Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 21, 2026
Tick Microbiome Characterization by Next-Generation 16S rRNA Amplicon Sequencing
Published on: August 25, 2018
Citizen Science Informs How Missourians Interact With Ticks
Deborah A Hudman1, Matthew D Combes2
1Senior research associate in the Department of Microbiology/Immunology, Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, A.T. Still University, Kirksville, Missouri.
Abstract:
Understanding which tick species Missourians interact with and where exposures occur can help prevent and diagnose tickborne diseases. A statewide survey of ticks and tickborne pathogens was conducted using citizen science. Missourians submitted 12,819 ticks from April-December 2021. In total, 71% of ticks were Amblyomma americanum, and 89% were collected from a person or a pet. These preliminary data provide tick distributions at the county level and identify patterns of direct tick exposure to humans.
