Cluster of tick-borne infections at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas: Rickettsiae and Borrelia burgdorferi in ixodid ticks

J Med Entomol. 1992 Jul;29(4):669-72. doi: 10.1093/jmedent/29.4.669.

Abstract

Human intrusion into pristine habitats increases the likelihood of acquiring infectious agents from potentially infective ticks. As part of a larger human serological investigation into tick-borne illnesses, 3,000 ixodid ticks were collected during May, August, and November 1990 at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. Ticks were examined to determine whether they harbor rickettsiae, ehrlichiae, and Borrelia burgdorferi, and to assess relationship to human exposure to tick-borne infections at Fort Chaffee, Ark. The overall tick infection rates with SFG rickettsiae, B. burgdorferi, and ehrlichiae were 4.8, 0.1, and 0.3%, respectively.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arachnid Vectors / microbiology*
  • Arkansas / epidemiology
  • Borrelia burgdorferi Group / isolation & purification*
  • Ehrlichia / isolation & purification*
  • Humans
  • Rickettsiaceae / isolation & purification*
  • Tick Infestations / epidemiology
  • Ticks / microbiology*