Gunter, S. | Search bioRxiv

bioRxiv2025

Human exposure to spirochete-infected Ornithodoros turicata collected from the home of an individual in the Austin, Texas Metropolitan Area

A Central Texas resident found an engorging Ornithodoros turicata tick attached to their leg while at home. The tick was submitted for testing, which confirmed that it was infected with a Borrelia species. Spirochetes were successfully cultured and whole genome sequencing confirmed that the species was Borrelia turicatae. The tick submitter reported being hospitalized and was recovering from Bells Palsy. Searching the Texas National Electronic Disease Surveillance System indicated that the individual had an undiagnosed febrile illness that spanned three weeks prior to finding the tick attached on them. These findings indicated possible recurrent tick exposure in a domestic environment.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2024

Landscape and meteorological variables associated with Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquito infestation in two southeastern USA coastal cities

Aedes transmitted arboviral human cases are increasing worldwide and spreading to new areas of the United States of America (USA). These diseases continue to re-emerge likely due to changes in vector ecology, urbanization, human migration, and larger range of climatic suitability. Recent shifts in landscape and weather variables are predicted to impact the habitat patterns of urban mosquitoes such as Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Miami (FL) is in the tropical zone and an established hotspot for arboviruses, while Charleston (SC) is in the humid subtropical zone and newly vulnerable. Although these coastal cities have distinct climates, both have hot summers. To understand mosquito infestation in both cities and potentiate our surveillance effort, we performed egg collections in the warmest season. We applied remote sensing with land-use cover and weather variation to identify mosquito infestation patterns. Our study found predominant occurrence of Ae. aegypti and, to a lesser extent, Ae. albopictus in both cities. We detected statistically significant positive and negative associations between entomological indicators and most weather variables in combined data from both cities. For all entomological indices, weekly wind speed and relative humidity were significantly positively associated, while precipitation and maximum temperature were significantly negatively associated. Aedes egg abundance was significantly positively associated with open land in Charleston but was negatively associated with vegetation cover in combined data. There is a clear need for further observational studies to determine the impact of climate change on Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus infestation in the Southeastern region of the USA.

ecology↗