A Molecular Survey of Ehrlichia Chaffeensis and Ehrlichia Ewingii in Dogs and Ticks From Southwest Missouri

Ehrlichiosis is a newly recognized human disease that is caused by bacteria of the genus Ehrlichia. Previous studies have suggested that dogs may serve as reservoirs for some species of Ehrlichia. Nested-PCR was used to survey for the presence of Ehrlichia chaffeensis and Ehrlichia ewingii in blood samples of 37 tick-infested dogs from southwest Missouri. Eleven percent of the asymptomatic dogs tested were positive for E. ewingii, which suggest that dogs may serve as reservoirs for the bacteria in southwest Missouri. Ticks collected form the dogs were also examined using nested- PCR for the presence of these ehrlichial species. E. chaffeensis and E. ewingii were both detected in their recognized tick vector, the lone star tick. Ehrlichia ewingii was also detected in the American dog tick and the blask-legged tick; while E. chaffeensis was identified in the American dog tick.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science in Biology

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biology

Year

2002

Author dc:creator

• Dixon, Matthew

Contributors dc:contributor

• John Steiert

• Biology

Statement dc:rights

• © Matthew Dixon

Repository record dc:identifier

https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/608

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:bearworks.missouristate.edu:theses-1609