Detection of Borrelia Genomospecies 2 in Ixodes spinipalpis Ticks Collected from a Rabbit in Canada

Author:

Scott, JD, Clark, KL, Foley, JE, Anderson, JF, Durden, LA, Manord, JM, and Smith, ML

Publication type:

Journal Article

Publication date:

2017-02

Journal/Series title:

J Parasitol.

Volume:

103

Issue:

URL:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27835071

Abstract:

In the present study, we provide the first records of the western blacklegged tick, Ixodes pacificus, and Ixodes spinipalpis parasitizing eastern cottontails, Sylvilagus floridanus. Like some other borrelial strains, Borrelia genomospecies 2 can be missed by current Lyme disease serology. Health-care providers must be aware that Borrelia genomospecies 2 is present in I. pacificus and I. spinipalpis ticks in far-western North America, and patients with clinical symptoms of Lyme disease need to be assessed for potential infection with this pathogen.