The Search for Ixodes dammini and Borrelia burgdorferi in Nova Scotia

Twenty-four Ixodes dammini ticks (23 adults and one nymph) have been recovered in Nova Scotia since 1984. There has not been a systematic search for larvae and none has been identified. The recovery of the nymph from a road-killed yellow throat bird, Geothypis trichas, in late May 1990 supports the...

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Main Authors: Colin R Bell, Harold B Specht, B Ann Coombs
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 1992-01-01
Series:Canadian Journal of Infectious Diseases
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/1992/242635
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author Colin R Bell
Harold B Specht
B Ann Coombs
author_facet Colin R Bell
Harold B Specht
B Ann Coombs
author_sort Colin R Bell
collection DOAJ
description Twenty-four Ixodes dammini ticks (23 adults and one nymph) have been recovered in Nova Scotia since 1984. There has not been a systematic search for larvae and none has been identified. The recovery of the nymph from a road-killed yellow throat bird, Geothypis trichas, in late May 1990 supports the contention that migrating birds are bringing deer ticks into the province every spring. In March and April 1991, four adult deer ticks were identified, suggesting that these ticks had overwintered. These deer tick specimens indicate that it is possible that I dammini is becoming established in Nova Scotia, if it is not already established. There has been no evidence for the existence of Borrelia burgdorferi in the province. The spirochete was not cultured from 650 Dermacentor variabilis ticks, nor were antibodies detected in a small sample of feral rodents using an indirect fluorescent antibody test. A survey of 137 dog sera samples, analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, also proved negative. There has been no confirmed indigenous case of Lyme disease in Nova Scotia to date.
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spelling doaj-art-769fc8bf39a54556ab122abea814fa0c2025-08-20T03:35:11ZengWileyCanadian Journal of Infectious Diseases1180-23321992-01-013522423010.1155/1992/242635The Search for Ixodes dammini and Borrelia burgdorferi in Nova ScotiaColin R Bell0Harold B Specht1B Ann Coombs2Department of Biology, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia, CanadaAgriculture Canada Research Station, Kentville, Nova Scotia, CanadaDepartment of Biology, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia, CanadaTwenty-four Ixodes dammini ticks (23 adults and one nymph) have been recovered in Nova Scotia since 1984. There has not been a systematic search for larvae and none has been identified. The recovery of the nymph from a road-killed yellow throat bird, Geothypis trichas, in late May 1990 supports the contention that migrating birds are bringing deer ticks into the province every spring. In March and April 1991, four adult deer ticks were identified, suggesting that these ticks had overwintered. These deer tick specimens indicate that it is possible that I dammini is becoming established in Nova Scotia, if it is not already established. There has been no evidence for the existence of Borrelia burgdorferi in the province. The spirochete was not cultured from 650 Dermacentor variabilis ticks, nor were antibodies detected in a small sample of feral rodents using an indirect fluorescent antibody test. A survey of 137 dog sera samples, analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, also proved negative. There has been no confirmed indigenous case of Lyme disease in Nova Scotia to date.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/1992/242635
spellingShingle Colin R Bell
Harold B Specht
B Ann Coombs
The Search for Ixodes dammini and Borrelia burgdorferi in Nova Scotia
Canadian Journal of Infectious Diseases
title The Search for Ixodes dammini and Borrelia burgdorferi in Nova Scotia
title_full The Search for Ixodes dammini and Borrelia burgdorferi in Nova Scotia
title_fullStr The Search for Ixodes dammini and Borrelia burgdorferi in Nova Scotia
title_full_unstemmed The Search for Ixodes dammini and Borrelia burgdorferi in Nova Scotia
title_short The Search for Ixodes dammini and Borrelia burgdorferi in Nova Scotia
title_sort search for ixodes dammini and borrelia burgdorferi in nova scotia
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/1992/242635
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