Seroprevalence ofin White-Tailed Deer () in New York State.

Abstract

The parasitic protozoa,(), is a model organism for one health because of its wide-ranging impacts on humans, wildlife, and domestic animals. Intermediate hosts, including white-tailed deer (), have been implicated in its maintenance. Prior analysis ofseroprevalence in New York State deer focused on rural areas; however, the high density of domestic cats () in urban areas has been implicated in its spread amongst deer. To address this, the seroprevalence ofwas assessed across two suburban and urban areas with known deer overabundance in Onondaga and Suffolk County. Here, domestic cats are the only likely definitive host. Between 2019 and 2023, serum from culled deer was collected, andseropositivity was determined using the modified agglutination test. Overall seroprevalence was 49.31% (= 144) but was significantly higher in Onondaga (64%) compared to Suffolk County (36%), despite similarities between these two regions. Deer from Onondaga also had higher antibody titers. These data suggest that although urbanization may be a predictor ofseropositivity in deer, there are additional contributing factors. Overall, this study emphasizes the need for continued surveillance in intermediate hosts and informs public health and wildlife management decisions aimed at limiting the impact of.