Seasonality of natural transmission of bovine anaplasmosis under desert mountain range conditions.
Splenectomized cattle and mature, spleen-intact cattle were used as sentinels in a 4-year study to assess the seasonality of naturally transmitted anaplasmosis. Sentinels were exchanged and/or monitored monthly on 4 study areas of desert mountain range land in Idaho, Oregon, and Utah. Acute Anaplasma infections were diagnosed in sentinels every month of the year. Of 44 total infections, 29 (66%) were detected during March through August, the primary arthropod season. From December through February, 8 (18%) of the total 44 Anaplasma infections were diagnosed; the winter tick, Dermacentor albipictus, was the probable disease vector. Susceptible cattle were determined to be at risk throughout the year, and anaplasmosis should be considered as a possible diagnosis in cattle with anemia during any season.
Zaugg
J L
JL
Department of Veterinary Science, Caine Veterinary Teaching and Research Center, University of Idaho, Caldwell 83605.
D000531:Altitude; D000712:Anaplasmosis / Q000469:parasitology / Q000635:transmission*; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000469:parasitology / Q000635:transmission*; D003889:Desert Climate; D008297:Male; D012621:Seasons; D013156:Splenectomy / Q000662:veterinary