Abstract
A survey was conducted to determine the prevalence and identity of virus(es) associated with ticks and California gulls ( Larus californicus Lawrence) during July 1984 on islands in Mono Lake, Calif. A total of 800 Argas n. sp. was collected from under rocks associated with nests of this gull and assayed for virus. From 60 pools each containing 10 ticks and from 200 ticks tested individually, 28 isolates of virus recovered in Vero or baby hamster kidney cells were all identified as Mono Lake (ML) virus, both by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). Neutralizing antibody to ML virus was detected in serum of 37% (17/46) of the gull chicks and two adult gulls tested. In the laboratory, 1-d-old domestic chickens were susceptible to infection with ML virus and subsequently produced antibody detectable by ELISA. Given an estimated overall infection rate of 4.7% for ticks, the prevalence of neutralizing antibody in young gulls, and the abundance of ticks, the potential for transmission of ML virus to California gulls breeding at Mono Lake would appear to be significant.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
