Ecological interactions driving population dynamics of two tick-borne pathogens, Borrelia burgdorferi and Babesia microti.

ABSTRACT: Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb) and Babesia microti (Bm) are vector-borne zoonotic pathogens commonly found co-circulating in Ixodes scapularis and Peromyscus leucopus populations. The restricted distribution and lower prevalence of Bm has been historically attributed to lower host-to-tick transmission efficiency and limited host ranges. We hypothesized that prevalence patterns are driven by coinfection dynamics and vertical transmission. We use a multi-year, multiple location, longitudinal dataset with mathematical modelling to elucidate coinfection dynamics between Bb and Bm in natural populations of P. leucopus, the most competent reservoir host for both pathogens in the eastern USA. Our analyses indicate that, in the absen

SUBMITTER: Tufts DM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10291726 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature