Borrelia Burgdorferi Prevalence in Nymphal Ixodes Scapularis Across Delaware
| Author(s) | Shifflett, Scarlet A. | |
| Date Accessioned | 2022-05-16T16:29:12Z | |
| Date Available | 2022-05-16T16:29:12Z | |
| Publication Date | 2021-05 | |
| Abstract | We performed a PCR protocol on 111 Ixodes scapularis nymphal ticks to identify Borrelia burgdorferi infections. The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control collected tick samples throughout New Castle, Kent, and Sussex County in the state of Delaware with the goal of calculating B. burgdorferi prevalence at each collection site. We found that the state of Delaware has an overall 27.03% prevalence of B. burgdorferi in I. scapularis ticks. I. scapularis is the main vector for B. burgdorferi in the northeastern United States and so sampling its population is crucial to gain a better understanding of the ecology of the bacterium. The PCR we used targeted the variable outer surface protein C locus. Future sequencing of this PCR amplicon will allow us to distinguish specific B. burgdorferi genotypes. Some B. burgdorferi genotypes appear more likely to infect humans than others. Identifying genotypes known to cause infection in humans may lead to us more accurately assesses the human risk of Lyme disease in Delaware. | en_US |
| Advisor | Vicenzo Ellis | |
| Program | Wildlife Ecology and Conservation | |
| URL | https://udspace.udel.edu/handle/19716/30872 | |
| Publisher | University of Delaware | en_US |
| Keywords | Borrelia burgdorferi | en_US |
| Keywords | Ixodes scapularis | en_US |
| Keywords | PCR | en_US |
| Keywords | Lyme disease | en_US |
| Keywords | Ticks | en_US |
| Title | Borrelia Burgdorferi Prevalence in Nymphal Ixodes Scapularis Across Delaware | en_US |
| Type | Thesis | en_US |