Predicting spatio-temporal population patterns of , the Lyme disease pathogen.

The causative bacterium of Lyme disease, , expanded from an undetected human pathogen into the etiologic agent of the most common vector-borne disease in the United States over the last several decades. Systematic field collections of the tick vector reveal increases in the geographic range and prevalence of ticks that coincided with increases in human Lyme disease incidence across New York State.We investigate the impact of environmental features on the population dynamics of .

Spatio-temporal variation in environmental features predicts the distribution and abundance of Ixodes scapularis.

Many species have experienced dramatic changes in both geographic range and population sizes in recent history. Increases in the geographic range or population size of disease vectors have public health relevance as these increases often precipitate the emergence of infectious diseases in human populations. Accurately identifying environmental factors affecting the biogeographic patterns of vector species is a long-standing analytical challenge, stemming from a paucity of data capturing periods of rapid changes in vector demographics.

Pseudo-Romaña Sign Due to Botfly Infestation.

We report a patient who presented with unilateral periorbital edema after a short-term travel to an endemic area for Chagas disease and exposure to triatomine (reduviid) bugs. The diagnosis, however, was furuncular myiasis, not Chagas disease. This case emphasizes that there are multiple parasitic agents besides that may be associated with clinical findings consistent with Romaña sign.

A gynandromorph of Culiseta morsitans.

A gynandromorph of Culiseta morsitans was found in a collection made from resting shelters located near the village of Central Square, Oswego County, New York in June of 2004. This is the 1 st report of a gynandromorph of this species. The polar (anterior posterior) gynandromorph possessed a head and legs with male characteristics, and an abdomen with female characteristics.