Tick-Borne Pathogens Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia odocoilei, and Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato in Blacklegged Ticks Widespread across Eastern Canada

Blacklegged ticks, Ixodes scapularis, can transmit single or multiple infections during a tick bite. These tick-borne, zoonotic become chronic and cause insidious diseases in patients. In the present tick-pathogen study, 138 (48.9%) of 282 ticks collected from 17 sites 6 geographic area eastern Canada harbored various combinations Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Lyme disease), Anaplasma phagocytophilum (human anaplasmosis), Babesia spp. babesiosis). Overall, 167 microbial were detected and, these, 25 had co-infections two polymicrobial infections. The prevalence was 15.2%, ratio odocoilei to microti 41 1 with this sole B. being Nova Scotia. Notably, we provide first documentation Maritimes. Eastern Ontario an infection for 25%-the highest among areas surveyed study. By far, predominant sp. odocoilei. Based on our findings, health-care practitioners need recognize that I. scapularis removed patients may be carrying tick-borne pathogens.