Spirochetes in Ticks and Antibodies to Borrelia Burgdorferi in White-Tailed Deer From Connecticut, New York State, and North Carolina

Abstract

Ticks were screened for spirochetes and serum samples from white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were assayed for antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi during 1983-1984. Using fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled rabbit antibodies produced to B. burgdorferi, the etiologic agent of Lyme disease, spirochetes were detected in Ixodes dammini (10.5% of 1,193) and Dermacentor albipictus (0.6% of 157) adults from Connecticut, I . dammini nymphs (49.1% of 108) and adults (64.7% of 99) from Armonk, New York, and in I . scapularis (0.4% of 531) and Amblyomma americanum (3.5% of 173) adults from North Carolina. Infected ticks were either seeking hosts or feeding on deer during the summer and fall. Direct fluorescent antibody staining also revealed spirochetes in two larvae of I . scapularis that emerged from eggs deposited by separate females in the laboratory. Using indirect immunofluorescence tests, antibodies to B. burgdorferi were identified in white-tailed deer living in tick-infested areas of all three states. Aside from minor cross-reactivity, there was no serologic evidence of Treponema or Leptospira infections. Ixodes dammini is a primary vector of B . burgdorferi in northeastern United States, but in North Carolina, other ixodid ticks may transmit this spirochete to humans and wildlife.

Serological Survey for Lyme Disease in Sika Deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis) by Enzyme‐Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)

“…By indirect immunoiluorescence tests, antibodies to B. burgdorferi were identified in white-tailed deer living in tick-infested areas. Ixodid ticks could transmit this spirochete to humans and wildlife (10). In a differing view point, Telford et al concluded that deer are not reservoirs for B. burgdorie ri (18) but that the animals are crucial determinants of the density and spatial distribution of the ticks (19,20).…”

“…It seeks an animal host, obtains a blood meal, and molts to the adult stage, completing the 2-year life cycle. The antibodies to B. burgdorferi were identified in white-tailed deer from Connecticut, New York State, and North Carolina, and ixodid ticks could transmit this spirochete to humans and wildlife (10). In Japan, Ixodid ticks, I. ovatus, I. persulcatus, I. nipponensis, I. tanuki, I. acutitarsus, I. angustus and others were parasitic on various wild animals, and some cases of human infestation were reported (17).…”

Diversity of tick species biting humans in an emerging area for Lyme disease.

“…12 As many as 30% to 70% of nonlarval deer ticks in these areas may be infected with Borrelia burgdorferi. [3][4][5][6] Because unrecognized Lyme disease can have severe consequences, many physicians in high-prevalence areas routinely treat patients with a recent history of a tick bite with oral antibiotics in an attempt to prevent the development of infection. One double-blind placebo-controlled study of this practice failed to demonstrate a clear benefit with treatment, even though all study participants were bitten by I. dammini and tick infection rates were 30%.…”

Infection of Field-Collected Ixodes ricinus (Acari: Ixodidae) Larvae with Borrelia burgdorferi in Switzerland

“…dammini (= 7. scapularis Say Spielman, Clifford, Piesman & Corwin [Oliver et al 1993]) (Bosler et al 1983, Piesman et al 1986, Magnarelli et al 1987, /. scapularis (Magnarelli et al 1986), and Ixodes pacificus Cooley & Kohls (Burgdorfer et al 1985, Lane & Burgdorfer 1987, Schoeler & Lane 1993 have shown very low rates of passage of B. burgdorferi from infected females to their progeny (<3%). However, in Europe the transovarial transmission of B. burgdorferi in 7. ricinus is less well known , Stanek et al 1986.…”