Heartland Virus Exposure in White-Tailed Deer in the Southeastern United States, 2001-2015.

ABSTRACT: Heartland virus (HRTV) is a North American phlebovirus suspected to be transmitted by the lone star tick Amblyomma americanum. White-tailed deer (WTD) have been shown to develop HRTV-neutralizing antibodies following experimental infection. To further define the geographic distribution of HRTV through retrospective sampling of WTD, sera from the WTD herd health serum archive at the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study between 2001 and 2015 were analyzed using serum neutralization. Of 783 serum samples tested, 57 (7.3%) were positive for HRTV-neutralizing antibodies. Deer with moderate to heavy tick burdens were more likely seropositive. Seropositive samples were obtained from deer originating from states with documented human cases of HRTV-associated disease. Serop

SUBMITTER: Clarke LL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6221220 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature