Seroprevalence of Mycoplasma alligatoris among free-ranging alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) in Florida--2003.
Mycoplasma alligatoris causes acute lethal infection of alligators (Alligator mississippiensis). The objective of this study was to assess the current seroprevalence of M. alligatoris among free-ranging, juvenile and subadult alligators in Florida. Thirty-two of 592 (5.4%) plasma samples from alligators at 12 of 20 sites (60%) in April and October 2003 were tested seropositive (titer 1: > or = 32) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for anti-M. alligatoris antibodies. These results show that alligators throughout Florida have a recent history of exposure to M. alligatoris and suggest that contact with free-ranging alligators may constitute a risk of lethal infection of susceptible crocodilians.
Brown
Daniel R
DR
Department of Pathobiology, P.O. Box 110880, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611-0880, USA.
Zacher
Laurie A
LA
Carbonneau
Dwayne A
DA
D000489:Alligators and Crocodiles / Q000382:microbiology; D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild / Q000382:microbiology; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009174:Mycoplasma / Q000276:immunology*; D009175:Mycoplasma Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012621:Seasons; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial