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Updated: Feb 5, 2026

Methods for Rapid Transfer and Localization of Lyme Disease Pathogens Within the Tick Gut
Published on: February 14, 2011
Prevalence of Tick-Borne Pathogens in Northeast Missouri
Deborah A Hudman1, Neil J Sargentini1
1Deborah A. Hudman, MS, and Neil J. Sargentini, PhD, are in the Department of Microbiology/Immunology, A.T. Still University Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Abstract:
We evaluated Amblyomma americanum (lone star tick) and Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick) in northeast Missouri for the presence of Borrelia, Ehrlichia, and Rickettsia bacteria and Heartland virus. We screened 436 individual adult lone star ticks (86% of all ticks collected) and infection rates were 6% for B. lonestari, 19% for E. chaffeensis, 3% for E. ewingii, 36% for R. amblyommatis, and 1% for R. montanensis. In the 189 individual American dog ticks, infection rates were 19% for E. chaffeensis, 15% for E. ewingii, 4% for R. amblyommatis, and 5% for R. montanensis. In addition, we screened 20 pools of adults and 30 pools of nymphs for the Heartland virus which was not detected. Understanding the presence and epidemiology of these causative (E. chaffeensis and E. ewingii) and suspected (B. lonestari, R. amblyommatis, and R. montanensis) agents in Missouri should increase awareness of potential tick-borne disease in the medical community.
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