D3027: Surveillance for three emerging tick-borne pathogens in Kentucky

The emergence of tick-borne pathogens is a growing public health concern driven by global changes in climate and urban sprawl. From January to December 2023, through our comprehensive surveillance efforts, encompassing both field collections and a statewide public submission program, we assessed the distribution of three tick species—Amblyomma americanum, Ixodes scapularis, and Dermacentor variabilis. Screening these ticks for Ehrlichia chaffeensis, Borrelia burgdorferi, and R. rickettsii provided valuable insights into pathogen distribution. Notably, our investigation identified an elevated minimum infection rate (MIR) of 4.7% among American dog ticks found positive for Rickettsia rickettsii, surpassing historical infection rates documented within the state. Moving forward, PCR amplicon sequencing will serve to validate these initial findings. Our findings revealed a concerning increase in the number of ticks infected with Rickettsia rickettsii, the causative agent of Rocky Mountain spotted fever. This discovery emphasizes the evolving landscape of tick-borne pathogens in the region and warrants the need for additional surveillance measures. These studies contribute to our understanding of tick-borne pathogen dynamics and allow us to develop targeted public health approaches to mitigate their impact.