Article Category:
Research Article

Ecologic Risk Factors for Infestation of Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. in a Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever-Endemic Area of Eastern Arizona

Maureen K. Brophy Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia;

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Naomi A. Drexler Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia;

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Nathan E. Stone Northern Arizona University Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Flagstaff, Arizona;

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Joseph D. Busch Northern Arizona University Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Flagstaff, Arizona;

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Rebecca Ballard Northern Arizona University Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Flagstaff, Arizona;

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Reanna M. Bourgeois Northern Arizona University Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Flagstaff, Arizona;

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Grant L. Pemberton Northern Arizona University Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Flagstaff, Arizona;

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Christopher D. Paddock Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia;

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Kalanthe Horiuchi Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia;

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Brad J. Biggerstaff Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia;

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Bessie H. Blocher Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia;

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Gilbert J. Kersh Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia;

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Harty Bendle San Carlos Apache Tribe Health and Human Services, San Carlos, Arizona

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David M. Wagner Northern Arizona University Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Flagstaff, Arizona;

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William L. Nicholson Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia;

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Johanna S. Salzer Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia;

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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.24-0485
Volume/Issue:
Ahead of Print
Open access
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Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is a deadly tick-borne disease caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii. An ongoing epidemic of RMSF is affecting tribal communities in Arizona, with nearly 500 cases and 28 deaths since 2003. The San Carlos Apache Tribe has been consistently working to prevent RMSF using tick collars on dogs, pesticide treatments around homes, and increasing education for nearly a decade. Besides monitoring human disease levels and tick burden on dogs, we have little understanding of the long-term impact of prevention practices on tick abundance and infection rates in the peridomestic environment. We evaluated risk factors associated for tick infestation at home sites across the San Carlos Indian Reservation as well as R. rickettsii and Rickettsia massiliae prevalence in off-host ticks. Although the presence of fencing appears protective, the number of nearby structures is the most important risk factor associated with increased adult and nymphal tick abundance, highlighting the impact of a free-roaming dog population.

Author Notes

Disclosures: The opinions expressed in this article are our own and do not reflect the view of the CDC, the Department of Health and Human Services, or the U.S. Government.

Current contact information: Maureen K. Brophy, Christopher D. Paddock, Kalanthe Horiuchi, Brad J. Biggerstaff, Bessie H. Blocher, Gilbert J. Kersh, William L. Nicholson, Johanna S. Salzer, and Rebecca Ballard, Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, E-mails: qvw8@cdc.gov, cdp9@cdc.gov, jqe2@cdc.gov, bkb5@cdc.gov, obi5@cdc.gov, hws7@cdc.gov, wan6@cdc.gov, hio7@cdc.gov, and ar25@cdc.gov. Naomi A. Drexler, Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, E-mail: isj3@cdc.gov. Nathan E. Stone, Joseph D. Busch, Reanna M. Bourgeois, Grant L. Pemberton, and David M. Wagner, Northern Arizona University Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Flagstaff, AZ, E-mails: nathan.stone@nau.edu, joseph.busch@nau.edu, reannamb21@gmail.com, grant.pemberton@nau.edu, and dave.wagner@nau.edu. Harty Bendle, San Carlos Apache Tribe Health and Human Services, San Carlos, AZ, E-mail: harty.bendle@scat-nsn.gov.

Address correspondence to Maureen K. Brophy, Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30307. E-mail: qvw8@cdc.gov
Copyright:
© The author(s) 2025
Received:
17 Jul 2024
|
Accepted:
13 Jan 2025
|
Published Online:
06 May 2025
Cover The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Print ISSN:
0002-9637
Online ISSN:
1476-1645
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