Diversity and distribution of the tick-borne relapsing fever spirochete Borrelia turicatae.

ABSTRACT: Borrelia turicatae is a causative agent of tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF) in the subtropics and tropics of the United States and Latin America. Historically, B. turicatae was thought to be maintained in enzootic cycles in rural areas. However, there is growing evidence that suggests the pathogen has established endemic foci in densely populated regions of Texas. With the growth of homelessness in the state and human activity in city parks, it was important to implement field collection efforts to identify areas where B. turicatae and its vector circulate. Between 2017 and 2020 we collected Ornithodoros turicata ticks in suburban and urban areas including public and private parks and recreational spaces. Ticks were fed on naïve mice and spirochetes were isolated from the blood. Multilocu

SUBMITTER: Krishnavajhala A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8651100 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature