title: A retrospective serologic survey for Anaplasma spp. infection in three bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) populations in California.
abstract: Using an indirect immunofluorescence assay, we determined the prevalence of Anaplasma-reactive antibody in three herds of bighorn sheep, each a different subspecies and occupying a different habitat in California (USA). Antibodies to Anaplasma spp. were identified in none of twenty California bighorn (Ovis canadensis californiana) sampled from the Mt. Baxter herd, 11 of 17 peninsular bighorn (O. canadensis cremnobates) sampled in the Santa Rosa Mountains, and all 20 desert bighorn (O. canadensis nelsoni) sampled at Old Dad Peak/Kelso Mountains. Based on an assay and an adsorption technique, the titers most likely were due to Anaplasma ovis. The presence and species of tick vectors in each of the habitats, and the presence or absence of deer or livestock were identified as factors potentially influencing seroprevalence of antibodies.
authors.affiliation: Wildlife Investigations Laboratory, California Department of Fish and Game, Rancho Cordova 95670.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Jessup
authors.forename: W L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Goff
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stiller
authors.forename: M N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Oliver
authors.forename: V C
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Bleich
authors.forename: W M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Boyce
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D000709:Anaplasma / Q000276:immunology*; D000712:Anaplasmosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood*; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D003429:Cross Reactions; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D007106:Immune Sera / Q000276:immunology; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012756:Sheep; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D007106:Immune Sera