THE OCCURRENCE OF ANTIBODIES TO NAEGLERIA SPECIES IN WILD MAMMALS

Individuals from 13 wild mammalian species collected in southwestern T ennessee were serologically positive for anti-Naegleria spp. antibodie s (ANA). This is the first report of ANA in wild mammals. Interspecifi c differences in the occurrence of ANA and titers indicate that wild m ammals have differing degrees of contact with Naegleria spp. based on ecological or behavioral adaptations, and possibly the innate ability of a species to produce ANA. Intraspecifically, it appears that ifa ma mmal is exposed to Naegleria spp. in the environment, titers of ANA wi ll not significantly differ, regardless of age or sex. Adults of many species had significantly higher occurrences of ANA. Populations of ju venile wild mammals are probably at higher risk than adults to naegler ial infection in the environment, not because of lower titers, but bec ause their chance of having ANA is less than adults. Differences in th e occurrence of ANA in wild mammals may also reflect how humans are ex posed to Naegleria spp. in the environment.