title: Experimental and field studies on the suitability of raccoons (Procyon lotor) as hosts for tick-borne pathogens.
abstract: We investigated the experimental susceptibility and natural exposure of raccoons (Procyon lotor) to five tick-borne pathogens of human and veterinary importance, Ehrlichia canis, E. chaffeensis, E. ewingii, Anaplasma phagocytophilum (ApVariant 1 and Ap-ha HGE-1 strains), and Borrelia lonestari. Infections were assessed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) testing, and/or culture isolation methods for at least 30 days postinoculation (DPI). Two E. chaffeensis-inoculated raccoons seroconverted and were transiently PCR positive. One raccoon was culture positive. Laboratory raised Amblyomma americanum nymphs fed on a third infected raccoon failed to become infected. Two A. phagocytophilum (HGE-1)-inoculated raccoons became PCR positive and seroconverted. Both remained positive for at least 74 DPI. In contrast, raccoons inoculated with A. phagocytophilum (Ap-Variant 1) were only transiently PCR positive and only seroconverted with low titers. No evidence of infection was observed for E. ewingii- and B. lonestari-inoculated raccoons. Only one E. canis-inoculated raccoon was PCR positive 3 DPI. Serologic testing of wild raccoons from five populations (3 infested with ticks) in Georgia and Florida showed antibodies reactive with E. chaffeensis in the 3 tick-infested populations (range of 30%-46%), E. canis in the same three populations (8%-23%), A. phagocytophilum in a single raccoon from Florida (12%), and Borrelia spp. in all 5 populations (8%-53%). All raccoons were PCR negative for tick-borne pathogens. These data suggest that raccoons are likely not important reservoirs of E. canis, E. ewingii, or B. lonestari. However, raccoons are experimentally susceptible and naturally exposed to E. chaffeensis, and these data support the previous finding that raccoons may be involved in the natural history of A. phagocytophilum.
authors.affiliation: Daniel B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA. myabsley@uga.edu
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Yabsley
authors.forename: Staci M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: M Page
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Luttrell
authors.forename: Susan E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Little
authors.forename: Robert F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Massung
authors.forename: David E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Stallknecht
authors.forename: Lisa A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Conti
authors.forename: Carina G M
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Blackmore
authors.forename: Lance A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Durden
mesh_terms: D041081:Anaplasma phagocytophilum / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000818:Animals; D001898:Borrelia / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001899:Borrelia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary; D004197:Disease Reservoirs / Q000382:microbiology*; D004536:Ehrlichia / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016873:Ehrlichiosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary; D005431:Florida / Q000453:epidemiology; D005845:Georgia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D011821:Raccoons / Q000382:microbiology*; D017282:Tick-Borne Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*