Ticks and antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi from mammals at Cape Hatteras, NC and Assateague Island, MD and VA.

This research article presents a study on ticks and the antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi, a bacterium related to Lyme disease, found in 14 species of mammals living in Cape Hatteras, NC, and Assateague Island, MD and VA. The study, conducted from July 1987 to June 1989, found that all the tested species hosted antibodies to the bacterium, supporting the idea that white-footed mice can act as an indicator species for the presence of Borrelia burgdorferi.

Methodology

• The study covered 14 species of mammals, covering a range from small animals like opossums and mice to larger ones like deer and horses. The study was mainly carried out in coastal areas of America, namely Cape Hatteras in North Carolina and Assateague Island that splits between Maryland and Virginia.
• Two tests were used to find antibodies to B. burgdorferi in the mammals. The indirect fluorescent antibody test was used for opossums, raccoons, and feral cats, while the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used for foxes, horses, deer, and house and white-footed mice.

Findings

• It was found that antibodies to B. burgdorferi were present in all species from every location. This highlights the widespread nature of this bacteria among the animal population.
• White-footed mice were found to be especially reliable indicators for the presence of B. burgdorferi due to the high seropositivity rate recorded for this species.
• The ticks found on these hosts include Ixodes scapularis, I. texanus, Dermacentor variabilis, D. albipictus, and Amblyomma americanum. The study provides detailed statistics on the presence of different species of ticks on these hosts, contributing to knowledge of wildlife–tick dynamics in these areas.

Implications

• The research provides valuable information on ticks and the occurrence of B. burgdorferi in various species of mammals in these coastal areas. This can contribute to better management of wildlife and ticks in these areas, and highlights the relevance of results to human health and Lyme disease prevention efforts.
• This study also strengthens the argument that white-footed mice can be used as a sentinel species to indicate the presence of B. burgdorferi; this could be an important tool for regularly monitoring and managing Lyme disease risk.