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Anaplsma phagocytophila in
deer and cattle |
A. phagocytophila and deer:
- Deer can be infected with A. phagocytophila, although
as with Lyme disease, the primary reservoirs of the organism
in nature are the white-footed mouse in the eastern U.S. and
wood rats in the western U.S. However, HGE has been associated
with direct contact with deer blood in at least 3 patients from
WI and MN. Consequently, it is at least theoretically possible
that the organism may also be directly transmissible to veterinarians
through contact with blood from infected horses or dogs!
A. phagocytophila and cattle:
- In one experimental infection study, cattle seroconverted
when inoculated with A. phagocytophila, but did not develop
clinical disease, no morulae could be detected and the animals
remained PCR (-). However, fever, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia
and decreased milk production occur in cattle naturally infected
with A. phagocytophila in Europe. Serosurveys of cattle
in Connecticut (an endemic region for granulocytic ehrlichiosis)
from 1990-2000 found 4-12% seropositivity rates.
