Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
posted
Spread the news! Too many thought, and still think, this was not possible.
FINALLY, someone is actually checking into it.
Deer “ked” is a deer fly and they have a painful bite. See more on deer ked below the abstract.
Deer flies can also pass along Bartonella.
J Vector Ecol. 2016 Dec;41(2):292-294. doi: 10.1111/jvec.12225. Detection of Lyme disease and anaplasmosis pathogens via PCR in Pennsylvania deer ked. Buss M1, Case L1, Kearney B1, Coleman C1, Henning JD1. Author information 1Department of Biology, University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, Johnstown, PA 15904, U.S.A.
Abstract Borrelia burgdorferi and Anaplasma phagocytophilum are obligate intracellular parasites that maintain their life cycles in enzoonotic vector-host cycles with Ixodes scapularis as a vector.
In addition to ticks, the hosts are commonly infested with insects from the Hippoboscidae family.
This study confirms the presence of B. burgdorferi and A. phagocytophilum in deer keds (Lipoptena cervi) removed from white-tailed deer using PCR.
Detection of these pathogens in deer ked represents a potential novel susceptibility of wildlife and also suggests the risk of transmission of these pathogens to humans and animals alike through the bite of an infected ectoparasite.
Lipoptena cervi, the deer ked or deer fly, is a species of biting fly in the family of louse flies, Hippoboscidae. These flies are commonly encountered in temperate areas of Europe, Siberia and Northern China. It has been introduced to North America.[2]
They are parasites of elk, deer and other bovine animals, burrowing through the fur and sucking the blood of the host animals.
L. cervi is relatively small, adults usually being 5–7 millimetres (0.20–0.28 in) in length and are brownish in colour. Their body is flat and elastic, making their removal difficult.
L. cervi is a poor flier and can only fly for short distances. Once the insect reaches its target, it sheds its wings and starts burrowing through the fur.
They will bite humans, and the bites are said to be painful and may cause an allergic skin reaction. Initially the bite may be barely noticeable and leaves little or no trace.
Within 3 days, the site develops into a hard, reddened welt. The accompanying itch is intense and typically lasts 14 to 20 days. Occasionally, an itchpapule may persist for a year.[3]
Horses have been attacked, with severe symptoms of colic as a result.[4]
Dogs that are bitten may develop a moderate to severe dermatitis.[4]
German researchers have found that L. cervi can carry and spread the Bartonella bacterium Bartonella schoenbuchensis in deer.[3]
Most of Europe including Great Britain (but absent from Ireland), Algeria, Eastern Siberia and Northern China.
Introduced and established in the Eastern United States (New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New York).[7] It has also recently spread to Finland from Russia in the early 1960s where it primarily feeds on moose; though it is spreading to reindeer.
[MY NOTE- Also found in other states.]
Red deer, moose, roe deer, fallow deer and Siberian musk deer. In the United States it has acquired hosts such as elk, white-tailed deer and reindeer.[6][7]
There are stray records of bites on humans, dogs[10] and badger, and will occasionally commit to the wrong host.
TNT
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 42349
posted
Up until now, the scientific and medical literature said that Deer flies could only pass Anaplasma by the occasional mechanical route. I have been proposing to friends for a while now, that, just like other Rickettsias can be transmitted by biting flies, it's very possible Anaplasma could be too. It looks like it has been proven.
Great find Tincup! Thanks!
Posts: 1308 | From Eastern USA | Registered: Oct 2013
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TNT
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 42349
posted
I'll post this link about Rickettsias for those of you who don't watch the microscopy thread. It's such a great overview.
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