Investagation of Incidence of Small Mammal & Pathogen Interaction of A. phagocytophilum, B. microti, and B. burgdorferi
Conference Year
2024
Abstract
In recent years, Vermont has seen a steady rise in tick-borne diseases as ticks have increased their range and feeding periods. Warmer winters and longer warm seasons allow ticks to survive year-round, as well as increasing survivorship of important reservoir host species for tick-borne pathogens, such as Peromyscus leucopus. The purpose of this study is to screen various mammals found in the Northeast for incidence of infection with Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia microti, and Borrelia burgdorferi to examine the relationship between the vector and various hosts, as well as examining reservoir competence of the different mammal species.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
Ellen Martinsen
Graduate Student Mentors
Lauren Berkley, Ericka Griggs
Status
Undergraduate
Student College
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Program/Major
Biological Sciences, Integrated
Primary Research Category
Life Sciences
Investagation of Incidence of Small Mammal & Pathogen Interaction of A. phagocytophilum, B. microti, and B. burgdorferi
In recent years, Vermont has seen a steady rise in tick-borne diseases as ticks have increased their range and feeding periods. Warmer winters and longer warm seasons allow ticks to survive year-round, as well as increasing survivorship of important reservoir host species for tick-borne pathogens, such as Peromyscus leucopus. The purpose of this study is to screen various mammals found in the Northeast for incidence of infection with Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia microti, and Borrelia burgdorferi to examine the relationship between the vector and various hosts, as well as examining reservoir competence of the different mammal species.