Rickettsia Found in New Jersey Ticks

The picture in New Jersey of spotted fever group rickettsiosis (SFGR), which includes Rocky Mountain Spotted fever (RMSF), is complex. In this latest study from the  Am. Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (James Occi, Rutgers University, et al, ), the researchers tested American dog ticks and lone star ticks in NJ to determine which Rickettsia are found in these two NJ ticks.  They did not find the Rickettsia for RMSF in either of those ticks; however, they did find other Rickettsia in those ticks.

Abstract:  New Jersey-Wide Survey of Rickettsia (Proteobacteria: Rickettsiaceae) in Dermacentor variabilis and Amblyomma americanum (Acari: Ixodida: Ixodidae)

James Occi is a member of the Lyme Disease Association’s Scientific and Professional Advisory Board. Thanks to him for below picture of Dermacentor variabilis, American dog ticks: female, male, and engorged female laying eggs.

American Dog Tick