Preliminary characterization and pathogenicity studies of a virus isolated from ticks (Ornithodoros coriaceus) and from tick-exposed cattle.

Several viral isolates from ticks (Ornithodoros coriaceus) and from the blood of cattle which aborted after exposure to these ticks were found to be identical by reciprocal cross serum-neutralization tests. Characterization studies indicate that the virus is a member of the Togaviridae family, although specific identification is still incomplete. Whether its natural host is the tick or bovine animals is also unknown. Pregnant cows inoculated with the agent by all conventional parenteral routes, including intrafetal, delivered healthy calves at term. It was concluded, therefore, that it was not a bovine pathogen and that the abortions which occurred after tick-exposure were due to a 2nd agent in O coriaceus ticks which also harbor the virus. While several ciruses believed to be tick-borne have been isolated from cattle in various parts of the world, it is believed that the present report describes the first isolation in the Western Hemisphere for a viral agent from Argasid ticks which has been demonstrated to replicate in cattle.