Borrelia lonestari DNA in Adult Amblyomma americanum Ticks, Alabama

Abstract

Polymerase chain reaction analysis of 204 Amblyomma americanum and 28 A. maculatum ticks collected in August 1999 near the homes of patients with southern tick-associated rash illness and in control areas in Choctaw County, Alabama, showed Borrelia lonestari flagellin gene sequence from two adult A. americanum. The presence of B. lonestari in A. americanum ticks from Alabama suggests that this suspected pathogen may be widespread in the southeastern United States.

Keywords

• Borrelia lonestari
• ticks
• Amblyomma americanum
• lyme disease
• United States