Pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms harbored by Amblyomma americanum, the lone star tick, in southeastern Nebraska

The lone star tick is an aggressive, three-host ectoparasite of medical and veterinary importance that expanded its range into Nebraska during the 1990’s. Lone star ticks are vectors of several pathogens including Ehrlichia chaffeensis, E. ewingii, Borrelia lonestari, and Francisella tularensis. However, the prevalence of these microorganisms in Nebraska ticks is not known. The objectives of this study are to 1) describe microbial diversity of lone star tick populations using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for Rickettsia spp. and Ehrlichia spp. and 2) assess prevalence. Lone star ticks were collected from six sites in southeastern Nebraska using CO₂ trapping during May to August 2012. A sample of 251 adult ticks (140 females, 111 males) from a total of 747 adult ticks collected were randomly selected and will be analyzed using PCR to detect DNA of pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms. Conclusions are pending. Our findings will provide information on tick-borne disease transmission risk in southeastern Nebraska.