Serologic evidence of infections of white-tailed deer in Wisconsin with three California group arboviruses (La Crosse, trivittatus, and Jamestown Canyon).

Abstract Sera collected from 587 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in three different areas of Wisconsin during the hunting seasons of 1969, 1970, and 1971 were tested for their ability to neutralize La Crosse (LAC), Trivittatus (TVT), snowshoe hare (SSH), and Jamestown Canyon (JC) viruses in a tissue culture neutralization test. The results for each area were similar for the 3 years but differences were noted between areas. Overall, 65% of the samples neutralized one or more of the viruses used. Sera from 216 deer in the southwestern area showed specific neutralization of LAC virus (16%), JC virus (19%), and TVT virus (2%). Sera from 371 deer from east and west-central Wisconsin neutralized only JC virus at a rate of 77%. Based on serologic results, Jamestown Canyon virus was the most prevalent of the California group arboviruses in Wisconsin white-tailed deer tested, and deer may be important vertebrate hosts for JC virus in nature.