title: Preliminary studies on transmission of Chlamydia to cattle by ticks (Ornithodoros coriaceus).
abstract: Preliminary findings indicate that Ornithodoros coriaceus ticks can harbor Chlamydia for long periods and are able to transmit the agent to cattle. Field-collected O coriaceus ticks, which were infected experimentally with a bovine chlamydial agent from an aborted fetus, transmitted the agent 25 and 48 days later to three pregnant heifers. Two of these heifers aborted and the third delivered a term calf. The control heifer also aborted after intradermal (simulated tick) exposure. Also, a chlamydial agent was isolated from field-collected O coriaceus ticks in an epizootic bovine abortion (EBA)-enzootic area that were held for at least 6 months. In the same enzootic area, a chlamydial agent was isolated from a prematurely delivered calf during a severe EBA outbreak. Seemingly, this species is a cause, if not the cause, of EBA.
mesh_terms: D000034:Abortion, Veterinary / Q000382:microbiology; D000818:Animals; D001096:Arachnid Vectors; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000382:microbiology / Q000635:transmission*; D002689:Chlamydia / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D011247:Pregnancy; D013987:Ticks / Q000382:microbiology