Data From: Prevalence and risk factors of Anaplasma infections in eastern moose (Alces alces americana) and winter ticks (Dermacentor albipictus) in Maine, United States

Eastern moose (Alces alces americana) are heavily parasitized by winter ticks (Dermacentor albipictus), the dominant cause of increased calf mortality in the northeastern United States. Although much work has focused on the direct negative effects of winter tick on moose, it remains unknown whether diseases transmitted by ticks may also affect moose health, or pose a risk to other species. In this study, we explored the role that moose and winter ticks play in transmission of the tick-borne bacterial pathogen, Anaplasma, which causes mild to severe illness in humans and domestic animals. Our objectives were to (1) estimate the prevalence of Anaplasma spp. in moose and winter tick, (2) determine the phylogenetic placement of these strains with respect to those found in other hosts and vectors, and (3) explore risk factors of Anaplasma infection in moose. A total of 157 moose (142 calves, 15 adults) were captured in western (n = 83) and northern (n = 74) Maine in 2017 and 2018. We screene...