Established Population of the Gulf Coast Tick, Amblyomma maculatum (Acari: Ixodidae), Infected with Rickettsia parkeri (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae), in Connecticut

J Med Entomol. 2021 May 15;58(3):1459-1462. doi: 10.1093/jme/tjaa299.

Abstract

We identified an established population of the Gulf Coast tick (Amblyomma maculatum Koch) infected with Rickettsia parkeri in Connecticut, representing the northernmost range limit of this medically relevant tick species. Our finding highlights the importance of tick surveillance and public health challenges posed by geographic expansion of tick vectors and their pathogens.

Keywords: Amblyomma maculatum; Rickettsia parkeri; Gulf Coast tick; passive tick surveillance; range expansion.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amblyomma / growth & development
  • Amblyomma / microbiology*
  • Animal Distribution
  • Animals
  • Arachnid Vectors / growth & development
  • Arachnid Vectors / microbiology*
  • Connecticut
  • Female
  • Larva / growth & development
  • Larva / microbiology
  • Male
  • Nymph / growth & development
  • Nymph / microbiology
  • Rickettsia / isolation & purification*

Supplementary concepts

  • Rickettsia parkeri