Feeding density influences acquisition of Borrelia burgdorferi in larval Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae).
The intensity of Borrelia burgdorferi transmission in nature is dependent upon the efficiency of acquisition of spirochetes by larval Ixodes scapularis Say (= I. dammini Spielman, Clifford, Piesman & Corwin). White-footed mice infected with B. burgdorferi were infested weekly for 5 consecutive weeks with 25 or 250 larval I. scapularis. Prevalence of infection in nymphs derived from larvae fed at high density (25.0-38.9%) was consistently higher than in nymphs derived from larvae fed at low density (6.7-23.5%). Spirochete prevalence in nymphal I. scapularis populations in nature may be influenced by larval population density.
Levin
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M
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520-8034, USA.
Papero
M
M
Fish
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D
D000818:Animals; D015748:Borrelia burgdorferi Group; D018884:Ixodes / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000502:physiology; D007814:Larva / Q000382:microbiology; D008193:Lyme Disease / Q000635:transmission*; D051379:Mice; D013984:Tick Infestations