Note on Ehrlichia chaffeensis, Ehrlichia ewingii, and "Borrelia lonestari" infection in lone star ticks (Acari: Ixodidae), Nebraska, USA

Ticks Tick Borne Dis. 2016 Feb;7(1):154-158. doi: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2015.10.008. Epub 2015 Oct 19.

Abstract

The lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum (L.) (Acari: Ixodidae), is established in southeastern Nebraska yet the prevalence of tick-associated microorganisms is not known. An initial PCR-based analysis for Ehrlichia chaffeensis, Ehrlichia ewingii, and Borrelia infection in host-seeking adult ticks collected in southeast Nebraska was conducted. A total of 251 adult ticks collected in six sites in southeast Nebraska were tested. E. chaffeensis, E. ewingii, and Borrelia spp. were present, and the prevalence of each was approximately 1.6%. This study demonstrates that Ehrlichia spp. are present in Nebraska lone star tick populations.

Keywords: Ehrlichia; Nebraska; Tick-borne microorganisms; Ticks.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Borrelia / isolation & purification
  • Borrelia / physiology*
  • Ehrlichia / isolation & purification
  • Ehrlichia / physiology*
  • Ehrlichia chaffeensis / isolation & purification
  • Ehrlichia chaffeensis / physiology*
  • Female
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions
  • Ixodidae / microbiology*
  • Male
  • Nebraska
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods