Where Ixodes dammini is the vector of the Lyme disease spirochete (Borrelia burgdorferi), exposure to infected nymphal ticks (= entomologic risk) is perhaps the most important factor affecting the risk for transmission. The overall goal of this proposed study is to identify the source(s) of B. burgdorferi infection in vector ticks and to characterize those ecological conditions either promoting or inhibiting infection of the tick population. Characteristics of several sites described by varying degrees of entomologic risk will be assessed. The parameters to be evaluated will include: the relative abundance or absence of certain vertebrate hosts, the level of zoonotic infection, rates of zoonotic inoculation, and other physical descriptors of the habitat. In addition, the rate at which spirochetal infection develops in newly established tick populations will be measured. It is expected that one or more of the parameters contributing to the abundance of infected ticks and thus, risk for transmission, will have some predictive value in eventually assessing the human and animal risk for acquiring this infection.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
First Independent Research Support & Transition (FIRST) Awards (R29)
Project #
5R29AI030733-05
Application #
2065855
Study Section
Tropical Medicine and Parasitology Study Section (TMP)
Project Start
1990-12-01
Project End
1995-11-30
Budget Start
1993-12-01
Budget End
1994-11-30
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
1994
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Rhode Island
Department
Other Basic Sciences
Type
Schools of Earth Sciences/Natur
DUNS #
135531015
City
Kingston
State
RI
Country
United States
Zip Code
02881