Binghamton Research Days Student Presentations
Prevalence of Human Pathogens in Ixodes Scapularis Ticks of Southern Tier, NY
Prevalence of Human Pathogens in Ixodes Scapularis Ticks of Southern Tier, NY
Authors: Janell Atkins, Robert Johnson, Louis Glickman, Jessica Tampori, Jack Hirsch, Vincent Lam, Ralph Garruto, Michel Shamoon-Pour
Authors: Janell Atkins, Robert Johnson, Louis Glickman, Jessica Tampori, Jack Hirsch, Vincent Lam, Ralph Garruto, Michel Shamoon-Pour
Field of Study: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math
Field of Study: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math
Affiliation: Tick-borne Disease Research Center
Affiliation: Tick-borne Disease Research Center
Mentor: Ralph Garruto, Anthropology; Michel Shamoon-Pour, First-year Research Immersion Program
Mentor: Ralph Garruto, Anthropology; Michel Shamoon-Pour, First-year Research Immersion Program
Abstract
Abstract
Tick-borne diseases have become a major public health concern in the Northeastern U.S., as incidence rates have become increasingly more significant each year. Ixodes scapularis is the most common species of tick vector in the Southern Tier of New York, known to spread Anaplasma Phagocytophilum, Babesia Microti, Borrelia Burgdorferi, Borrelia Miyamotoi and several other pathogens. The objectives of this project are to explore the ecological risk of tick-borne diseases and understand how certain geospatial factors can contribute to the prevalence of these diseases. To determine the prevalence of these four particular pathogens in the Southern Tier, ticks were collected from surrounding counties between 2017-2022. DNA was extracted from the tick samples and tested for the four pathogens using qPCR technique. Laboratory testing is underway, and results will determine the development of public health strategies to minimize risk of infection at the individual, household, neighborhood and community levels.
Tick-borne diseases have become a major public health concern in the Northeastern U.S., as incidence rates have become increasingly more significant each year. Ixodes scapularis is the most common species of tick vector in the Southern Tier of New York, known to spread Anaplasma Phagocytophilum, Babesia Microti, Borrelia Burgdorferi, Borrelia Miyamotoi and several other pathogens. The objectives of this project are to explore the ecological risk of tick-borne diseases and understand how certain geospatial factors can contribute to the prevalence of these diseases. To determine the prevalence of these four particular pathogens in the Southern Tier, ticks were collected from surrounding counties between 2017-2022. DNA was extracted from the tick samples and tested for the four pathogens using qPCR technique. Laboratory testing is underway, and results will determine the development of public health strategies to minimize risk of infection at the individual, household, neighborhood and community levels.