Date of Graduation
5-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science in Biology
Degree Level
Undergraduate
Department
Biological Sciences
Advisor/Mentor
Dowling, Ashley
Committee Member
Maynard, Danielle
Second Committee Member
Du, Yuchun
Third Committee Member
Plavcan, Joseph
Abstract
Cytauxzoonosis, caused by transmission from a tick infected with the pathogen Cytauxzoon felis, is considered an emerging tick-borne disease in domestic felines. While not as fatal in other vertebrates such as the reservoir host Lynx rufus (bobcat), in domestic cats, infection is fatal nearly 100% of the time. This study sought to screen ticks pulled from felines for the pathogen across three states in an area identified as a hotspot. Out of 80 ticks screened, 12 tested positive for the pathogen. The positive population of ticks came from 3 neighboring counties in Southern Missouri: Jasper, McDonald, and Newton. McDonald County yielded the highest percent prevalence of 64%. The results of this study yielded a distribution map displaying positive tick specimens across Southwestern Missouri to aid in the research for a competent vaccine.
Keywords
Missouri; tick-borne; bobcat fever
Citation
Haynes, A. (2025). The Prevalence of Cytauxzoon felis in Southern United States. Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/biscuht/118
