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. 1992 Sep;3(5):224-30.
doi: 10.1155/1992/242635.

The search for Ixodes dammini and Borrelia burgdorferi in Nova Scotia

C R Bell  1 , H B Specht, B A Coombs
Affiliations

The search for Ixodes dammini and Borrelia burgdorferi in Nova Scotia

C R Bell et al. Can J Infect Dis. 1992 Sep.

Abstract
in English, French

Twenty-four Ixodes dammini ticks (23 adults and one nymph) have been recovered in Nova Scotia since 1984. There has not been a systematic search for larvae and none has been identified. The recovery of the nymph from a road-killed yellow throat bird, Geothypis trichas, in late May 1990 supports the contention that migrating birds are bringing deer ticks into the province every spring. In March and April 1991, four adult deer ticks were identified, suggesting that these ticks had overwintered. These deer tick specimens indicate that it is possible that I dammini is becoming established in Nova Scotia, if it is not already established. There has been no evidence for the existence of Borrelia burgdorferi in the province. The spirochete was not cultured from 650 Dermacentor variabilis ticks, nor were antibodies detected in a small sample of feral rodents using an indirect fluorescent antibody test. A survey of 137 dog sera samples, analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, also proved negative. There has been no confirmed indigenous case of Lyme disease in Nova Scotia to date.

On a trouvé 24 tiques Ixodes dammini (23 adultes et une nymphe) en Nouvelle-Écosse depuis 1984. Les larves n’ont pas été systématiquement recherchées et aucune n’a été identifiées. La découverte d’une nymphe chez une fauvette masquée (Geothypis trichas) tuée sur la route, à la fin mai 1990 appuie l’hypothése selon laquelle les oiseaux migrateurs apportent la tique du wapiti dans la province chaque année. En mars et avril 1991, quatre tiques du wapiti adultes ont été identifiées, suggérant que ces tiques avaient hiverné et que I dammini est en voie de s’établir en Nouvelle-Écosse – si ce n’est déjà fait. Rien ne semble indiquer la présence de Borrelia burgdorferi dans la province. Aucun spirochète n’a été mis en culture à partir de 650 Dermacentor variabilis (tique du chien) et aucun anticorps n’a été décelé par immunofluorescence indirecte dans un petit échantillon de rongeurs sauvages. L’analyse de 137 sérums de chien effectuée par la méthode enzymo-immunologique a donné elle aussi des résultats négatifs. Jusqu’à ce jour, aucun cas indigène de borréliose de Lyme n’a été confirmé en Nouvelle-Écosse.

Keywords: Borrelia burgdorferi; Dermacentor variabilis; Ixodes dammini; Lyme disease; Nova Scotia.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Distribution of Dermacentor variabilis and the location of the 1988 field sites in southwestern Nova Scotia. (Solid circles represent 1985 data)
Figure 2
Figure 2
Location of Ixodes dammini recovered in Nova Scotia and the three veterinary clinics participating in the canine serosurvey
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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