Lauren P Maestas | University of South Dakota (original) (raw)

Papers by Lauren P Maestas

Southwestern Entomologist

We report the multi-year collection of the Gulf Coast tick, Amblyomma maculatum Koch (Acaridae: I... more We report the multi-year collection of the Gulf Coast tick, Amblyomma maculatum Koch (Acaridae: Ixodida: Ixodidae) in Staten Island, New York City (NYC) as well as their detection in Brooklyn, NYC, and in Atlantic and Cumberland counties in southern NJ, USA. The first detections on all sites were of adults but in Freshkills Park on Staten Island larvae were collected in a following year. Based on known observations on birds of this tick species, it is likely A. maculatum are expanding north on migratory birds, which are now often seen in Freshkills Park. The presence of larvae indicates that adults are being successful at finding hosts in Staten Island. We describe the landscape features of the area in Staten Island where populations were highest and larvae were detected, which could have facilitated the establishment of A. maculatum. Notably, we also report the presence of human pathogens Rickettsia parkeri in 5/10 (50%) of adults tested and R. felis in 1/24 (4.17%) of larvae teste...

The scope of literature concerning tick-borne disease in South Dakota (SD) is limited primarily t... more The scope of literature concerning tick-borne disease in South Dakota (SD) is limited primarily to case reports by public health officials. Published records of ticks occurring in the state are scarce and are mostly limited to reports of ticks opportunistically collected from wildlife, with little focus on surveillance for ticks themselves or potential pathogens. There exists only one published record with a compilation of the ticks of South Dakota (1983). Here, the current literature on the ticks of South Dakota, the pathogens they may carry, and their relevance and history in South Dakota are reviewed. Three new tick species documented in the state since the last publication are included herein, bringing the total number of tick species in the state to 21. I review and update past reports to include new county records and identification of pathogens previously undetected in the state and include some information on ongoing research involving ticks and tick-borne disease in the sta...

PLOS Biology, 2021

Lyme disease is common in the northeastern United States, but rare in the southeast, even though ... more Lyme disease is common in the northeastern United States, but rare in the southeast, even though the tick vector is found in both regions. Infection prevalence of Lyme spirochetes in host-seeking ticks, an important component to the risk of Lyme disease, is also high in the northeast and northern midwest, but declines sharply in the south. As ticks must acquire Lyme spirochetes from infected vertebrate hosts, the role of wildlife species composition on Lyme disease risk has been a topic of lively academic discussion. We compared tick–vertebrate host interactions using standardized sampling methods among 8 sites scattered throughout the eastern US. Geographical trends in diversity of tick hosts are gradual and do not match the sharp decline in prevalence at southern sites, but tick–host associations show a clear shift from mammals in the north to reptiles in the south. Tick infection prevalence declines north to south largely because of high tick infestation of efficient spirochete r...

Zoonoses and Public Health, 2020

Established populations of Asian longhorned ticks (ALT), Haemaphysalis longicornis, were first id... more Established populations of Asian longhorned ticks (ALT), Haemaphysalis longicornis, were first identified in the United States (US) in 2017 by sequencing the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox1) ‘barcoding’ locus followed by morphological confirmation. Subsequent investigations detected ALT infestations in 12, mostly eastern, US states. To gain information on the origin and spread of US ALT, we (1) sequenced cox1 from ALT populations across 9 US states and (2) obtained cox1 sequences from potential source populations [China, Japan and Republic of Korea (ROK) as well as Australia, New Zealand and the Kingdom of Tonga (KOT)] both by sequencing and by downloading publicly available sequences in NCBI GenBank. Additionally, we conducted epidemiological investigations of properties near its initial detection locale in Hunterdon County, NJ, as well as a broader risk analysis for importation of ectoparasites into the area. In eastern Asian populations (China/Japan/ROK), we detected 35 cox1 haplotypes that neatly clustered into two clades with known bisexual versus parthenogenetic phenotypes. In Australia/New Zealand/KOT, we detected 10 cox1 haplotypes all falling within the parthenogenetic cluster. In the United States, we detected three differentially distributed cox1 haplotypes from the parthenogenetic cluster, supporting phenotypic evidence that US ALT are parthenogenetic. While none of the source populations examined had all three US cox1 haplotypes, a phylogeographic network analysis supports a northeast Asian source for the US populations. Within the United States, epidemiological investigations indicate ALT can be moved long distances by human transport of animals, such as horses and dogs, with smaller scale movements on wildlife. These results have relevant implications for efforts aimed at minimizing the spread of ALT in the United States and preventing additional exotic tick introductions.

Northeastern Naturalist, 2020

Abstract Haemaphysalis longicornis (Asian Longhorned Tick [ALT]) was first recognized in the US, ... more Abstract Haemaphysalis longicornis (Asian Longhorned Tick [ALT]) was first recognized in the US, outside of customs, in New Jersey in 2017, and now has been documented in 2 Delaware counties. In Asia, where this species is native, and other parts of the world, the ALT is a known or suspected vector of various pathogens to humans, wildlife, and livestock. The ALT's role as a pest of medical and veterinary concern highlights its potential to become an economic burden in the US. The detection of ALT in the eastern US has prompted an initiative to identify and monitor its establishment and spread. Delaware is now the twelfth US state where ALT has been documented. The continued monitoring of this species is of great importance to the agricultural and public health communities.

Journal of Medical Entomology, 2020

Amblyomma maculatum Koch is the primary vector of Rickettsia parkeri, the etiologic agent of tide... more Amblyomma maculatum Koch is the primary vector of Rickettsia parkeri, the etiologic agent of tidewater spotted fever, and can also carry and transmit a variety of other pathogens. This tick historically has been a costly nuisance to livestock owners in the southeastern United States. Over the past 6 yr, A. maculatum has been collected in numbers sufficient to demonstrate their establishment in Kent County, Delaware, and the presence of R. parkeri has been documented. Our goals were to determine the geographic distribution of A. maculatum and R. parkeri in Delaware, and to equate this to relative risk to the public of encountering R. parkeri-infected ticks. We surveyed for ticks in four locations throughout the state from May to August 2019, and found established A. maculatum populations in all three counties. Laboratory analysis of collected specimens by quantitative polymerase chain reaction detected R. parkeri in A. maculatum populations across the state. These results indicate th...

Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases, 2019

Sylvatic plague affects many species in North American prairie ecosystems. Deltamethrin is common... more Sylvatic plague affects many species in North American prairie ecosystems. Deltamethrin is commonly used to manage fleas in potential outbreak areas. Understanding the role of small mammals and their ectoparasites in sylvatic plague maintenance is pertinent to understanding the ecology of plague and its persistence in nature. This study examined the effects of plague management using deltamethrin on communities of small mammals, their flea faunas, and Yersinia pestis prevalence. We trapped small mammals from 2014 to 2016 on the Lower Brule Indian Reservation (LOBR), South Dakota, and analyzed the effects of deltamethrin treatment on small mammal populations, flea loads, and Y. pestis prevalence. We collected higher flea loads from small mammals on sites not treated with deltamethrin (1.10 fleas per animal) than from deltamethrin-treated sites (1.03 fleas per animal). We observed significant negative trends in mean flea load per animal between pre- and post-treatment collections. We detected no significant effects of deltamethrin treatment on animal captures pre- and post-treatment, but observed significant differences in animal captures by experimental unit. We detected no serological evidence for the presence of Y. pestis antibodies in small mammals and 1.2% Y. pestis prevalence across all sampled fleas. Although there is little overlap in the species of fleas infesting small mammals and prairie dogs, the occurrence of flea spillover has been documented. In our study, treatment with deltamethrin reduced flea loads on small mammals by up to 49%. Our data suggest that although the efficacy of deltamethrin on the LOBR-a mixed-grass system-may not be as high as that found in a comparable study in a short-grass system, deltamethrin is still a useful tool in the management of plague.

Journal of medical entomology, Jan 25, 2018

Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) is the principal vector of Borrelia burgdorferi (the etiologi... more Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) is the principal vector of Borrelia burgdorferi (the etiologic agent of Lyme disease) in the eastern and midwestern United States. Recent efforts have documented the first established population of I. scapularis in South Dakota, representing a western expansion of the known species distribution. Our goal was to describe the current distribution of I. scapularis in eastern South Dakota and to survey for the presence of B. burgdorferi in questing I. scapularis. We surveyed for the presence of adult and nymphal I. scapularis in seven counties within South Dakota, including 13 locales from 2016 to 2017. We then tested all I. scapularis, including those collected in 2015 from a previous study, for the presence of B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, via quantitative and conventional polymerase chain reaction. Here, we document the presence of I. scapularis in four new counties in South Dakota, and report the first instance of B. burgdorferi in a questing tick...

Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 2014

We examined 31 free-ranging coyotes (Canis latrans) from central Georgia, USA, for select parasit... more We examined 31 free-ranging coyotes (Canis latrans) from central Georgia, USA, for select parasites and viral agents. Sixteen coyotes had adult heartworms (Dirofilaria immitis). Serum samples from 27 animals revealed antibodies against canine parvovirus (100%), canine distemper virus (48%), canine adenovirus (37%), and Trypanosoma cruzi (7%); none were detected against Leishmania spp. Twenty-two of 24 (92%) coyotes were positive for Toxoplasma gondii. Real-time PCR of feces revealed 32% of coyotes were shedding canine parvovirus, and sequencing revealed type 2b and 2c. Because coyotes could be a spillover host of domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) pathogens, studies of the transmission of pathogens between coyotes and domestic dogs are warranted.

Avian Diseases, 2013

Trichomonas gallinae is a protozoan parasite commonly found in columbids, passerines, and raptors... more Trichomonas gallinae is a protozoan parasite commonly found in columbids, passerines, and raptors. In passerines and columbids, trichomonosis causes significant morbidity and mortality associated with contaminated bird feeders and waters. However, there has been little work on the persistence of T. gallinae in water to determine if artificial waters are a likely source of infection for naive birds. To examine drinking water as a source of T. gallinae transmission, we inoculated 1 x 10(6) trichomonads into containers with 500 ml of either distilled or chlorinated water. In addition, we inoculated the same number of trichomonads in distilled or chlorinated water contaminated with 15 g organic matter. Aliquots of 0.5 ml were collected from each container at 0, 0.5, 1, 5, 10, or 20 min; inoculated into a Trichomonas culture packet; and incubated at 37 C for 6 days. Survival was best in the presence of organic matter, with either distilled or chlorinated water. Uncontaminated chlorinated water did not allow survival at any sampling period.

International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife

Vector borne and zoonotic diseases (Larchmont, N.Y.), 2017

Maintenance of sylvatic plague in prairie dogs (Cynomis spp.) was once thought unlikely due to hi... more Maintenance of sylvatic plague in prairie dogs (Cynomis spp.) was once thought unlikely due to high mortality rates; yet more recent findings indicate that low-level enzootic plague may be maintained in susceptible prairie dog populations. Another hypothesis for the maintenance of sylvatic plague involves small mammals, other than prairie dogs, as an alternative reservoir in the sylvatic plague system. These hypotheses, however, are not mutually exclusive, as both prairie dogs and small mammals could together be driving sylvatic cycles of plague. The concept of a bridging vector has been used to explain the transmission of pathogens from one host species to another. In the case of sylvatic plague, this would require overlap in fleas between small mammals and prairie dogs, and potentially other species such as carnivores. Our goal was to evaluate the level of flea sharing between black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomis ludovicianus) and other small mammals in a mixed-grass prairie in Sout...

Journal of Medical Entomology, 2016

Ixodes scapularis Say (Acari: Ixodidae) is the most important vector of human disease in the Unit... more Ixodes scapularis Say (Acari: Ixodidae) is the most important vector of human disease in the United States. Recent efforts by public health officials to determine its presence on a county-by-county basis have been undertaken to assist in Lyme disease risk assessment. Recent modeling efforts show that South Dakota can potentially support populations of I. scapularis based on favorable climatic conditions and presence of suitable hosts to support tick populations within the state. We provide the first documentation of an established population of I. scapularis in Clay County, SD, providing only the third record of the presence of this tick species within the state.

Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 2014

We examined 31 free-ranging coyotes (Canis latrans) from central Georgia, USA, for select parasit... more We examined 31 free-ranging coyotes (Canis latrans) from central Georgia, USA, for select parasites and viral agents. Sixteen coyotes had adult heartworms (Dirofilaria immitis). Serum samples from 27 animals revealed antibodies against canine parvovirus (100%), canine distemper virus (48%), canine adenovirus (37%), and Trypanosoma cruzi (7%); none were detected against Leishmania spp. Twenty-two of 24 (92%) coyotes were positive for Toxoplasma gondii. Real-time PCR of feces revealed 32% of coyotes were shedding canine parvovirus, and sequencing revealed type 2b and 2c. Because coyotes could be a spillover host of domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) pathogens, studies of the transmission of pathogens between coyotes and domestic dogs are warranted.

Southwestern Entomologist

We report the multi-year collection of the Gulf Coast tick, Amblyomma maculatum Koch (Acaridae: I... more We report the multi-year collection of the Gulf Coast tick, Amblyomma maculatum Koch (Acaridae: Ixodida: Ixodidae) in Staten Island, New York City (NYC) as well as their detection in Brooklyn, NYC, and in Atlantic and Cumberland counties in southern NJ, USA. The first detections on all sites were of adults but in Freshkills Park on Staten Island larvae were collected in a following year. Based on known observations on birds of this tick species, it is likely A. maculatum are expanding north on migratory birds, which are now often seen in Freshkills Park. The presence of larvae indicates that adults are being successful at finding hosts in Staten Island. We describe the landscape features of the area in Staten Island where populations were highest and larvae were detected, which could have facilitated the establishment of A. maculatum. Notably, we also report the presence of human pathogens Rickettsia parkeri in 5/10 (50%) of adults tested and R. felis in 1/24 (4.17%) of larvae teste...

The scope of literature concerning tick-borne disease in South Dakota (SD) is limited primarily t... more The scope of literature concerning tick-borne disease in South Dakota (SD) is limited primarily to case reports by public health officials. Published records of ticks occurring in the state are scarce and are mostly limited to reports of ticks opportunistically collected from wildlife, with little focus on surveillance for ticks themselves or potential pathogens. There exists only one published record with a compilation of the ticks of South Dakota (1983). Here, the current literature on the ticks of South Dakota, the pathogens they may carry, and their relevance and history in South Dakota are reviewed. Three new tick species documented in the state since the last publication are included herein, bringing the total number of tick species in the state to 21. I review and update past reports to include new county records and identification of pathogens previously undetected in the state and include some information on ongoing research involving ticks and tick-borne disease in the sta...

PLOS Biology, 2021

Lyme disease is common in the northeastern United States, but rare in the southeast, even though ... more Lyme disease is common in the northeastern United States, but rare in the southeast, even though the tick vector is found in both regions. Infection prevalence of Lyme spirochetes in host-seeking ticks, an important component to the risk of Lyme disease, is also high in the northeast and northern midwest, but declines sharply in the south. As ticks must acquire Lyme spirochetes from infected vertebrate hosts, the role of wildlife species composition on Lyme disease risk has been a topic of lively academic discussion. We compared tick–vertebrate host interactions using standardized sampling methods among 8 sites scattered throughout the eastern US. Geographical trends in diversity of tick hosts are gradual and do not match the sharp decline in prevalence at southern sites, but tick–host associations show a clear shift from mammals in the north to reptiles in the south. Tick infection prevalence declines north to south largely because of high tick infestation of efficient spirochete r...

Zoonoses and Public Health, 2020

Established populations of Asian longhorned ticks (ALT), Haemaphysalis longicornis, were first id... more Established populations of Asian longhorned ticks (ALT), Haemaphysalis longicornis, were first identified in the United States (US) in 2017 by sequencing the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox1) ‘barcoding’ locus followed by morphological confirmation. Subsequent investigations detected ALT infestations in 12, mostly eastern, US states. To gain information on the origin and spread of US ALT, we (1) sequenced cox1 from ALT populations across 9 US states and (2) obtained cox1 sequences from potential source populations [China, Japan and Republic of Korea (ROK) as well as Australia, New Zealand and the Kingdom of Tonga (KOT)] both by sequencing and by downloading publicly available sequences in NCBI GenBank. Additionally, we conducted epidemiological investigations of properties near its initial detection locale in Hunterdon County, NJ, as well as a broader risk analysis for importation of ectoparasites into the area. In eastern Asian populations (China/Japan/ROK), we detected 35 cox1 haplotypes that neatly clustered into two clades with known bisexual versus parthenogenetic phenotypes. In Australia/New Zealand/KOT, we detected 10 cox1 haplotypes all falling within the parthenogenetic cluster. In the United States, we detected three differentially distributed cox1 haplotypes from the parthenogenetic cluster, supporting phenotypic evidence that US ALT are parthenogenetic. While none of the source populations examined had all three US cox1 haplotypes, a phylogeographic network analysis supports a northeast Asian source for the US populations. Within the United States, epidemiological investigations indicate ALT can be moved long distances by human transport of animals, such as horses and dogs, with smaller scale movements on wildlife. These results have relevant implications for efforts aimed at minimizing the spread of ALT in the United States and preventing additional exotic tick introductions.

Northeastern Naturalist, 2020

Abstract Haemaphysalis longicornis (Asian Longhorned Tick [ALT]) was first recognized in the US, ... more Abstract Haemaphysalis longicornis (Asian Longhorned Tick [ALT]) was first recognized in the US, outside of customs, in New Jersey in 2017, and now has been documented in 2 Delaware counties. In Asia, where this species is native, and other parts of the world, the ALT is a known or suspected vector of various pathogens to humans, wildlife, and livestock. The ALT's role as a pest of medical and veterinary concern highlights its potential to become an economic burden in the US. The detection of ALT in the eastern US has prompted an initiative to identify and monitor its establishment and spread. Delaware is now the twelfth US state where ALT has been documented. The continued monitoring of this species is of great importance to the agricultural and public health communities.

Journal of Medical Entomology, 2020

Amblyomma maculatum Koch is the primary vector of Rickettsia parkeri, the etiologic agent of tide... more Amblyomma maculatum Koch is the primary vector of Rickettsia parkeri, the etiologic agent of tidewater spotted fever, and can also carry and transmit a variety of other pathogens. This tick historically has been a costly nuisance to livestock owners in the southeastern United States. Over the past 6 yr, A. maculatum has been collected in numbers sufficient to demonstrate their establishment in Kent County, Delaware, and the presence of R. parkeri has been documented. Our goals were to determine the geographic distribution of A. maculatum and R. parkeri in Delaware, and to equate this to relative risk to the public of encountering R. parkeri-infected ticks. We surveyed for ticks in four locations throughout the state from May to August 2019, and found established A. maculatum populations in all three counties. Laboratory analysis of collected specimens by quantitative polymerase chain reaction detected R. parkeri in A. maculatum populations across the state. These results indicate th...

Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases, 2019

Sylvatic plague affects many species in North American prairie ecosystems. Deltamethrin is common... more Sylvatic plague affects many species in North American prairie ecosystems. Deltamethrin is commonly used to manage fleas in potential outbreak areas. Understanding the role of small mammals and their ectoparasites in sylvatic plague maintenance is pertinent to understanding the ecology of plague and its persistence in nature. This study examined the effects of plague management using deltamethrin on communities of small mammals, their flea faunas, and Yersinia pestis prevalence. We trapped small mammals from 2014 to 2016 on the Lower Brule Indian Reservation (LOBR), South Dakota, and analyzed the effects of deltamethrin treatment on small mammal populations, flea loads, and Y. pestis prevalence. We collected higher flea loads from small mammals on sites not treated with deltamethrin (1.10 fleas per animal) than from deltamethrin-treated sites (1.03 fleas per animal). We observed significant negative trends in mean flea load per animal between pre- and post-treatment collections. We detected no significant effects of deltamethrin treatment on animal captures pre- and post-treatment, but observed significant differences in animal captures by experimental unit. We detected no serological evidence for the presence of Y. pestis antibodies in small mammals and 1.2% Y. pestis prevalence across all sampled fleas. Although there is little overlap in the species of fleas infesting small mammals and prairie dogs, the occurrence of flea spillover has been documented. In our study, treatment with deltamethrin reduced flea loads on small mammals by up to 49%. Our data suggest that although the efficacy of deltamethrin on the LOBR-a mixed-grass system-may not be as high as that found in a comparable study in a short-grass system, deltamethrin is still a useful tool in the management of plague.

Journal of medical entomology, Jan 25, 2018

Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) is the principal vector of Borrelia burgdorferi (the etiologi... more Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) is the principal vector of Borrelia burgdorferi (the etiologic agent of Lyme disease) in the eastern and midwestern United States. Recent efforts have documented the first established population of I. scapularis in South Dakota, representing a western expansion of the known species distribution. Our goal was to describe the current distribution of I. scapularis in eastern South Dakota and to survey for the presence of B. burgdorferi in questing I. scapularis. We surveyed for the presence of adult and nymphal I. scapularis in seven counties within South Dakota, including 13 locales from 2016 to 2017. We then tested all I. scapularis, including those collected in 2015 from a previous study, for the presence of B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, via quantitative and conventional polymerase chain reaction. Here, we document the presence of I. scapularis in four new counties in South Dakota, and report the first instance of B. burgdorferi in a questing tick...

Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 2014

We examined 31 free-ranging coyotes (Canis latrans) from central Georgia, USA, for select parasit... more We examined 31 free-ranging coyotes (Canis latrans) from central Georgia, USA, for select parasites and viral agents. Sixteen coyotes had adult heartworms (Dirofilaria immitis). Serum samples from 27 animals revealed antibodies against canine parvovirus (100%), canine distemper virus (48%), canine adenovirus (37%), and Trypanosoma cruzi (7%); none were detected against Leishmania spp. Twenty-two of 24 (92%) coyotes were positive for Toxoplasma gondii. Real-time PCR of feces revealed 32% of coyotes were shedding canine parvovirus, and sequencing revealed type 2b and 2c. Because coyotes could be a spillover host of domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) pathogens, studies of the transmission of pathogens between coyotes and domestic dogs are warranted.

Avian Diseases, 2013

Trichomonas gallinae is a protozoan parasite commonly found in columbids, passerines, and raptors... more Trichomonas gallinae is a protozoan parasite commonly found in columbids, passerines, and raptors. In passerines and columbids, trichomonosis causes significant morbidity and mortality associated with contaminated bird feeders and waters. However, there has been little work on the persistence of T. gallinae in water to determine if artificial waters are a likely source of infection for naive birds. To examine drinking water as a source of T. gallinae transmission, we inoculated 1 x 10(6) trichomonads into containers with 500 ml of either distilled or chlorinated water. In addition, we inoculated the same number of trichomonads in distilled or chlorinated water contaminated with 15 g organic matter. Aliquots of 0.5 ml were collected from each container at 0, 0.5, 1, 5, 10, or 20 min; inoculated into a Trichomonas culture packet; and incubated at 37 C for 6 days. Survival was best in the presence of organic matter, with either distilled or chlorinated water. Uncontaminated chlorinated water did not allow survival at any sampling period.

International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife

Vector borne and zoonotic diseases (Larchmont, N.Y.), 2017

Maintenance of sylvatic plague in prairie dogs (Cynomis spp.) was once thought unlikely due to hi... more Maintenance of sylvatic plague in prairie dogs (Cynomis spp.) was once thought unlikely due to high mortality rates; yet more recent findings indicate that low-level enzootic plague may be maintained in susceptible prairie dog populations. Another hypothesis for the maintenance of sylvatic plague involves small mammals, other than prairie dogs, as an alternative reservoir in the sylvatic plague system. These hypotheses, however, are not mutually exclusive, as both prairie dogs and small mammals could together be driving sylvatic cycles of plague. The concept of a bridging vector has been used to explain the transmission of pathogens from one host species to another. In the case of sylvatic plague, this would require overlap in fleas between small mammals and prairie dogs, and potentially other species such as carnivores. Our goal was to evaluate the level of flea sharing between black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomis ludovicianus) and other small mammals in a mixed-grass prairie in Sout...

Journal of Medical Entomology, 2016

Ixodes scapularis Say (Acari: Ixodidae) is the most important vector of human disease in the Unit... more Ixodes scapularis Say (Acari: Ixodidae) is the most important vector of human disease in the United States. Recent efforts by public health officials to determine its presence on a county-by-county basis have been undertaken to assist in Lyme disease risk assessment. Recent modeling efforts show that South Dakota can potentially support populations of I. scapularis based on favorable climatic conditions and presence of suitable hosts to support tick populations within the state. We provide the first documentation of an established population of I. scapularis in Clay County, SD, providing only the third record of the presence of this tick species within the state.

Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 2014

We examined 31 free-ranging coyotes (Canis latrans) from central Georgia, USA, for select parasit... more We examined 31 free-ranging coyotes (Canis latrans) from central Georgia, USA, for select parasites and viral agents. Sixteen coyotes had adult heartworms (Dirofilaria immitis). Serum samples from 27 animals revealed antibodies against canine parvovirus (100%), canine distemper virus (48%), canine adenovirus (37%), and Trypanosoma cruzi (7%); none were detected against Leishmania spp. Twenty-two of 24 (92%) coyotes were positive for Toxoplasma gondii. Real-time PCR of feces revealed 32% of coyotes were shedding canine parvovirus, and sequencing revealed type 2b and 2c. Because coyotes could be a spillover host of domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) pathogens, studies of the transmission of pathogens between coyotes and domestic dogs are warranted.