Small Mammals as reservoir hosts for the novel vector-borne pathogen Babesia odocoilei
Conference Year
2024
Abstract
In recent years, concern has risen over vector-borne diseases, especially in the northeastern US. Babesiosis, typically caused by Babesia microti, was recently found to also be caused by Babesia odocoilei. We don't know if small mammals serve as reservoirs for B. odocoilei as they do for other tick-borne pathogens. Small mammal tissue samples were obtained from specimens in the Thompson Zoological Collections at UVM. The samples were screened for B. odococoilei using PCR. Findings are currently inconclusive as the project is ongoing. We must gain a better understanding of this pathogen in order to curb the spread of Babesiosis.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
Ellen Martinsen
Graduate Student Mentors
Lauren Berkley
Status
Undergraduate
Student College
College of Arts and Sciences
Program/Major
Biological Sciences, Integrated
Primary Research Category
Life Sciences
Small Mammals as reservoir hosts for the novel vector-borne pathogen Babesia odocoilei
In recent years, concern has risen over vector-borne diseases, especially in the northeastern US. Babesiosis, typically caused by Babesia microti, was recently found to also be caused by Babesia odocoilei. We don't know if small mammals serve as reservoirs for B. odocoilei as they do for other tick-borne pathogens. Small mammal tissue samples were obtained from specimens in the Thompson Zoological Collections at UVM. The samples were screened for B. odococoilei using PCR. Findings are currently inconclusive as the project is ongoing. We must gain a better understanding of this pathogen in order to curb the spread of Babesiosis.