Prevalence of Francisella tularensis in Dermacentor variabilis Ticks, Minnesota, 2017

• DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2018.2388
• Publication Date: 2019-02-13T17:02:27Z
• Authors: Tory Whitten; Courtney Demontigny; Jenna Bjork; Mandy Foss; Molly Peterson; Joni Scheftel; Dave Neitzel; Maureen Sullivan; Kirk Smith
• Keywords: Dermacentor variabilis; Epizootic; Tularemia; Dermacentor reticulatus

Introduction: The prevalence of Francisella tularensis in Minnesota ticks is unknown. Ticks collected at seven sites were tested to determine the infection F. Dermacentor variabilis Minnesota. Materials and Methods: from two properties an epizootic site five long-term tick research sites. pooled by species, sex, date, with a maximum 10 per pool. bisected homogenized; DNA supernatant was extracted real-time PCR (RT-PCR). Twice, additional for bacterial culture isolation tularensis. Proportion positive pools minimum rate (MIR) calculated. Results: A total 3527 including 1601 male D. 1926 female variabilis. Across all sites, 128 (34%) 378 RT-PCR Of pools, 96 (75%) identified as type A; 32 unable be subtyped. overall MIR 3.6%. significantly lower compared Morrison County 1 (3.9% vs. 7.2%; p = 0.02) but did not differ between Pine 2.1%; 0.49). Within site, higher Washington 2 adjacent property (5.7% 2.3%; < 0.001). cultured 6 (15%) 40 pools. Conclusions:F. found majority tested. varied geographically. Our findings support hypothesis that plays important role natural history tularemia Further ecologic studies are needed fully understand importance species maintenance transmission