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University
Shawnee State University
Major
Biology
Presentation Types
Oral Group Presentation
Keywords:
Tick, Electrophoresis, PCR, Lab
Abstract
Ticks are prevalent in Southern Ohio and can serve as a vector for a variety of diseases. Common tick-borne diseases include STARI, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Lyme disease. Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is of increasing concern as it migrates from its original northeast location to the rest of the United States. The goal of this research was to gain a better understanding of the prevalence of B. burgdorferi in Southern Ohio. Ticks were collected from the Southern Ohio area using drag sheets and sweep netting as well as donations from local veterinary clinics. Tick samples were speciated and stored in 70% ethanol. DNA was isolated from individual tick samples using Qiagen columns. The FlaB and OspA genes of B. burgdorferi were amplified by nested PCR, to indicate whether B. burgdorferi is present.
Human Subjects
no
IRB Approval
no
Faculty Mentor Name
Eugene Burns
Faculty Mentor Title
Professor of Biology
Faculty Mentor Academic Department
Natural Sciences
Recommended Citation
Randaisi, Vincent R. and Merritt, Andrew T., "Borrelia burgdorferi Prevalence in Southern Ohio Ticks" (2021). Celebration of Scholarship. 11.
https://digitalcommons.shawnee.edu/cos/2021/day4/11
Borrelia burgdorferi Prevalence in Southern Ohio Ticks
Ticks are prevalent in Southern Ohio and can serve as a vector for a variety of diseases. Common tick-borne diseases include STARI, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Lyme disease. Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is of increasing concern as it migrates from its original northeast location to the rest of the United States. The goal of this research was to gain a better understanding of the prevalence of B. burgdorferi in Southern Ohio. Ticks were collected from the Southern Ohio area using drag sheets and sweep netting as well as donations from local veterinary clinics. Tick samples were speciated and stored in 70% ethanol. DNA was isolated from individual tick samples using Qiagen columns. The FlaB and OspA genes of B. burgdorferi were amplified by nested PCR, to indicate whether B. burgdorferi is present.