Covid-19 Research

Research Article

OCLC Number/Unique Identifier:

Molecular Detection of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Babesia odocoilei, Babesia microti and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Ixodes Ticks in British Columbia, Canada

Biology Group    Start Submission

John D Scott* and Catherine M Scott

Volume6-Issue9
Dates: Received: 2025-09-22 | Accepted: 2025-09-27 | Published: 2025-09-30
Pages: 1367-1379

Abstract

In total, 76 Ixodes ticks were collected in southwestern British Columbia (BC). Five Ixodes species (I. angustus, I. cookei, I. pacificus, I. scapularis, and I. spinipalpis), which bite humans, were collected and tested. Two Ixodes spp. (I. rugosus, I. sculptus), which do not bite humans, were collected and tested. Using real-time and nested PCR, the four pathogens were detected, namely Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (19/76, 25%), Babesia odocoilei (12/76, 16%), Babesia microti (1/76, 1%), and Anaplasma phagocytophylum (2/76, 3%). We provide the first report of Ixodes scapularis parasitizing an eastern cottontail, Sylvilagus floridanus, in Canada. We document the first molecular identification of Ixodes sculptus parasitizing an American mink, Neogale vision; this tick-host parasitism occurred on Vancouver Island, BC. At an established population on mainland BC, Ixodes pacificus adults (7/15, 51%) were positive for Babesia odocoilei. We report the first Ixodes pacificus parasitizing a Mallard Duck, Anas platyrhynchos. Based on the findings of this tick-host-pathogen study, healthcare practitioners must be aware that at least 5 different Ixodes spp. transmit tick-borne zoonotic pathogens in BC. Babesia odocoilei does not respond to doxycycline treatment.

FullText HTML FullText PDF DOI: 10.37871/jbres2192


Certificate of Publication




Copyright

© 2025 Scott JD, et al. Distributed under Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0

How to cite this article

Scot JD, Scott CM. Molecular Detection of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Babesia odocoilei, Babesia microti and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Ixodes Ticks in British Columbia, Canada. J Biomed Res Environ Sci. 2025 Sept 30; 6(9): 1367-1379. doi: 10.37871/jbres2192, Article ID: JBRES2192, Available at: https://www.jelsciences.com/articles/jbres2192.pdf


Subject area(s)

References


  1. Stricker RB, Fesler MC. Chronic Lyme disease: A working case definition. Am J Infect Dis. 2018;14:1.44.
  2. Sanchez-Vicente S, Tagliafierro T, Coleman JL, Benach JL, Tokarz R. Polymicrobial Nature of Tick-Borne Diseases. mBio. 2019 Sep 10;10(5):e02055-19. doi: 10.1128/mBio.02055-19. PMID: 31506314; PMCID: PMC6737246.
  3. Scott JD, Scott CM. Primary detection of the establishment of blacklegged ticks, Ixodes scapularis, in British Columbia, Canada. J Biomed Res Environ Sci. 2023;4(5):935-941.
  4. Durden LA, Keirans JE. Nymphs of the genus Ixodes (Acari: Ixodidae) of the United States: Taxonomy, identification key, distribution, hosts, and medical/veterinary importance. Monographs; Thomas Say Publications in Entomology, Entomological Society of America: Lanham, MD, USA;1996. p. 95.
  5. Cooley RA, Kohls GM. The genus Ixodes in North America. Natl Inst Health Bull. p. 184.
  6. Gregson JD. The Ixodoidea of Canada. Can Dep Agric., Publ. 930. 1956. p. 92.
  7. Furman DP, Loomis EC. The ticks of California (Acari: Ixodidae). Bull Calif Insect Surv. 1984;25:1-239.
  8. Maupin GO, Gage KL, Piesman J, Montenieri J, Sviat SL, VanderZanden L, Happ CM, Dolan M, Johnson BJ. Discovery of an enzootic cycle of Borrelia burgdorferi in Neotoma mexicana and Ixodes spinipalpis from northern Colorado, an area where Lyme disease is nonendemic. J Infect Dis. 1994 Sep;170(3):636-43. doi: 10.1093/infdis/170.3.636. PMID: 8077722.
  9. Dolan MC, Maupin GO, Panella NA, Golde WT, Piesman J. Vector competence of Ixodes scapularis, I. spinipalpis, and Dermacentor andersoni (Acari:Ixodidae) in transmitting Borrelia burgdorferi, the etiologic agent of Lyme disease. J Med Entomol. 1997 Mar;34(2):128-35. doi: 10.1093/jmedent/34.2.128. PMID: 9103755.
  10. Zeidner NS, Burkot TR, Massung R, Nicholson WL, Dolan MC, Rutherford JS, Biggerstaff BJ, Maupin GO. Transmission of the agent of human granulocytic ehrlichiosis by Ixodes spinipalpis ticks: evidence of an enzootic cycle of dual infection with Borrelia burgdorferi in Northern Colorado. J Infect Dis. 2000 Aug;182(2):616-9. doi: 10.1086/315715. Epub 2000 Jul 28. PMID: 10915099.
  11. Burgdorfer W, Barbour AG, Hayes SF, Benach JL, Grunwaldt E, Davis JP. Lyme disease-a tick-borne spirochetosis? Science. 1982 Jun 18;216(4552):1317-9. doi: 10.1126/science.7043737. PMID: 7043737.
  12. Scott JD, Scott CM. Molecule detection of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Borrelia miyamotoi, Babesia odocoilei, Babesia microti and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Ixodes ticks collected across Canada. J Biomed Res Environ Sci. 2024; 5(10):1321-1337.
  13. Scott JD, Sajid MS, Pascoe EL, Foley JE. Detection of Babesia odocoilei in Humans with Babesiosis Symptoms. Diagnostics (Basel). 2021 May 25;11(6):947. doi: 10.3390/diagnostics11060947. PMID: 34070625; PMCID: PMC8228967.
  14. Scott JD. Human babesiosis caused by Babesia odocoilei: A confirmed zoonosis. Am J Inf Dis. 2024;20:50-51.
  15. Goff WL, Jessup DA, Waldrup KA, Thomford JW, Conrad PA, Boyce WM, Gorham JR, Wagner GG. The isolation and partial characterization of a Babesia sp. from desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni). J Eukaryot Microbiol. 1993 May-Jun;40(3):237-43. doi: 10.1111/j.1550-7408.1993.tb04909.x. PMID: 8508161.
  16. Gray A, Capewell P, Zadoks R, Taggart MA, French AS, Katzer F, Shiels BR, Weir W. Wild deer in the United Kingdom are a potential reservoir for the livestock parasite Babesia divergens. Curr Res Parasitol Vector Borne Dis. 2021 Mar 17;1:100019. doi: 10.1016/j.crpvbd.2021.100019. PMID: 35284871; PMCID: PMC8906096.
  17. Dreghiciu IC, Hoffman D, Dumitru S, Oprescu I, Imre M, Florea T, Plesko A, Iorgoni V, Morariu S, Dărăbuș G, Ilie MS. First Molecular Identification of Zoonotic Babesia odocoilei in Ticks from Romania. Microorganisms. 2025 May 22;13(6):1182. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms13061182. PMID: 40572070; PMCID: PMC12195308.
  18. Waldrup KA, Kocan AA, Barker RW, Wagner GG. Transmission of Babesia odocoilei in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) by Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae). J Wildl Dis. 1990 Jul;26(3):390-1. doi: 10.7589/0090-3558-26.3.390. PMID: 2388362.
  19. Brennan MB, Herwaldt BL, Kazmierczak JJ, Weiss JW, Klein CL, Leith CP, He R, Oberley MJ, Tonnetti L, Wilkins PP, Gauthier GM. Transmission of Babesia microti Parasites by Solid Organ Transplantation. Emerg Infect Dis. 2016 Nov;22(11):1869–76. doi: 10.3201/eid2211.151028. PMID: 27767010; PMCID: PMC5088010.
  20. Aladeen J, Wadhawan P, Pendyala R, Bajwa B, Bajwa RP. Transfusion related babesiosis in a non-endemic region (Western New York). Oxf Med Case Reports. 2024 Nov 20;2024(11):omae133. doi: 10.1093/omcr/omae133. PMID: 39575087; PMCID: PMC11576543.
  21. New DL, Quinn JB, Qureshi MZ, Sigler SJ. Vertically transmitted babesiosis. J Pediatr. 1997 Jul;131(1 Pt 1):163-4. doi: 10.1016/s0022-3476(97)70143-4. PMID: 9255211.
  22. Fox LM, Wingerter S, Ahmed A, Arnold A, Chou J, Rhein L, Levy O. Neonatal babesiosis: case report and review of the literature. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2006 Feb;25(2):169-73. doi: 10.1097/01.inf.0000195438.09628.b0. PMID: 16462298.
  23. Cornett JK, Malhotra A, Hart D. Vertical transmission of babesiosis from a pregnant, splenectomized mother to her neonate. Infect Dis Clin Pract. 2012;20:408-410.
  24. Iyer S, Goodman K. Congenital Babesiosis From Maternal Exposure: A Case Report. J Emerg Med. 2019 Apr;56(4):e39-e41. doi: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2018.12.044. Epub 2019 Jan 29. PMID: 30709608.
  25. Scott JD, Clark KL, Foley JE, Anderson JF, Bierman BC, Durden LA. Extensive Distribution of the Lyme Disease Bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato, in Multiple Tick Species Parasitizing Avian and Mammalian Hosts across Canada. Healthcare (Basel). 2018 Nov 12;6(4):131. doi: 10.3390/healthcare6040131. PMID: 30424543; PMCID: PMC6315338.
  26. Clifford CM, Anastos G, Elbl A. The larval ixodid ticks of the eastern United States (Acarina-Ixodidae). Miscellaneous Publication: Entomological Society of America. 1961;2(3):213-237.
  27. Keirans JE, Hutcheson HJ, Durden LA, Klompen JS. Ixodes (Ixodes) scapularis (Acari:Ixodidae): redescription of all active stages, distribution, hosts, geographical variation, and medical and veterinary importance. J Med Entomol. 1996 May;33(3):297-318. doi: 10.1093/jmedent/33.3.297. PMID: 8667375.
  28. Keirans JE, Clifford CM. The genus Ixodes in the United States: a scanning electron microscope study and key to the adults. J Med Entomol Suppl. 1978 Jul 20;2:1-149. doi: 10.1093/jmedent/15.suppl2.1. PMID: 401322.
  29. Courtney JW, Kostelnik LM, Zeidner NS, Massung RF. Multiplex real-time PCR for detection of anaplasma phagocytophilum and Borrelia burgdorferi. J Clin Microbiol. 2004 Jul;42(7):3164-8. doi: 10.1128/JCM.42.7.3164-3168.2004. PMID: 15243077; PMCID: PMC446246.
  30. Tokarz R, Tagliafierro T, Cucura DM, Rochlin I, Sameroff S, Lipkin WI. Detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia microti, Borrelia burgdorferi, Borrelia miyamotoi, and Powassan Virus in Ticks by a Multiplex Real-Time Reverse Transcription-PCR Assay. mSphere. 2017 Apr 19;2(2):e00151-17. doi: 10.1128/mSphere.00151-17. PMID: 28435891; PMCID: PMC5397568.
  31. Crandall KE, Kerr JT, Millien V. Emerging Tick-Borne Pathogens in Central Canada: Recent Detections of Babesia odocoilei and Rickettsia rickettsii. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 2022 Nov;22(11):535-544. doi: 10.1089/vbz.2022.0036. Epub 2022 Oct 19. PMID: 36264197.
  32. Holden K, Boothby JT, Anand S, Massung RF. Detection of Borrelia burgdorferi, Ehrlichia chaffeensis, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) from a coastal region of California. J Med Entomol. 2003 Jul;40(4):534-9. doi: 10.1603/0022-2585-40.4.534. PMID: 14680123.
  33. Persing DH, Mathiesen D, Marshall WF, Telford SR, Spielman A, Thomford JW, Conrad PA. Detection of Babesia microti by polymerase chain reaction. J Clin Microbiol. 1992 Aug;30(8):2097-103. doi: 10.1128/jcm.30.8.2097-2103.1992. PMID: 1500517; PMCID: PMC265450.
  34. Burgess HJ, Lockerbie BP, Ayalew LE, Dibernardo A, Hrazdilová K, Modry D, Bollinger TK. Species-specific PCR assay for the detection of Babesia odocoilei. J Vet Diagn Invest. 2021 Nov;33(6):1188-1192. doi: 10.1177/10406387211032927. Epub 2021 Sep 22. PMID: 34550025; PMCID: PMC8546463.
  35. Rajakaruna RS, Capps-Ludwig D, Durden LA, Eremeeva ME. DETECTION OF RICKETTSIA AND BARTONELLA IN FLEAS AND TICKS COLLECTED FROM PETS AT VETERINARY CLINICS IN GEORGIA, UNITED STATES. J Parasitol. 2025 Mar 1;111(2):113-122. doi: 10.1645/24-109. PMID: 40090362.
  36. Banerjee SN, Banerjee M, Smith JA, Fernando M. Lyme disease in British Columbia. VII Lyme Disease Foundation International Scientific Conference. Stamford, Connecticut. 1994. p. 88.
  37. Banerjee SN, Banerjee M, Smith JA, Fernando M. Lyme Disease in British Columbia-An Update. BC Med J. 1994;36:540-541.
  38. Scott JD, Anderson JF, Durden LA. First detection of Lyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi in ticks collected from a raptor in Canada. J Vet Sci Med Diagn. 2013;2:4.
  39. Scott JD, Anderson JF, Durden LA, Smith ML, Manord JM, Clark KL. Ticks parasitizing gallinaceous birds in Canada and first record of Borrelia burgdorferi-infected Ixodes pacificus (Acari: Ixodidae) from California Quail. Syst Appl Acar. 2016;21:1-12.
  40. Scott JD, Anderson JF, Durden LA. Widespread dispersal of Borrelia burgdorferi-infected ticks collected from songbirds across Canada. J Parasitol. 2012 Feb;98(1):49-59. doi: 10.1645/GE-2874.1. Epub 2011 Aug 24. PMID: 21864130.
  41. Scott JD, McGoey E, Morales A, Pesapane RR. Molecular Detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia odocoilei, Babesia species and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in songbirds. J Biomed Res Environ Sci. 2022;3:1451-1459.
  42. Scott JD, Durden LA, Anderson JF. Infection on prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi in ticks collected from songbirds in far-western Canada. Open J An Sci. 2015;5:232-242.
  43. Scott JD, Clark KL, Durden LA. Presence of Babesia odocoilei and Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Stricto in a Tick and Dual Parasitism of Amblyomma inornatum and Ixodes scapularis on a Bird in Canada. Healthcare (Basel). 2019 Mar 20;7(1):46. doi: 10.3390/healthcare7010046. PMID: 30897803; PMCID: PMC6473902.
  44. Scott JD, Clark KL, Coble NM, Ballantyne TR. Detection and Transstadial Passage of Babesia Species and Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato in Ticks Collected from Avian and Mammalian Hosts in Canada. Healthcare (Basel). 2019 Dec 2;7(4):155. doi: 10.3390/healthcare7040155. PMID: 31810270; PMCID: PMC6955799.
  45. Scott JD, Pascoe EL, Sajid MS, Foley JE. Detection of Babesia odocoilei in Ixodes scapularis Ticks Collected from Songbirds in Ontario and Quebec, Canada. Pathogens. 2020 Sep 24;9(10):781. doi: 10.3390/pathogens9100781. PMID: 32987727; PMCID: PMC7598643.
  46. Scott JD, Pascoe EL, Sajid MS, Foley JE. Detection of Babesia odocoilei in Ixodes scapularis Ticks Collected in Southern Ontario, Canada. Pathogens. 2021 Mar 10;10(3):327. doi: 10.3390/pathogens10030327. PMID: 33802071; PMCID: PMC7999371.
  47. Scott JD, Pesapane RR. Detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia odocoilei, Babesia sp., Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato, and Hepatozoon canis in Ixodes scapularis Ticks Collected in Eastern Canada. Pathogens. 2021 Oct 1;10(10):1265. doi: 10.3390/pathogens10101265. PMID: 34684214; PMCID: PMC8541619.
  48. Scott JD, Clark KL, Foley JE, Bierman BC, Durden LA. Far-Reaching Dispersal of Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato-Infected Blacklegged Ticks by Migratory Songbirds in Canada. Healthcare (Basel). 2018 Jul 25;6(3):89. doi: 10.3390/healthcare6030089. PMID: 30044388; PMCID: PMC6164468.
  49. Scott JD, Fernando K, Banerjee SN, Durden LA, Byrne SK, Banerjee M, Mann RB, Morshed MG. Birds disperse ixodid (Acari: Ixodidae) and Borrelia burgdorferi-infected ticks in Canada. J Med Entomol. 2001 Jul;38(4):493-500. doi: 10.1603/0022-2585-38.4.493. PMID: 11476328.
  50. Eisen RJ, Eisen L, Beard CB. County-Scale Distribution of Ixodes scapularis and Ixodes pacificus (Acari: Ixodidae) in the Continental United States. J Med Entomol. 2016 Mar;53(2):349-86. doi: 10.1093/jme/tjv237. PMID: 26783367; PMCID: PMC4844559.
  51. Scott JD, Foley JE, Clark KL, Anderson JF, Durden LA, Manord JM, Smith ML. Established Population of Blacklegged Ticks with High Infection Prevalence for the Lyme Disease Bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato, on Corkscrew Island, Kenora District, Ontario. Int J Med Sci. 2016 Oct 27;13(11):881-891. doi: 10.7150/ijms.16922. PMID: 27877080; PMCID: PMC5118759.
  52. Kollars TM Jr, Oliver JH Jr, Kollars PG, Durden LA. Seasonal activity and host associations of Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) in southeastern Missouri. J Med Entomol. 1999 Nov;36(6):720-6. doi: 10.1093/jmedent/36.6.720. PMID: 10593072.
  53. Jalovecka M, Sojka D, Ascencio M, Schnittger L. Babesia Life Cycle - When Phylogeny Meets Biology. Trends Parasitol. 2019 May;35(5):356-368. doi: 10.1016/j.pt.2019.01.007. Epub 2019 Feb 4. PMID: 30733093.
  54. Newbold C, Craig A, Kyes S, Rowe A, Fernandez-Reyes D, Fagan T. Cytoadherence, pathogenesis and the infected red cell surface in Plasmodium falciparum. Int J Parasitol. 1999 Jun;29(6):927-37. doi: 10.1016/s0020-7519(99)00049-1. PMID: 10480730.
  55. Schetters T. Mechanisms Involved in the Persistence of Babesia canis Infection in Dogs. Pathogens. 2019 Jun 29;8(3):94. doi: 10.3390/pathogens8030094. PMID: 31261942; PMCID: PMC6789894.
  56. Allred DR, Al-Khedery B. Antigenic variation and cytoadhesion in Babesia bovis and Plasmodium falciparum: different logics achieve the same goal. Mol Biochem Parasitol. 2004 Mar;134(1):27-35. doi: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2003.09.012. PMID: 14747140.
  57. Cameron D. Babesia symptoms can be deadly: a family’s story. 2021.
  58. Breitschwerdt EB, Maggi RG, Robveille C, Kingston E. Bartonella henselae, Babesia odocoilei and Babesia divergens-like MO-1 infection in the brain of a child with seizures, mycotoxin exposure and suspected Rasmussen's encephalitis. J Cent Nerv Syst Dis. 2025 Mar 12;17:11795735251322456. doi: 10.1177/11795735251322456. PMID: 40083671; PMCID: PMC11905044.
  59. Yang X, Wang N, Ren S, Hu Y, Wang H, Ji A, Cao L, Li M, Liu J, Wang H. Phosphorylation regulation of cardiac proteins in Babesia microti infected mice in an effort to restore heart function. Parasit Vectors. 2022 Mar 21;15(1):98. doi: 10.1186/s13071-022-05233-7. PMID: 35313969; PMCID: PMC8935697.
  60. Cameron D. Why single-dose doxycycline after a tick bite is bad medicine. 2025.
  61. Rawls W. Understanding Babesia. 2017.


Comments


Swift, Reliable, and studious. We aim to cherish the world by publishing precise knowledge.

  • Brown University Library
  • University of Glasgow Library
  • University of Pennsylvania, Penn Library
  • University of Amsterdam Library
  • The University of British Columbia Library
  • UC Berkeley’s Library
  • MIT Libraries
  • Kings College London University
  • University of Texas Libraries
  • UNSW Sidney Library
  • The University of Hong Kong Libraries
  • UC Santa Barbara Library
  • University of Toronto Libraries
  • University of Oxford Library
  • Australian National University
  • ScienceOpen
  • UIC Library
  • KAUST University Library
  • Cardiff University Library
  • Ball State University Library
  • Duke University Library
  • Rutgers University Library
  • Air University Library
  • UNT University of North Texas
  • Washington Research Library Consortium
  • Penn State University Library
  • Georgetown Library
  • Princeton University Library
  • Science Gate
  • Internet Archive
  • WashingTon State University Library
  • Dimensions
  • Zenodo
  • OpenAire
  • Index Copernicus International
  • icmje
  •  International Scientific Indexing (ISI)
  • Sherpa Romeo
  • ResearchGate
  • Universidad De Lima
  • WorldCat
  • JCU Discovery
  • McGill
  • National University of Singepore Libraries
  • SearchIT
  • Scilit
  • SemantiScholar
  • Base Search
  • VU
  • KB
  • Publons
  • oaji
  • Harvard University
  • sjsu-library
  • UWLSearch
  • Florida Institute of Technology
  • CrossRef
  • LUBsearch
  • Universitat de Paris
  • Technical University of Denmark
  • ResearchBIB
  • Google Scholar
  • Microsoft Academic Search