Utilizes the One-Health approach to tick-borne diseases
OVERVIEW
The major areas of my research in progress are evaluation of the pathogens present in ticks found in VA and the tick innate immune response. This work stems from our on-going tick and pathogen surveillance studies, now in their 8th year of data collection. My initial interests in tick borne pathogens was in the antibacterial peptides produced by the tick in response to microbial challenge, but in recent years my work has focused on the disease pathogens found in this area of the country; a unique mixing bowl of ticks from the north and the south being found in the same locations. My lab in particular has been responsible for the molecular work conducted in our tick surveillance project here at ODU. In addition to studies on prevalence of Borrelia spp. we are also interested in mechanisms of transmission of R. parkeri in its natural host, A. maculatum a recent import to Virginia, as well as transmission to and from another tick species found in the same locations, namely A. americanum and Dermacentor variabilis. We are also interested in the innate immune system of the hard ticks, in particular Amblyomma maculatum, Dermacentor variabilis and Ixodes scapularis by defining the gene, tissue of production and regulation of the defensins; in addition we are looking for addition antimicrobial agents associated with the innate immune response and how the system is regulated.
- What pathogens are present?
- Molecular identification of various pathogens
- Rickettsia spp.
- Borrelia spp.
- Babesia spp.
- Ehrlichia spp. / Anaplasma spp.
- Molecular identification of various pathogens
- What does this mean to human and animal health?
Tick immunity
- Why does a tick not get sick when infected?
- What triggers tick immune response?
What happens to tick microbiome when infected with Rickettsia sp.?
How are Rickettsia spp. transmitted transovarially?
