Bovine Anaplasmosis Transmission Studies Conducted Under Controlled Natural Exposure in a Dermacentor andersoni = (venustus) Indigenous Area of Eastern Oregon

Abstract

In Anaplasma marginale transmission studies conducted on the high semi-arid range of eastern Oregon during the 1974 and 1975 vector season, A marginale-susceptible calves (principals) were maintained on 2 raised tick-proof platforms. Anaplasmosis-susceptible control calves of approximately the same age and latent-infected cows grazed the area surrounding the platforms. One latent-infected steer spent the entire 1975 vector season on a platform with the principals. The 28 principals did not develop anaplasmosis, whereas 15 of 30 (50%) controls became infected. The disease was not transmitted from the latent-infected cattle to the principals exposed only to flying hematophagous insects, whereas 50% of the controls exposed to the Rocky Mountain wood tick Dermacentor andersoni) = (venustus) developed the disease. Dermacentor andersoni appears to be the principal vector on this range.