Am. Kjemtrup et al., Description and epidemiology of Theileria youngi n. sp from a northern Californian dusky-footed woodrat (Neotoma fuscipes) population, J PARASITOL, 87(2), 2001, pp. 373-378
An epidemiologic study designed to identify the small mammal reservoir for
the zoonotic WA1-type babesial parasite resulted in the discovery of a smal
l, intraerythrocytic piroplasm in smeared blood from dusky-footed woodrats
(Neotoma fuscipes) in northern California. The woodrat parasites were isola
ted and compared to other piroplasm parasites based on their morphology, an
tigenicity, and genetic characteristics. These studies indicated that the w
oodrat parasites were not the WA1-type babesial agent but were of the genus
Theileria. We accordingly named it Theileria youngi. The prevalence in the
woodrat population was high (61%). Infection was unrelated to gender or ag
e of the woodrats. potential vectors for this tick-transmitted parasite inc
luded 3 species of ticks recovered from the woodrats, Dermacentor occidenta
lis, Ixodes woodi, and Ixodes pacificus. Mostly larval or nymphal stages we
re recovered, suggesting transstadial transmission is possible. This is the
first piroplasm fully characterized from a dusky-footed woodrat.