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The Prevalence of Human Granulocytic Ehrlichiae in Ixodes scapularis Ticks in Southeastern Georgia

THE PREVALENCE OF HUMAN GRANULOCYTIC EHRLICHIAE IN IXODKS SCAPULARIS TICKS IN SOUTHEASTERN GEORGIA May 2001 HEATHER ANNE MERTEN B S. GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY M.S. GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY Directed by: Drs. Lance A. Durden and Quentin Q. Fang Human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE) is a newly emerging, tick-borne zoonosis in North America. The agent that causes HGE is very similar to EhrlichiaphagocytophiHa and Ehrlichia etpii, but has yet to be classified as a separate species. This study was carried out in order to determine the prevalence rate of HGE infection in blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapulans) in insular and mainland sites in southeastern Georgia using nested PCR techniques. Four locations were studied representing 2 barrier islands and 2 mainland sites. We hypothesized that areas that have low levels of human disturbance and are somewhat isolated will have a higher prevalence of infected ticks than areas where there is more disturbance and no geographical barriers. Ticks were collected from each of the four sites and DNA was extracted from them in the laboratory. The DNA was amplified using a nested PCR assay and then visualized on a 1% agarose gel. All positive samples were re-tested in order to confirm that there were