse fever is a disease that primarily affects horses and is caused by a bacterium called Ehrlichia risticii. This research paper aims at studying whether four types of ticks, Dermacentor variabilis, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Amblyomma americanum, and Ixodes scapularis, can transmit this bacterium and thus, Potomac horse fever.

Methodology

  • The larval and nymphal stages of the four kinds of ticks were exposed to Ehrlichia risticii. This was done by allowing the ticks to feed on mice that had been inoculated with the bacteria.
  • Ticks that survived and molted were then allowed to feed on ponies or mice that were susceptible to the bacteria.
  • The researchers then carefully monitored the mice and ponies for signs of Potomac horse fever, and tested their blood for the presence of antibodies to Ehrlichia risticii.

Results

  • No evidence of transmission was found in any of the four tick species examined.
  • This was determined by the lack of clinical symptoms of the disease, and the absence of antibodies to Ehrlichia risticii in the blood of the ponies and mice the ticks had fed on after exposure.

Conclusion

This study provides valuable insights into the vectorial capacity of certain tick species for transmitting Potomac horse fever. No evidence was found that the tick species Dermacentor variabilis, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Amblyomma americanum or Ixodes scapularis can transmit this disease, highlighting the need to investigate other potential vectors.

This information could help in the development of new strategies for controlling the spread of Potomac horse fever, by focusing on the true vectors of the disease.

Cite This Article

APA
Hahn NE, Fletcher M, Rice RM, Kocan KM, Hansen JW, Hair JA, Barker RW, Perry BD. (1990). Attempted transmission of Ehrlichia risticii, causative agent of Potomac horse fever, by the ticks, Dermacentor variabilis, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Ixodes scapularis and Amblyomma americanum. Exp Appl Acarol, 8(1-2), 41-50. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01193380

Publication

Experimental & applied acarology
ISSN: 0168-8162
NlmUniqueID: 8507436
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 8
Issue: 1-2
Pages: 41-50

Researcher Affiliations

Hahn, N E
  • Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg 24061.
Fletcher, M
    Rice, R M
      Kocan, K M
        Hansen, J W
          Hair, J A
            Barker, R W
              Perry, B D

                MeSH Terms

                • Animals
                • Arachnid Vectors / microbiology
                • Dermacentor / microbiology
                • Ehrlichia / isolation & purification
                • Horse Diseases / transmission
                • Horses
                • Larva / microbiology
                • Mice
                • Nymph / microbiology
                • Rickettsiaceae / isolation & purification
                • Rickettsiaceae Infections / transmission
                • Rickettsiaceae Infections / veterinary
                • Ticks / microbiology

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                This article includes 15 references
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                Citations

                This article has been cited 3 times.
                1. Pusterla N, Madigan JE, Chae JS, DeRock E, Johnson E, Pusterla JB. Helminthic transmission and isolation of Ehrlichia risticii, the causative agent of Potomac horse fever, by using trematode stages from freshwater stream snails. J Clin Microbiol 2000 Mar;38(3):1293-7.
                  doi: 10.1128/JCM.38.3.1293-1297.2000pubmed: 10699046google scholar: lookup
                2. Barlough JE, Reubel GH, Madigan JE, Vredevoe LK, Miller PE, Rikihisa Y. Detection of Ehrlichia risticii, the agent of Potomac horse fever, in freshwater stream snails (Pleuroceridae: Juga spp.) from northern California. Appl Environ Microbiol 1998 Aug;64(8):2888-93.
                  doi: 10.1128/AEM.64.8.2888-2893.1998pubmed: 9687446google scholar: lookup
                3. Reubel GH, Barlough JE, Madigan JE. Production and characterization of Ehrlichia risticii, the agent of Potomac horse fever, from snails (Pleuroceridae: Juga spp.) in aquarium culture and genetic comparison to equine strains. J Clin Microbiol 1998 Jun;36(6):1501-11.
                  doi: 10.1128/JCM.36.6.1501-1511.1998pubmed: 9620368google scholar: lookup
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