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Updated: May 22, 2026
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Detecting the Lyme Disease Spirochete, Borrelia Burgdorferi, in Ticks Using Nested PCR
Published on: February 4, 2018
Field studies on Lyme disease in North America
1Division of Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.
Summary
Identifying the correct tick vectors, like Ixodes dammini, is crucial for detecting Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi) presence. Definitive proof requires isolating the spirochete in culture media.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Entomology
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Lyme disease is caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi.
- Ixodes dammini and Ixodes pacificus are the primary tick vectors in North America.
- Identifying tick vectors is essential for determining Lyme disease endemicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline methods for identifying tick vectors of Borrelia burgdorferi.
- To establish criteria for confirming Lyme disease enzooticity in a region.
- To highlight the importance of culturing Borrelia burgdorferi for definitive diagnosis.
Main Methods:
- Surveillance for tick vectors (Ixodes dammini, Ixodes pacificus) in different North American regions.
- Sampling of questing ticks and wildlife hosts (Peromyscus leucopus, Odocoileus virginianus).
- Isolation and culture of Borrelia burgdorferi using Barbour-Stoenner-Kelly II medium.
Main Results:
- Ixodes dammini is the main vector in eastern/central North America; Ixodes pacificus in the west.
- Presence of all three tick life stages indicates a self-sustaining vector population.
- Culturing Borrelia burgdorferi provides definitive evidence of its presence.
Conclusions:
- Accurate tick vector identification is the first step in Lyme disease risk assessment.
- Comprehensive sampling strategies considering habitat and season are necessary.
- Culturing Borrelia burgdorferi remains the gold standard for confirming Lyme disease presence.
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