Histological staining of tick bite skin biopsies for spirochetes and Powassan virus RNA.

is a vector of several human pathogens in the United States, including the cause of Lyme disease, and Powassan virus (POWV), an emerging cause of severe encephalitis. Skin biopsies from tick bite sites are frequently collected and tested for the presence of spirochetes ( spp.), which remain elusive.

Analysis of Powassan Virus Genome Sequences from Human Cases Reveals Substantial Genetic Diversity with Implications for Molecular Assay Development.

Powassan virus (POWV) is an emerging tick-borne virus that causes severe meningoencephalitis in the United States, Canada, and Russia. Serology is generally the preferred diagnostic modality, but PCR on cerebrospinal fluid, blood, or urine has an important role, particularly in immunocompromised patients who are unable to mount a serologic response. Although the perceived poor sensitivity of PCR in the general population may be due to the biology of infection and health-seeking behavior (with short viremic periods that end before hospital presentation), limitations in assay design may also contribute.

Minor Hosts Have a Major Impact on the Enzootic Transmission of Borrelia burgdorferi.

In the northeast United States, subadult deer ticks feeding on white-footed mice are thought to drive the force of transmission of Borrelia burgdorferi (B. burgdorferi), the agent of Lyme disease. However, control measures targeting mice have produced inconsistent results, suggesting that other animals are significant contributors to enzootic transmission.

Combining short- and long-read sequencing unveils geographically structured diversity in .

is an emerging tick-borne human pathogen in the Northern hemisphere. The aim of the current study was to compare whole genome sequences of isolates from different continents. Using a combination of Illumina and PacBio platforms and a novel genome assembly and plasmid typing pipeline, we reveal that the 21 sequenced isolates and publically available genomes from North America, Asia, and Europe form genetically distinct populations and cluster according to their geographical origin, where distinct species are endemic.

Description of sp. nov. from Florida pumas () from southern Florida, USA.

Previously, a high prevalence of piroplasms has been reported from Florida pumas ( from southern Florida. In the current study, we describe the biological characteristics of a novel species in Florida pumas. Ring-stage trophozoites were morphologically similar to trophozoites of numerous small babesids of felids including , and .