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In the United States, there has been a steady increase in diagnosed cases of tick-borne diseases in people, most notably Lyme disease. The pathogen that causes Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi, is transmitted by the blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis). Several small mammals are considered key reservoirs of this pathogen and are frequently-used hosts by blacklegged ticks. However, limited studies have evaluated between-species host use by ticks. This study compared I. scapularis burdens and tick-associated pathogen presence in wild-caught Clethrionomys gapperi (southern red-backed voles) and Peromyscus spp. (white-footed mice) in forested areas where the habitat of both species overlapped. Rodent trapping data collected over two summers showed a significant difference in the average tick burden between species. Adult Peromyscus spp. had an overall mean of 4.03 ticks per capture, while adult C. gapperi had a mean of 0.47 ticks per capture. There was a significant association between B. burgdorferi infection and host species with more Peromyscus spp. positive samples than C. gapperi (65.8% and 10.2%, respectively). This work confirms significant differences in tick-host use and pathogen presence between sympatric rodent species. It is critical to understand tick-host interactions and tick distributions to develop effective and efficient tick control methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deer keds, such as Lipoptena cervi Linnaeus (Diptera: Hippoboscidae), are blood‐feeding flies from which several human and animal pathogens have been detected, including Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato Johnson (Spirochaetales: Borreliaceae), the causative agent of Lyme disease. Cervids (Artiodactyla: Cervidae), which are the primary hosts of deer keds, are not natural reservoirs of B. burgdorferi sl, and it has been suggested that deer keds may acquire bacterial pathogens via co‐feeding near infected ticks. We screened L. cervi (n = 306) and Ixodes scapularis Say (Ixodida: Ixodidae) (n = 315) collected from 38 white‐tailed deer in Pennsylvania for the family Anaplasmataceae, Bartonella spp. (Hyphomicrobiales: Bartonellaceae), Borrelia spp., and Rickettsia spp. (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae). Limited similarity in the bacterial DNA detected between these ectoparasites per host suggested that co‐feeding may not be a mechanism by which deer keds acquire these bacteria. The feeding biology and life history of deer keds may impact the observed results, as could the season when specimens were collected. We separately screened L. cervi (n = 410), L. mazamae Róndani (n = 13), L. depressa Say (n = 10), and Neolipoptena ferrisi Bequaert (n = 14) collections from locations within the United States and Canada for the same pathogens. These results highlight the need to further study deer ked‐host and deer ked‐tick relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the safety of repeated applications of permethrin concentrations (0% control, 1.5%, 5%, and 10%) to the necks and faces of horses and assess the efficacy and longevity of permethrin as an equine tick repellent. ANIMALS 5 healthy adult Quarter Horses. PROCEDURES Each treatment was applied to the neck of each horse (0.01 m 2) 4 times a day, for up to 10 days. An 8-mm biopsy was taken to evaluate postexposure dermal responses. Any treatments that were not withdrawn were applied to a quadrant of the horse’s face 4 times a day, for up to 5 days. For tick bioassays, a treatment was applied to 1 leg of a horse and 5 female blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis) were evaluated as “repelled” or “not repelled” by the treatment. The bioassays were repeated up to 5 days, but treatment application took place only on the first day of the experiment. RESULTS Histological results of neck biopsies indicated that more repeated exposures or higher concentrations resulted in more dermal damage. Tick bioassays showed that 5% and 10% permethrin had the greatest efficacy and longevity as a tick repellent, but the differences in tick repellency were not significant overall. CLINICAL RELEVANCE While there was a nonsignificant trend of higher permethrin concentrations repelling more ticks with longer-lasting residual repellent effects, higher concentrations also produced greater skin damage after repeated exposures. These opposing findings emphasize the need for better tick prevention and control methods that balance safety and effi- cacy for the equine community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deer keds [ Lipoptena cervi (L. 1758)] are ectoparasitic and hematophagous dipterans. Originally native to Northern Europe, L. cervi records in the United States begin in 1907 when they were found in Pennsylvania and New Hampshire. Subsequently, they have been recorded from several states and parasitize many native cervids (Artiodactyla: Cervidae) including white-tailed deer [ Odocoileus virginianus (Zimmerman 1780)]. Concurrently, blacklegged ticks [ Ixodes scapularis (Say 1821)], and cases of Lyme disease are increasing in prevalence in the Northeast. The continued expansion and increase in vectors and vector-borne diseases present an opportunity for study and community outreach. We used a combination of active and passive collection techniques, using deer hunters as community scientists, to collect ectoparasites of deer in Pennsylvania over two hunting seasons (2018–2019, 2019–2020). Community scientists were recruited through Facebook groups, e-mail, and hunting clubs. In total, 1,226 L. cervi and 1,954 I. scapularis were collected from white-tailed deer harvested by the community and deer processors across both hunting seasons. The community collected 298 L. cervi and 472 I. scapularis during the 2018–2019 season. In the same season, 529 L. cervi and 577 I. scapularis were collected from deer processors. For the 2019–2020 season, 225 L. cervi and 381 I. scapularis were collected by the community and 174 L. cervi and 524 I. scapularis were collected from deer processors. Benefits and drawbacks were identified for each collection method and a combination of both methods was found to be most effective in gathering specimens without sacrificing standardization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Background Objectives Study design Methods Results Main limitations Conclusions Ticks can harm horses and transmit diseases, making them a growing concern for owners and veterinarians. Veterinarians play a crucial role in providing advice on tick prevention and control. Yet, no research has examined their perspectives on equine ticks and tick‐borne disease (TBD).The objective was to assess equine veterinarians' experiences, knowledge and practices related to fundamental aspects of tick biology and identification, tick bite prevention and TBD in the United States.This project surveyed equine veterinarians in the United States about their knowledge of ticks and TBD affecting horses using nonprobability convenience sampling. The survey questions were grouped into six categories: respondent demographics, knowledge of ticks and TBDs, tick control option availability, tick and TBD frequency in horses and veterinary education and information availability.Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi‐square analysis and t‐tests. The sample was divided into Northeast and United States veterinarians, and a significance level of p < 0.05 was set. The study aimed to inform continuing education development for veterinarians by assessing their knowledge, practices and perceptions of ticks and TBDs.The results indicate that while equine veterinarians know the importance of TBDs in equine health, knowledge on ticks and TBDs varies significantly.Limitations for the current study include potential response bias and a limited sample from many states.There is a need for increased tick control and prevention options and more animal‐specific resources for tick and TBD prevention. Veterinarians and horse owners require greater education and comprehensive information to prevent tick‐borne illnesses in horses. Collaborations between academia, industry and the human medicine community are suggested to build capacity for training veterinarians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the safety of repeated applications of permethrin concentrations (0% control, 1.5%, 5%, and 10%) to the necks and faces of horses and assess the efficacy and longevity of permethrin as an equine tick repellent., Animals: 5 healthy adult Quarter Horses., Procedures: Each treatment was applied to the neck of each horse (0.01 m2) 4 times a day, for up to 10 days. An 8-mm biopsy was taken to evaluate postexposure dermal responses. Any treatments that were not withdrawn were applied to a quadrant of the horse's face 4 times a day, for up to 5 days. For tick bioassays, a treatment was applied to 1 leg of a horse and 5 female blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis) were evaluated as "repelled" or "not repelled" by the treatment. The bioassays were repeated up to 5 days, but treatment application took place only on the first day of the experiment., Results: Histological results of neck biopsies indicated that more repeated exposures or higher concentrations resulted in more dermal damage. Tick bioassays showed that 5% and 10% permethrin had the greatest efficacy and longevity as a tick repellent, but the differences in tick repellency were not significant overall., Clinical Relevance: While there was a nonsignificant trend of higher permethrin concentrations repelling more ticks with longer-lasting residual repellent effects, higher concentrations also produced greater skin damage after repeated exposures. These opposing findings emphasize the need for better tick prevention and control methods that balance safety and efficacy for the equine community.

African swine fever virus (ASFV) causes a high-consequence foreign animal disease that has emerged along international trade routes. Owing to high lethality and resulting trade sanctions, establishment of this disease in the United States would have devastating economic consequences. ASFV can be transmitted by soft ticks in the genus Ornithodoros or directly between swine, including domestic, feral, and wild swine. Consequently, the spatial risk of ASFV establishment depends on where susceptible animals, with or without competent vectors, co-occur. We synthesized county-level historical records of soft tick occurrence, current maps of feral swine distribution, and domestic swine inventory to evaluate the risk of ASFV establishment and spillover in the United States. Areas of California, Florida, and much of the southwestern United States were classified as high risk for ASFV establishment and spillover should an introduction event occur. Our analyses indicate that California, Texas, Georgia, and Florida are high-priority candidates for proactive risk reduction strategies. Domestic swine are often produced in high-biosecurity environments, mitigating health risks associated with contacting infected hosts and vectors. However, small-scale and organic pig producers in much of the southern United States remain more vulnerable to disease emergence.