Prevalence and distribution of spotted fever group rickettsiae in American dog ticks (Dermacentor variabilis) in Manitoba, Canada

Presentations
  • Yunik ESA poster 23.vii.15 PDF.pdf (886.9 kB)
  • Monday, November 16, 2015
    Exhibit Hall BC (Convention Center)
    Matthew Yunik , Biology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
    Terry Galloway , Department of Entomology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
    L. Robbin Lindsay , Zoonotic Diseases and Special Pathogens, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
    Little is known about the distribution and prevalence of the spotted fever group rickettsiae in Canada. We conducted active surveillance for tick-associated rickettsiae in 10 localities in Manitoba. A total of 1044 adult American dog ticks, Dermacentor variabilis (Acari: Ixodidae), were collected and screened for spotted fever group rickettsiae. Rickettsia montanensis was the only species of rickettsia detected. The mean prevalence of infection was 9.8% (range, 0.00-21.74% among localities). The proportion of infected male and female ticks was not significantly different; however, tick populations near the northern limit of D. variabilis distribution in Manitoba had lower prevalence of infection compared to tick populations from more southern localities in the province.