Persistence of Anaplasma marginale (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae) in male Dermacentor andersoni (Acari: Ixodidae) transferred successively from infected to susceptible calves

Abstract

The persistence of Anaplasma marginale Theiler in male Dermacentor andersoni Stiles ticks exposed to the organism as adults was studied as the ticks were successively transferred to five susceptible calves. All calves fed upon by these ticks rapidly developed clinical anaplasmosis; incubation periods of infection ranged from 19 to 26 d and did not change significantly with successive feedings. Development of A. marginale in tick midgut and salivary glands was followed daily during tick feeding (total, 35 d) with light microscopy and DNA hybridization. With microscopy, A. marginale colonies persisted in midgut cells throughout the experiment. Large colonies were observed in gut muscle cells on days 8 through 35 and were the predominant infected cell type during this part of feeding. Colonies were seen in salivary gland acini from day 2 throughout the 35-d experiment. The DNA probe confirmed the presence of Anaplasma DNA in midgut and salivary glands throughout the experiment. Quantitative estimates of infection intensity in tissues of individual ticks approximated 10(7) initial body equivalents, confirming heavy infections. A marginale in midgut tissues decreased with feeding time, whereas the estimated number of organisms in salivary glands remained constant. These data demonstrate that D. andersoni males are efficient vectors of A. marginale and may be potential reservoirs of infection for ruminants for extended periods.