Fowl Spirochetosis Transmitted by Argas persicus (Oken), 1818 From Texas

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Abstract
A white Leghorn rooster, on which a large number of ticks obtained from a poultry raiser in El Paso, Texas, were being maintained, became very ill. Blood smears were not made at first, and later they were negative for parasites. Several hundred progeny from these ticks and a few unfed nymphs and adults were next fed on a white Leghorn pullet. A blood smear from the normal hen was negative. In 6 days the pullet was ill, and the blood smears were positive for spirochetes. On the 7th day many spirochetes were present in blood smears, and a few were still present in the peripheral circulation on the 8th day. After that time no spirochetes were found in blood smears. Symptoms of the spirochetosis were jaundice, anorexia, and diarrhea, with loss of wt. The rooster showed partial paralysis. Both birds tended to sit and droop the head with the eyes shut. Recovery was uneventful. This may be the first finding of tick-borne avian spirochetosis in the U. S. The vector of Borrelia anserina, the agent of fowl spirochetosis, is the fowl tick, Argas persicus.

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