The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #50668

Joshua W. Courtney¹, Richard Dryden, PhD², Jill D. Montgomery³, Bradley S. Schneider⁴, and Robert F. Massung¹. (1) Viral and Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch, CDC, Atlanta, GA, Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30333, (2) Biology, Professor of Biology, Washington & Jefferson College, Washington & Jefferson College, Washington, PA 15301, 724-223-6116, rdryden@washjeff.edu, (3) Biology, Department of Biology, Washington & Jefferson College, Washington & Jefferson College, Washington, PA 15301, (4) CDC, Division of Vector-Borne Disease, Fort Collins Colorado, Fort Collins, CO 80521

Since the fall of 2000 Ixodes scapularis have been collected at various sites throughout Pennsylvania and examined for the presence of human pathogens. All four corners of Pennsylvnaia have been examined, but the bulk of the research has centered on the southeast corner(Delaware and Chester counties) and northwest corner(Erie County) of the state. Over 200 deer ticks from each area have been assayed via nested PCR and all Lyme and HGE positives have undergone DNA sequencing at CDC. To date we have found that southwestern Pennsylvania is a particular hotspot for HGE, but the rate of human cases is below expectations. This is probably because 77.1% of the ehrlichia positives, as determined via PCR, are really Variant 1 (non-pathogenic) and not the actual HGE agent (pathogenic). Still that leaves 22.9% of the granulocytic erhlichial positives in the pathogenic category. Northwestern Pennsylvania is not the hotspot for HGE that the southeastern corner is, but the rate for Lyme Disease might be one of the highest in the country. 162 of 263 deer ticks (61.6%) were positive for being infected with pathogenic Borrelia burgdorferi. Until 2001 no HGE had been reported in Erie County, but the examination of 198 ticks collected in fall of 2001 showed 5 to be positive for pathogenic HGE. The HGE agent is spreading across Pennsylvania and has definitely now appeared in Erie County.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the APHA participant will be able to
• A complete understanding of tick-borne emerging infectious diseases in PA
• Learn about PCR and DNA sequencing

Keywords: Infectious Diseases, Pathogens

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.