Reported County-Level Distribution of Lyme Disease Spirochetes, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto and Borrelia mayonii (Spirochaetales: Spirochaetaceae), in Host-Seeking Ixodes scapularis and Ixodes pacificus Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) in the Contiguous United States

Abstract

Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States. While Lyme disease vectors are widespread, high incidence states are concentrated in the Northeast, North Central and Mid-Atlantic regions. Mapping the distribution of Lyme disease spirochetes in ticks may aid in providing data-driven explanations of epidemiological trends and recommendations for targeting prevention strategies to communities at risk. We compiled data from the literature, publicly available tickborne pathogen surveillance databases, and internal CDC pathogen testing databases to map the county-level distribution of Lyme disease spirochetes reported in host-seeking Ixodes pacificus and Ixodes scapularis across the contiguous United States. We report B. burgdorferi s.s.-infected I. scapularis from 384 counties spanning 26 eastern states located primarily in the North Central, Northeastern, and Mid-Atlantic regions, and in I. pacificus from 20 counties spanning 2 western states, with most records reported from northern and north-coastal California. Borrelia mayonii was reported in I. scapularis in 10 counties in Minnesota and Wisconsin in the North Central United States, where records of B. burgdorferi s.s. were also reported. In comparison to a broad distribution of vector ticks, the resulting map shows a more limited distribution of Lyme disease spirochetes.

Citizen Science Provides an Efficient Method for Broad-Scale Tick-Borne Pathogen Surveillance of Ixodes pacificus and Ixodes scapularis across the United States

“…The Borrelia pathogen data elicited by the citizen science project generally followed the distribution of I. scapularis and I. pacificus across the United States. Comparing B. burgdorferi sensu lato trends to previous work finds similar trends ( 5 ). However, several caveats need to be described before comparing our B. burgdorferi sensu lato maps to Fleshman et al ( 5 ) ( Fig.…”

“…Comparing B. burgdorferi sensu lato trends to previous work finds similar trends ( 5 ). However, several caveats need to be described before comparing our B. burgdorferi sensu lato maps to Fleshman et al ( 5 ) ( Fig. 8 ).…”

“…8 ). First, Fleshman et al ( 5 ) restricted a county’s presence/absence status only to B. burgdorferi sensu stricto in ticks collected by scientists. Our data are for Lyme group Borrelia —and so may incorporate more diversity in tick-borne pathogens.…”

“… County-level comparison of B. burgdorferi distributions from Fleshman et al ( 5 ) ( B. burgdorferi sensu stricto ) and citizen science pathogen testing results ( B. burgdorferi sensu lato ). …”

“…On the West Coast, though overall patterns of Borrelia infection in I. pacificus are largely consistent between studies, there are interesting discrepancies. For example, Humboldt County, California, is designated as not having B. burgdorferi based on field surveillance ( 5 ). However, citizen scientist submissions suggest that B. burgdorferi sensu lato is locally present.…”