Genetic diversity of Borrelia garinii from Ixodes uriae collected in seabird colonies of the northwestern Atlantic Ocean

Author:

Munro, HJ, Ogden, NH, Mechai, S, Lindsay, LR, Robertson, GJ, Whitney, H, and Lang, AS

Publication type:

Journal Article

Publication date:

2019-06

Journal/Series title:

Ticks Tick Borne Dis

Volume:

S1877-959X

Issue:

URL:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1877959X18305132?via%3Dih...

Abstract:

Our findings highlight the genetic complexity of B. garinii circulating in seabird ticks and their avian hosts but also demonstrate surprisingly close connections between B. garinii in this ecosystem and terrestrial sources in Eurasia. Genetic similarities among B. garinii from seabird ticks and humans indicate the possibility that B. garinii circulating within seabird tick-avian host transmission cycles could directly, or indirectly via connectivity with terrestrial transmission cycles, have consequences for human health.