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.

Presenting Author Name/s

Zachary Bement

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

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS
 
Feb 3rd, 9:00 AM Feb 3rd, 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.