Prevalence of Ehrlichia chaffeensis and Ehrlichia ewingii in Amblyomma americanum and Dermacentor variabilis collected from southeastern Virginia, 2010-2011

Abstract

Amblyomma americanum is the most commonly encountered tick species in southeastern Virginia, representing approximately 95% of the human-biting tick population in this area. Here we investigated the prevalence of Ehrlichia chaffeensis and Ehrlichia ewingii in questing Amblyomma americanum and Dermacentor variabilis ticks collected from multiple sites in southeastern Virginia from 2010 to 2011. Although both Ehrlichia species were detected in Amblyomma americanum, no evidence of either pathogen was found in Dermacentor variabilis. Prevalence of E. chaffeensis varied by location, ranging from 0 to 5.08% among Amblyomma americanum populations. Ehrlichia ewingii prevalence was slightly higher, ranging from 0 to 8.20% among A. americanum populations. We conclude that both pathogens are established in southeastern Virginia A. americanum populations, and that although there are no apparent temporal trends in Ehrlichia prevalence, there is variation among locations, suggesting the potential for disease hotspots.

Keywords: Amblyomma americanum; Dermacentor variabilis; Ehrlichia chaffeensis; Ehrlichia ewingii.