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Granulocytic Ehrlichia infection in domestic and wild ruminants in Norway

Stuen, Snorre (1), Handeland, Kjell (2), Bergström, Karin (3)

(1) Dept Sheep and Goat Research, Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, Sandnes, Norway;
(2) Section of Wildlife Diseases, National Veterinary Institute, Oslo, Norway;
(3) Dept of Bacteriology, National Veterinary Institute, Uppsala , Sweden

Email: Snorre.Stuen@veths.no

Tick-borne fever (TBF) in sheep caused by Ehrlichia phagocytophila and transmitted by the tick Ixodes ricinus, was the first granulocytic ehrlichial infection to be described, and has for decades been a well-known disease in domestic ruminants in several countries in Europe. E. phagocytophila belongs to the same genogroup as E. equi and the human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE) agent. TBF is a very common disease in domestic ruminants along the coast of southern Norway. The present investigation revealed that granulocytic Ehrlichia infection also is common in wild ruminants inhabiting the same areas. Results from TBF-diagnostic material from cattle, sheep and goat and a serosurvey on the prevalence of granulocytic Ehrlichia infection among moose (Alces alces), red deer (Cervus elaphus), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and sheep in different I. ricinus infested areas in southern Norway are presented.