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Updated: Jul 7, 2026
07:21
Tick Microbiome Characterization by Next-Generation 16S rRNA Amplicon Sequencing
Published on: August 25, 2018
13.6K
MULTI-COUNTY TICK SURVEY (ACARI: IXODIDAE) IN MISSOURI USA, 2019 AND 2021
Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association
|March 13, 2026
Summary
Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) are increasing in the US, with higher tick densities found in Missouri
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Entomology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) pose a significant threat to human and animal health, with a notable increase in reported cases in the USA.
- New tick-borne pathogens and syndromes continue to emerge, highlighting the need for ongoing surveillance.
- Understanding tick distribution is crucial for predicting and mitigating TBD risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess tick populations and their density across different ecoregions and land designations in Missouri.
- To investigate the correlation between tick density, particularly Amblyomma americanum, and the incidence of tick-borne diseases.
- To provide updated data on tick distribution for public health and veterinary entomology.
Main Methods:
- Conducted a 2-year survey (2019-2021) across 33 counties in Missouri, collecting over 3,811 ticks.
- Identified tick species, with Amblyomma americanum and Dermacentor variabilis being the most prevalent.
- Analyzed tick density in relation to ecoregions (Eastern Temperate Forest, Great Plains), land designations (metropolitan vs. rural), and TBD rates.
Main Results:
- Significantly higher tick densities were observed in metropolitan areas compared to rural counties (P = 0.012).
- The Eastern Temperate Forest ecoregion showed significantly greater tick density (P = 0.0045), while D. variabilis was more prevalent in the Great Plains ecoregion.
- A moderate, positive correlation (r = 0.68, P = 0.002) was found between A. americanum nymph density and county TBD rates.
Conclusions:
- Tick density in Missouri is influenced by geographic and land-use factors, with higher concentrations in metropolitan and Eastern Temperate Forest areas.
- The positive correlation between A. americanum nymphs and TBD rates underscores the importance of this tick species in disease transmission.
- This study provides critical data for targeted tick surveillance and TBD prevention strategies in Missouri and potentially other regions.
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