A state-by-state survey of ticks recorded from humans in the United States.
Merten HA, Durden LA.
Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro 30460, USA.
Based on tick specimens accessioned into the U.S. National Tick Collection, the species of ticks recorded as ectoparasites of humans are documented and compared for 49 U.S. states. A total of 44 tick species was recorded as parasites of humans, consisting of 11 species of soft ticks (Argasidae) and 33 species of hard ticks (Ixodidae). Four of the hard tick species are not native to the U.S. and were removed from travelers returning from foreign destinations. Therefore, we record 40 of the 84 species of U.S. ticks as ectoparasites of humans. Predictably, in the southern U.S. and Atlantic states, all active stages of the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum (L.), were common ectoparasites of humans. Also, in the eastern U.S., adults of the American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis (Say), and all active stages (especially adults) of the blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis (Say), were commonly recorded. In certain Rocky Mountain and western states, all active stages of the Rocky Mountain wood tick, Dermacentor andersoni (Stiles), predominated, whereas, in most far western states, adults of the western blacklegged tick, Ixodes pacificus Cooley and Kohls, were relatively common parasites of humans. Parasitism by Ornithodoros spp. soft ticks was mainly recorded in the western U.S. These findings, together with records of human parasitism by other tick species in the U.S., are briefly discussed with respect to tick-borne disease risk.
PMID: 10925803 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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valymemom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7076
posted
lou
I have been reading this evening about the increase in infected tick populations in forest fragments....suburbs and cities.....due to fewer predators for the small mammals.
A local friend (formally of CA) insists that ticks are only in deciduous forests, not evergreen, and in my reading I couldn't find a good paper/info to send her.
If you come across an article....post or send it to me.
Posts: 1240 | From Centreville,VA | Registered: Mar 2005
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posted
Ticks don't like evergreen forests???? Doubt this. It really depends more on whether the mice and other reservoir species inhabit those forests, which they surely do. Somewhere I remember seeing a study in PA that showed a higher count of white footed mice or some such thing in hemlock dominated areas. These are evergreens, although currently dying out because of an imported pest bug.
Don't have any idea where to look for this article. If I come across it, will let you know.
In the meantime, I think you can assume your friend is misinformed on this question. Can't stroll around among the pines and think you are safe from lyme!
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Actually, this turned out easier than I thought it would be to find:
J Clin Microbiol. 1994 Oct;32(10):2501-4.
Distribution of Borrelia burgdorferi in host mice in Pennsylvania.
Lord RD, Lord VR, Humphreys JG, McLean RG.
Biology Department, Indiana University of Pennsylvania 15705.
Host mice (Peromyscus leucopus and Peromyscus maniculatus) were sampled throughout the state of Pennsylvania to determine the geographical and ecological distribution of the Lyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi. All 67 counties of the state were sampled. A total of 1,619 mice were captured from a total of 157 sites during the period 1990 to 1993 for an overall capture rate of 29.69%. A total of 112 (6.92%) isolations of B. burgdorferi were made. The distribution of isolations revealed the reason for the correlated distribution of human cases of Lyme disease in the state. Significantly more mice were captured and significantly more isolations were made from hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) habitat than from deciduous species forest. Nevertheless, high isolation rates from counties of the southeastern corner of the state illustrate well that hemlock habitat is not essential. Evidence suggests that in some areas, transmission between mice is occurring in some way other than through ticks as vectors. Host mice proved useful for determining the geographical and ecological distribution of B. burgdorferi.
PMID: 7814489 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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valymemom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7076
posted
Thanks, lou.....I know I can count on you to find the research. I will copy and send this to her.
Posts: 1240 | From Centreville,VA | Registered: Mar 2005
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