We seek to describe the host-relationships of the vector tick, Ixodes dammini, and to determine how the abundance and variety of vertebrate hosts may affect the intensity of transmission of the agents of Lyme disease and rodent babesiosis. We shall determine: (1) how the abundance of particular reservoir hosts of the tick-borne spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi and the piroplasm, Babesia microti, relates to the intensity of transmission; (2) whether the abundance of certain verebrate hosts may largely regulate the abundance of the vector tick, Ixodes dammini; and (3) whether the presence of other vertebrate hosts may limit the geographical distribution of this tick. In addition, we shall (4) identify non-host factors that may affect geographical diversity in the transmission of these infections, including parasitization by a chalcid wasp, interaction with other ticks and the presence of genetic diversiy within I. dammini. We shall monitor the course of human infection and disease in sites where these zoonoses affect human health. We hope to build on these observations in order to identify the main factors influencing the force of transmission of these agents of human disease and, ultimately, devise means for protecting human health. This work may generate concepts applicable to an understanding of the transmission dynamics of vector-borne infections in general.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
2R01AI019693-04A1
Application #
3129074
Study Section
Tropical Medicine and Parasitology Study Section (TMP)
Project Start
1983-01-01
Project End
1989-06-30
Budget Start
1986-07-01
Budget End
1987-06-30
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
1986
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Harvard University
Department
Type
Schools of Public Health
DUNS #
082359691
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02115
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Krause, Peter J; McKay, Kathleen; Gadbaw, Joseph et al. (2003) Increasing health burden of human babesiosis in endemic sites. Am J Trop Med Hyg 68:431-6
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Kiszewski, Anthony E; Spielman, Andrew (2002) Preprandial inhibition of re-mating in Ixodes ticks (Acari: Ixodidae). J Med Entomol 39:847-53
Telford 3rd, S R; Korenberg, E I; Goethert, H K et al. (2002) [Detection of natural foci of babesiosis and granulocytic ehrlichiosis in Russia] Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol :21-5
Rich, S M; Armstrong, P M; Smith, R D et al. (2001) Lone star tick-infecting borreliae are most closely related to the agent of bovine borreliosis. J Clin Microbiol 39:494-7
Kiszewski, A E; Matuschka, F R; Spielman, A (2001) Mating strategies and spermiogenesis in ixodid ticks. Annu Rev Entomol 46:167-82
Armstrong, P M; Brunet, L R; Spielman, A et al. (2001) Risk of Lyme disease: perceptions of residents of a Lone Star tick-infested community. Bull World Health Organ 79:916-25

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