The Southern Expansion of Lyme Disease: Examining Pathogen Dynamics in Southwestern Virginia
Event Type
Research Presentation
Academic Department
Biology
Location
Dana Science Building, 2nd floor
Start Date
26-4-2024 1:30 PM
End Date
26-4-2024 3:00 PM
Description
Under the direction of Dr. Elizabeth Gleim
Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne pathogen in the United States, with an estimated 476,000 cases occurring annually. In the United States, Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto (s.s.) which is vectored by the tick, Ixodes scapularis. Historically, Lyme disease has not been common in Virginia. However, there has been an increase in Lyme disease cases in western Virginia for the past 15 years that is associated with a southern expansion of Lyme disease. This study is working to determine the prevalence and common strain types of B. burgdorferi s.s. in I. scapularis collected in southwestern Virginia. Two hundred and ninety-one I. scapularis nymphs and 99 I. scapularis adults were tested. In nymphs, pathogen prevalence was 3.8%, whereas, the adult pathogen prevalence was 36.4%. While the pathogen prevalence in nymphs is relatively low compared to other northeastern states, the adult pathogen prevalence is similar to the pathogen prevalence of other northeastern states. Overall, this likely indicates that Virginia is transitioning towards the pathogen establishing an endemic, sylvatic cycle. Work is currently underway to begin strain typing positive B. burgdorferi s.s samples.
The Southern Expansion of Lyme Disease: Examining Pathogen Dynamics in Southwestern Virginia
Dana Science Building, 2nd floor
Under the direction of Dr. Elizabeth Gleim
Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne pathogen in the United States, with an estimated 476,000 cases occurring annually. In the United States, Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto (s.s.) which is vectored by the tick, Ixodes scapularis. Historically, Lyme disease has not been common in Virginia. However, there has been an increase in Lyme disease cases in western Virginia for the past 15 years that is associated with a southern expansion of Lyme disease. This study is working to determine the prevalence and common strain types of B. burgdorferi s.s. in I. scapularis collected in southwestern Virginia. Two hundred and ninety-one I. scapularis nymphs and 99 I. scapularis adults were tested. In nymphs, pathogen prevalence was 3.8%, whereas, the adult pathogen prevalence was 36.4%. While the pathogen prevalence in nymphs is relatively low compared to other northeastern states, the adult pathogen prevalence is similar to the pathogen prevalence of other northeastern states. Overall, this likely indicates that Virginia is transitioning towards the pathogen establishing an endemic, sylvatic cycle. Work is currently underway to begin strain typing positive B. burgdorferi s.s samples.