Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia microti, and Borrelia burgdorferi in Vermont Ticks and Mammals
Conference Year
2024
Abstract
Many vector-borne, zoonotic diseases pose a great risk to human, animal, and environmental health. Tick-borne diseases specifically have been on the rise as global warming influences the movement and distribution of tick hosts. The objective of this study is to investigate the role of vector density and habitat factors on infection prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia microti, and Borrelia burgdorferi within their prominent reservoir host, Peromyscus leucopus, and vector, Ixodes scupularis. This study also aims to address the interplay of these disease agents in coinfection prevalence within the reservoir and vector hosts.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
Ellen Martinsen
Status
Undergraduate
Student College
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Program/Major
Animal Science
Primary Research Category
Life Sciences
Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia microti, and Borrelia burgdorferi in Vermont Ticks and Mammals
Many vector-borne, zoonotic diseases pose a great risk to human, animal, and environmental health. Tick-borne diseases specifically have been on the rise as global warming influences the movement and distribution of tick hosts. The objective of this study is to investigate the role of vector density and habitat factors on infection prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia microti, and Borrelia burgdorferi within their prominent reservoir host, Peromyscus leucopus, and vector, Ixodes scupularis. This study also aims to address the interplay of these disease agents in coinfection prevalence within the reservoir and vector hosts.