Prevalence of Borrelia spp. in Ixodes ticks in Southeastern Virginia
Description/Abstract/Artist Statement
Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States. The pathogen, Borrelia burgdorferi, is primarily transmitted by the blacklegged tick: Ixodes scapularis in the East and Midwest and Ixodes pacificus in the West. Ixodes scapularis along with another vector, Ixodes affinis, are known to be established in southeastern Virginia. This study determines prevalence of B. burgdorferi specifically within these ticks which could be an indicator of the risk of human B. burgdorferi infections in the area. Other Borrelia species carried by these ticks include B. miyamotoi and B. carolinensis. These species of Borrelia are known to cause symptoms similar to Lyme disease as a result of infection. Questing I. scapularis and I. affinis were collected by flagging at various field sites between 2010 and 2012. The presence of Borrelia spp. was determined by screening extracted DNA from the collected ticks using real-time PCR. Identification of B. burgdorferi was determined by sequencing the ospC gene. A real-time PCR assay differentiated I. scapularis and I. affinis with sequencing used to confirm results. This study shows a 14.7% prevalence of infection in I. scapularis and a 41.8% prevalence in I. affinis. Ixodes affinis acts as a reservoir for the pathogen and contributes to the increased prevalence of Borrelia spp. within southeastern Virginia. Further research and surveillance is needed on these disease vectors and the pathogens they carry.
Faculty Advisor/Mentor
Wayne Hynes
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Disciplines
Biology | Entomology | Molecular Biology
Session Title
Biological Sciences 1 Presentations
Location
Learning Commons @ Perry Library Conference Room 1310
Start Date
2-3-2018 9:00 AM
End Date
2-3-2018 10:00 AM
Prevalence of Borrelia spp. in Ixodes ticks in Southeastern Virginia
Learning Commons @ Perry Library Conference Room 1310
Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States. The pathogen, Borrelia burgdorferi, is primarily transmitted by the blacklegged tick: Ixodes scapularis in the East and Midwest and Ixodes pacificus in the West. Ixodes scapularis along with another vector, Ixodes affinis, are known to be established in southeastern Virginia. This study determines prevalence of B. burgdorferi specifically within these ticks which could be an indicator of the risk of human B. burgdorferi infections in the area. Other Borrelia species carried by these ticks include B. miyamotoi and B. carolinensis. These species of Borrelia are known to cause symptoms similar to Lyme disease as a result of infection. Questing I. scapularis and I. affinis were collected by flagging at various field sites between 2010 and 2012. The presence of Borrelia spp. was determined by screening extracted DNA from the collected ticks using real-time PCR. Identification of B. burgdorferi was determined by sequencing the ospC gene. A real-time PCR assay differentiated I. scapularis and I. affinis with sequencing used to confirm results. This study shows a 14.7% prevalence of infection in I. scapularis and a 41.8% prevalence in I. affinis. Ixodes affinis acts as a reservoir for the pathogen and contributes to the increased prevalence of Borrelia spp. within southeastern Virginia. Further research and surveillance is needed on these disease vectors and the pathogens they carry.