Vector-transmitted pathogens include those transmitted by blood-feeding arthropods such as ticks, mosquitoes, black flies, biting midges, and others. The projects listed below continue to develop, and many of these projects are seeking active participation. Read more below to see additional resources and/or learn how to participate.
Tick research
Determining the spatial distribution of a novel, invasive tick species, examining community engagement and the role of tick-borne pathogens in rural areas of Georgia, and understanding tick ecology in coastal Georgia are just a few examples of the tick work that SCWDS conducts. Read below for more information.
Longhorned Tick Surveillance
The longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis), also known as the cattle tick or bush tick, is native to eastern Asia. The tick has become invasive in several countries including Australia and New Zealand, and now the United States where it is an important parasite of cattle. It is also of concern to the cattle industry as it is a vector of Theileria orientalis. Also, some infested animals may develop very high tick burdens. There are some life history traits of H. longicornis that enhance its invasive potential. It has a broad geographic range and nymphs and adults are able to enter diapause (suspended development) or overwinter in colder environments. Further, H. longicornis has a wide host range including humans, cattle, dogs, horses, and small ruminants as well as a wide variety of wild and feral species such as carnivores, cervids, feral pigs, rodents, and several bird species. Finally, some populations of H. longicornis are capable of asexual reproduction (parthenogenesis), in which adult female ticks can produce fertile eggs without contact with male ticks. Therefore, a single female tick introduced to a new area can start an entirely new population. This exotic Asian tick species first was confirmed in the United States in November 2017 following its collection from a domestic sheep and its caregiver in Hunterdon County, New Jersey. Beginning that fall, SCWDS and multiple other organizations began collaborative surveillance for the tick to determine if it had become established. By Spring 2018 the tick was confirmed to still be present in New Jersey and soon after was noted in new geographic regions and on new hosts. Publicly available records of H. longicornis have been collated and shown on this map of the distribution. This interactive map shows reports at the county level and can be easily sorted by user-defined region, state, host or year. SCWDS is conducting regional surveillance for this tick through collaborations with various agencies. All of these ticks are being submitted to SCWDS for identification and future inclusion in studies on the population genetics of H. longicornis and pathogen testing. If you are interested in participating, please contact [email protected].
Tick ecology in Georgia
Tick-borne pathogens represent a growing research priority in Georgia and current research aims to identify knowledge gaps and risk factors specific to rural Georgians. This work will help inform future public health initiatives and educational efforts, contribute to a better understanding of how tick-borne diseases impact rural Georgia communities, and help guide targeted prevention strategies.
Mange research
SCWDS continues to receive samples from wildlife species with lesions consistent with mange mite infection, and researchers at SCWDS are working to understand the causes of mange in various wildlife species. Over the past decade, efforts have focused on human understanding and perception of mange, diagnostic test development, spatiotemporal patterns, co-infections, environmental persistence, and understanding other species that are causative agents of mange in wildlife, and many other topics.
Multi-species Mange Surveillance, Research, and Management
Mange is a disease that affects wildlife populations worldwide. While certain species such as North American red foxes and coyotes experience regular epizootics with minimal repercussions, other species have had detrimental population affects such as Kit Foxes and Vicuna. Within the last 30 years sarcoptic mange has emerged in American black bears and now appears to be endemic in some Eastern black bear populations. These bear populations are regularly infested with Sarcoptes scabiei, the causative agent of sarcoptic mange, and become clinical (i.e., experience hair loss, puritis [intense itching], loss of body condition, etc.), however little is known drivers maintaining and leading to emergence of mange in neighboring black bear populations. View a current interactive map of mange reports in Eastern black bears.
While most cases of severe mange in the Eastern US are caused by Sarcoptes scabiei, identifying the causative mite when an animal presents with lesions is very important. For example, there was recent novel detection of a Chorioptes sp. mite associated with severe mange lesions on a black bear from Massachusetts, as well as sporadic documentation of mild mange due to Ursicoptes sp. mites throughout the US. Additionally, while S. scabiei mange is often reported as the primary cause of mange in rabbits, in 2021, we identified the first cases of Notoedres centrifera mange in two rabbit species in Florida, further highlighting the need for accurate mite identification. In additional to general wildlife mange surveillance and mite identification, we have several research projects that focus on mange, especially trying to understand the emergence of sarcoptic mange in black bear populations.
Current projects are focused on improving surveillance methods and applied human dimensions research to inform management including:
- Toxin exposure and mange severity in Eastern black bear (enrolled states only)
- Mite enumeration in Eastern black bear (enrolled states only)
- Skin microbiome of Eastern black bears (enrolled states only)
- Sarcoptes scabiei population genetics
- Human dimensions of mange in wildlife
- Ursicoptes-associated mange in black bears
- Characterization of Notoedres mites in rabbits and squirrels
How can you help:
SCWDS is conducting national surveillance for mange in wildlife through collaborations with various agencies. Skin samples and/or skin scrapes being submitted to SCWDS for identification and samples of all mites would be potentially used in future studies on the population genetics of pathogenic mites in North America. In addition to basic surveillance, we are conducting several research projects related to mange that are outlined below. Depending on enrollment criteria, you may be able to participate in one or more of these multi-state collaborative research projects. Protocols are found below:
- Open to all states:
- Open to enrolled states:
For more information:
If your state agency is interested in project enrollment or would like additional information, please reach out to Dr. Raquel Francisco ([email protected]) or Dr. Michael Yabsley ([email protected]).
Publications of our past work are included below:
Niedringhaus, K. D., Brown, J. D., Ternent, M., Peltier, S. K., van Wick, P., & Yabsley, M. J. (2020). Serology as a tool to investigate sarcoptic mange in American black bears (Ursus americanus). Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 56(2), 350–358. https://doi.org/10.7589/2019-04-086
Niedringhaus, K. D., Brown, J. D., Sweeley, K. M., & Yabsley, M. J. (2019). A review of sarcoptic mange in North American wildlife. International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife, 9(June), 285–297. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijppaw.2019.06.003
Niedringhaus, K. D., Brown, J. D., Ternent, M. A., Peltier, S. K., & Yabsley, M. J. (2019). Effects of temperature on the survival of Sarcoptes scabiei of black bear (Ursus americanus) origin. Parasitology Research, 118(10), 2767–2772. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-019-06387-7
Niedringhaus, K. D., Brown, J. D., Ternent, M., Childress, W., Gettings, J. R., & Yabsley, M. J. (2019). The emergence and expansion of sarcoptic mange in American black bears (Ursus americanus) in the United States. Veterinary Parasitology: Regional Studies and Reports, 17(April), 100303. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vprsr.2019.100303
Peltier, S. K., Brown, J. D., Ternent, M., Niedringhaus, K. D., Schuler, K., Bunting, E. M., Kirchgessner, M., & Yabsley, M. J. (2017). Genetic characterization of Sarcoptes scabiei from black bears (Ursus americanus) and other hosts in the Eastern United States. Journal of Parasitology, 103(5), 593–597. https://doi.org/10.1645/17-26
Peltier, S. K., Brown, J. D., Ternent, M. A., Fenton, H., Niedringhaus, K. D., & Yabsley, M. J. (2018). Assays for detection and identification of the causative agent of mange in free-ranging black bears (Ursus americanus). Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 54(3), 471–479. https://doi.org/10.7589/2017-06-148
Echinococcus Surveillance in North American Canids
Background information
Echinococcus species tapeworms (Family Taeniidae) are globally distributed parasites that can have profound impacts on agricultural animal health, resulting in economic losses. Furthermore, Echinococcus species are zoonotic, and pose a risk to human health. Adult tapeworms are typically found in the gut of both domestic and wild canid definitive hosts and shed infectious eggs via feces. These embryonated eggs can infect a variety of rodents, even-toed ungulates, and humans.
Historically in the North America, Echinococcus has been found in Canada, midwestern, and northeastern United States. Recently, however, cases of Echinococcus have been documented in the eastern U.S. in coyotes (Canis latrans) and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes). The goals of our research are to screen wild canids for the presence of Echinococcus species in the eastern U.S., determine if Echinococcus species are becoming established in this region, and evaluate the population genetic structure of these parasites in North America. Molecular analyses are used to identify the species of Echinococcus that are found, resulting in additional insight into the intermediate hosts involved in the parasite’s lifecycle.
For more information
Lifecycle of Echinococcus and risk to humans: visit the CDC DPDx page.
How you can help
If you or your state are interested in submitting wild canid gastrointestinal tracts for screening of Echinococcus species please contact [email protected] or [email protected].
