Determining prevalence of Cytauxzoon felis in lone star ticks collected in southwestern Virginia
Event Type
Research Presentation
Academic Department
Biology
Location
Dana Science Building, 2nd floor
Start Date
26-4-2024 1:30 PM
End Date
26-4-2024 3:00 PM
Description
Under the direction of Dr. Elizabeth Gleim
Cytauxzoon felis is a hemoprotozoal, piroplasmid parasite that is vectored by the Amblyomma americanum (lone star) tick. Cytauxzoon felis is the causative agent of cytauxzoonosis in felids. In particular, because cytauxzoonosis has an approximately 40% mortality rate in domestic cats, it is considered a pathogen of veterinary relevance. Cytauxzoon felis primarily occurs in southern, south-central, and the mid-Atlantic United States. However, there is limited knowledge regarding the prevalence of C. felis in Virginia with most prior studies focusing on testing felids, not ticks. In this study, Amblyomma americanum adult ticks collected from various sites in southwestern Virginia are being tested for C. felis. To do this, DNA extractions are currently being performed and will be followed by a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) that targets the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS-1) region of C. felis. To date, DNA extractions have been completed on six A. americanum adults and C. felis testing is underway.
Determining prevalence of Cytauxzoon felis in lone star ticks collected in southwestern Virginia
Dana Science Building, 2nd floor
Under the direction of Dr. Elizabeth Gleim
Cytauxzoon felis is a hemoprotozoal, piroplasmid parasite that is vectored by the Amblyomma americanum (lone star) tick. Cytauxzoon felis is the causative agent of cytauxzoonosis in felids. In particular, because cytauxzoonosis has an approximately 40% mortality rate in domestic cats, it is considered a pathogen of veterinary relevance. Cytauxzoon felis primarily occurs in southern, south-central, and the mid-Atlantic United States. However, there is limited knowledge regarding the prevalence of C. felis in Virginia with most prior studies focusing on testing felids, not ticks. In this study, Amblyomma americanum adult ticks collected from various sites in southwestern Virginia are being tested for C. felis. To do this, DNA extractions are currently being performed and will be followed by a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) that targets the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS-1) region of C. felis. To date, DNA extractions have been completed on six A. americanum adults and C. felis testing is underway.