Using White-tailed Deer () in Infectious Disease Research.

Between 1940 and 2004, more than 335 emerging infectious disease events were reported in the scientific literature. The majority (60%) of these events involved zoonoses, most of which (72%) were of wildlife origin or had an epidemiologically important wildlife host. Because this trend of increasing emerging diseases likely will continue, understanding the pathogenesis, transmission, and diagnosis of these diseases in the relevant wildlife host is paramount.

High-impact animal health research conducted at the USDA's National Animal Disease Center.

Commissioned by President Dwight Eisenhower in 1958 and opened with a dedication ceremony in December 1961, the USDA, Agricultural Research Service (ARS), National Animal Disease Center (NADC) celebrated its 50-year anniversary in November 2011. Over these 50 years, the NADC established itself among the world's premier animal health research centers. Its historic mission has been to conduct basic and applied research on selected endemic diseases of economic importance to the U.

Use of the intradermal tuberculin test in a herd of captive elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) naturally infected with Mycobacterium bovis.

In the United States, tuberculosis of captive cervids, caused by Mycobacterium bovis, attracted attention in 1991 when investigations, prompted by the identification of a tuberculous elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) of U.S. origin exported to Canada, revealed tuberculosis in 10 different elk herds in 8 different states.

Survival of Mycobacterium bovis on feedstuffs commonly used as supplemental feed for white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus).

Mycobacterium bovis, the causative agent of bovine tuberculosis, has become established in free-ranging white-tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus in northeastern Michigan. The practice of supplemental feeding of white-tailed deer during the winter is believed to contribute to transmission of M. bovis between deer.

Investigation of the transmission of Mycobacterium bovis from deer to cattle through indirect contact.

Objective: To investigate the infection of calves with Mycobacterium bovis through oral exposure and transmission of M. bovis from experimentally infected white-tailed deer to uninfected cattle through indirect contact.

Animals: 24 11-month-old, white-tailed deer and 28 6-month-old, crossbred calves.

CD80 and CD86, but not CD154, augment DNA vaccine-induced protection in experimental bovine tuberculosis.

DNA vaccination is known to elicit robust cellular and humoral responses to encoded antigen. The co-administration of costimulatory molecules CD80 (B7-1), CD86 (B7-2) and CD154 (CD40L) has been shown to enhance immune responses in several murine models. The role of specific costimulatory molecules in non-rodent species remains incompletely characterized.

Shared feed as a means of deer-to-deer transmission of Mycobacterium bovis.

To determine the ability of experimentally inoculated white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) to transmit Mycobacterium bovis to naïve deer through the sharing of feed, four deer were intratonsillarly inoculated with 4 x 10(5) colony-forming units of M. bovis. On a daily basis, feed not consumed by inoculated deer after approximately 8 hr was offered to four naïve deer maintained in a separate pen, where direct contact, aerosol transmission, or transmission through personnel were prevented.

The sensitivity of gross necropsy, caudal fold and comparative cervical tests for the diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis.

Bovine tuberculosis (bTb) was diagnosed in 22 cattle herds in the northeast comer of Michigan's lower peninsula. Of these 22 herds, 494 animals in 7 herds were examined by gross necropsy, histopathologic exam, mycobacterial culture, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay performed only on samples that were histologically compatible for bTb. Results of culture and PCR assay interpreted in parallel were used as the reference test for calculation of the sensitivity of 1) the caudal fold test (CFT), 2) the caudal fold and comparative cervical skin tests used in series (CFTCCTSER), and 3) gross necropsy.

Evaluation of an in vitro blood-based assay to detect production of interferon-gamma by Mycobacterium bovis-infected white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus).

Tuberculosis due to Mycobacterium bovis in captive Cervidae was identified as an important disease in the United States in 1990 and prompted the addition of captive Cervidae to the USDA Uniform Methods and Rules for eradication of bovine tuberculosis. As well, M. bovis infection was identified in free-ranging white-tailed deer in northeast Michigan in 1995.

Aerosol exposure of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) to Mycobacterium bovis.

Tuberculosis due to Mycobacterium bovis affects both captive and free-ranging Cervidae in the United States. Various animal models have been developed to study tuberculosis of both humans and animals. Generally, tuberculosis is transmitted by aerosol and oral routes.

Mycobacterium bovis-infected white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus): detection of immunoglobulin specific to crude mycobacterial antigens by ELISA.

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) have recently emerged as a source of Mycobacterium bovis infection for cattle within North America. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antibody response of M. bovis-infected deer to crude mycobacterial antigens.

Prevalence of Mycobacterium bovis infection in cervids on privately owned ranches.

Objective: To determine prevalence of tuberculosis caused by infection with Mycobacterium bovis in cervids on privately owned ranches in northeastern lower Michigan.

Design: Epidemiologic survey.

Animals: Cervids on 96 privately owned ranches.

Susceptibility of raccoons (Procyon lotor) to infection with Mycobacterium bovis.

Tuberculosis due to Mycobacterium bovis infection is endemic in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in the northeastern portion of the lower Michigan peninsula (USA). Various wild carnivores and omnivores, including raccoons (Procyon lotor), are infected with M. bovis within the endemic area.

Phage infection, transfection and transformation of Mycobacterium avium complex and Mycobacterium paratuberculosis.

Mycobacterium avium complex strains and Mycobacterium paratuberculosis are closely related intracellular pathogens affecting humans and animals. M. avium complex infections are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in AIDS patients, and M.