Zoonotic Pathogens in<i>Ixodes scapularis</i>, Michigan

Hamer, Sarah A.; Roy, Pamela L.; Hickling, Graham J.; Walker, Edward D.; Foster, Erik; Barber, Christina C.; Tsao, Jean I.

doi:10.3201/eid1307.070046

Cited by 29 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 8 publications

(9 reference statements)

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“…For example, in 2002, a new population of I. scapularis was detected in the southwestern corner of Michigan's Lower Peninsula (17). These ticks subsequently invaded north through coastal dune forests along the Lake Michigan lakeshore (23,24). In tracking this range expansion over a 5-year sampling period, we have documented the presence of multiple strains of B. burgdorferi not only in recently invaded I. scapularis ticks and their rodent hosts but also in other tick and wildlife species prior to the arrival of I. scapularis.…”

mentioning

confidence: 92%

“…To increase our search intensity for locally established I. scapularis, we sampled the small mammal community with a particular focus on white-footed mice and eastern chipmunks, as these are the most sensitive indicators of low-density I. scapularis in lower Michigan (24). To validate our sampling methods, we also trapped mammals 90 km due west of Pitsfield at Van Buren State Park (South Haven, MI), where I. scapularis was known to be established (23). Both areas were sampled in May and June, when I. scapularis larvae and nymphs are active simultaneously (17).…”

Section: Bird Mist Nettingmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Diverse Borrelia burgdorferi Strains in a Bird-Tick Cryptic Cycle

Hamer

Hickling

Sidge

et al. 2011

Appl Environ Microbiol

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The blacklegged tick Ixodes scapularis is the primary vector of the most prevalent vector-borne zoonosis in North America, Lyme disease (LD). Enzootic maintenance of the pathogen Borrelia burgdorferi by I. scapularis and small mammals is well documented, whereas its "cryptic" maintenance by other specialist ticks and wildlife hosts remains largely unexplored because these ticks rarely bite humans. We quantified B. burgdorferi infection in a cryptic bird-rabbit-tick cycle. Furthermore, we explored the role of birds in maintaining and moving B. burgdorferi strains by comparing their genetic diversity in this cryptic cycle to that found in cycles vectored by I. scapularis. We examined birds, rabbits, and small mammals for ticks and infection over a 4-year period at a focal site in Michigan, 90 km east of a zone of I. scapularis invasion. We mist netted 19,631 birds that yielded 12,301 ticks, of which 86% were I. dentatus, a bird-rabbit specialist. No resident wildlife harbored I. scapularis, and yet 3.5% of bird-derived ticks, 3.6% of rabbit-derived ticks, and 20% of rabbit ear biopsy specimens were infected with B. burgdorferi. We identified 25 closely related B. burgdorferi strains using an rRNA gene intergenic spacer marker, the majority (68%) of which had not been reported previously. The presence of strains common to both cryptic and endemic cycles strongly implies bird-mediated dispersal. Given continued large-scale expansion of I. scapularis populations, we predict that its invasion into zones of cryptic transmission will allow for bridging of novel pathogen strains to humans and animals.

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confidence: 92%

Section: Bird Mist Nettingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diverse Borrelia burgdorferi Strains in a Bird-Tick Cryptic Cycle

Hamer

Hickling

Sidge

et al. 2011

Appl Environ Microbiol

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“…Typically the prevalence of these agents is much lower than B. burgdorferi (Varde et al 1998;Holman et al 2004;Kogut et al 2005;Brackney et al 2008) and these agents may be absent from some blacklegged tick populations. For example, B. microti was not detected in selected tick populations in Maryland (Swanson and Norris 2007) and Michigan (Hamer et al 2007). Further study is required to determine the extent to which these pathogens are present in blacklegged ticks in Canada, though it is possible that bird-borne I. scapularis, infected with these agents, could cause locally acquired infections among Canadians (Ogden et al 2008c).…”

Section: Ixodes (Ixodes) Scapularis Saymentioning

confidence: 99%

The Biological Survey of Canada: A Personal History

Danks¹

2017

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“…A long the borders of the northeastern and the upper midwestern United States, black-legged ticks (Ixodes scapularis) are invading new areas (1)(2)(3). Because this tick is the principal vector of a number of human pathogens, defi ning and monitoring its possible expansion are imperative.…”

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confidence: 99%