To cite this paper: Ellen Y. Stromdahl, Mary A. Vince, Peggy M. Billingsley, Nicole A. Dobbs, Phillip C. Williamson. Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases. February 1, 2008, 8(1): 15-24. doi:10.1089/vbz.2007.0138.
Polymerase chain reaction analysis of Amblyomma americanum adults, nymphs, and larvae from Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD (APG), revealed a very high prevalence of a spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsia.
Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and sequence analysis identified ``Rickettsia amblyommii.''
This organism is not yet described or well studied, and its pathogenicity is unknown; however, investigations of the organism are warranted because of its high prevalence in A. americanum.
This tick is extremely abundant at military training facilities in the south, central, and Mid-Atlantic United States, and many soldiers experience multiple concurrent tick bites.
Bites by R. amblyommii-infected A. americanum may account for rates of SFG rickettsia seropositivity that are higher than reported rates of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) cases from the same location.
Seroconversion to SFG rickettsia following bites of A. americanum may suggest that R. amblyommii is infectious in humans.
Subclinical infection in the numerous A. americanum tick bite victims could contaminate donated blood and compromise immunodeficient recipients.
Detection of R. amblyommii in questing A. americanum larvae suggests transovarial transmission. The absence of R. rickettsii, the agent of RMSF, in A. americanum may be due to transovarial interference by R. amblyommii.
The likelihood of pathogen transmission by larvae is magnified by their habit of mass attack. The very small size of the larvae is also a risk factor for pathogen transmission.
High R. amblyommii prevalence in populations of A. americanum presage co-infection with other A. americanum-borne pathogens. A. americanum nymphs and adults from APG were found to be co-infected with R. amblyommii and Borrelia lonestari, Ehrlichia chaffeensis and Ehrlichia ewingii, respectively, and larval pools were infected with both R. amblyommii and B. lonestari.
Co-infections can compound effects and complicate diagnosis of tick-borne disease.
AliG
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9734
posted
Excellent find, Looking!
Thanks for posting this!!!!
-------------------- Note: I'm NOT a medical professional. The information I share is from my own personal research and experience. Please do not construe anything I share as medical advice, which should only be obtained from a licensed medical practitioner. Posts: 4881 | From Middlesex County, NJ | Registered: Jul 2006
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posted
Bartonella has also been found in this tick.
Posts: 8430 | From Not available | Registered: Oct 2000
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map1131
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2022
posted
Interesting reading Looking. Doesn't surprise me though. I was attacked by 12 chiggers (? deer tick nymphs) in summer '99 at our lake home.
It's pretty close to Fort Knox, maybe 25 miles. In fact Fort Knox, when we owned this lake home for several years used to use this lake as training station.
They were all the time flying over and by our lake front property. Wouldn't surprise me if they were holding more than GOLD at this army post.
I already have read where the state of KY was kind enough to allow one of our New England states transport their over abundance of wild turkeys to our state wildlife and lakes etc. I can't remember the years listed in this story.
But I do remember that it was prior to my lake bites and attacks by ticks & whatever.
Got me angry just posting this Looking. Most are so clueless about this serious vector borne illnesses. Maybe they should live it?
Pam
-------------------- "Never, never, never, never, never give up" Winston Churchill Posts: 6478 | From Louisville, Ky | Registered: Jan 2002
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
so this is the post that tincup copies, and sent to us thru regular email; thanks looking!
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