The potential role of swift foxes (Vulpes velox) and their fleas in plague outbreaks in prairie dogs.
Swift foxes (Vulpes velox) have been proposed as potential carriers of fleas infected with the bacterium Yersinia pestis between areas of epizootics in black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus). We examined antibody prevalence rates of a population of swift foxes in Colorado, USA, and used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays to examine their flea biota for evidence of Y. pestis. Fifteen of 61 (24%) captured foxes were seropositive, and antibody prevalence was spatially correlated with epizootic plague activity in prairie dog colonies in the year of, and previous to, the study. Foxes commonly harbored the flea Pulex simulans, though none of the fleas was positive for Y. pestis.
Salkeld
Daniel J
DJ
Department of Biological Science, California State University, Fullerton, California 92834, USA. dsalkeld@nature.berkeley.edu
Eisen
Rebecca J
RJ
Stapp
Paul
P
Wilder
Aryn P
AP
Lowell
Jennifer
J
Tripp
Daniel W
DW
Albertson
Doug
D
Antolin
Michael F
MF
D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D003120:Colorado / Q000453:epidemiology; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000662:veterinary; D004197:Disease Reservoirs / Q000662:veterinary; D005589:Foxes / Q000469:parasitology*; D007303:Insect Vectors; D010930:Plague / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D012376:Rodent Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012589:Sciuridae / Q000382:microbiology / Q000469:parasitology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D005423:Siphonaptera / Q000382:microbiology*; D013045:Species Specificity; D015010:Yersinia pestis / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial