American Robins as Reservoir Hosts for Lyme Disease
Author Information
Author(s): Dania Richter, Andrew Spielman, Nicholas Komar, Franz-Rainer Matuschka
Primary Institution: Harvard School of Public Health; Charite, Medizinische Fakultat der Humboldt-Universitat zu Berlin
Hypothesis
Are American robins competent reservoir hosts for Lyme disease spirochetes?
Conclusion
American robins can become infectious to vector ticks after exposure to Lyme disease spirochetes, but their infectivity wanes more rapidly than that of reservoir mice.
Supporting Evidence
- American robins acquired infection from infected nymphal ticks and became infectious to larval ticks.
- Robins remained susceptible to reinfection and could become infectious again after initial infectivity waned.
- Almost all ticks that fed on infected robins became infected themselves.
Takeaway
American robins can get sick from Lyme disease and can spread it to ticks, but they don't stay sick for very long.
Methodology
The study involved capturing American robins, exposing them to infected ticks, and evaluating their ability to infect larval ticks over time.
Limitations
The prevalence of Lyme disease spirochetes in American robins in natural settings has not been determined.
Participant Demographics
American robins captured in Brookline, MA.
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