D. M. Tufts

Host adaptation drives genetic diversity in a vector-borne disease system

The paper investigates genetic diversity in Borrelia burgdorferi across different hosts and finds that genotype-specific host adaptation contributes to maintaining intraspecific diversity and influences disease risk.

Host tropism determination by convergent evolution of immunological evasion in the Lyme disease system

The paper identifies CspA as a determinant of host tropism in Lyme disease bacteria, showing convergent evolution drives transmission differences among vertebrates.

Host specialization in microparasites transmitted by generalist vectors: insights into the cellular and immunological mechanisms

This study investigates host specialization in Lyme disease bacteria by testing different genotypes in reservoir hosts, finding that bacterial persistence depends on adhesion and immune evasion traits.

Lactobacilli and other gastrointestinal microbiota of Peromyscus leucopus, reservoir host for agents of Lyme disease and other zoonoses in North America

The paper characterizes the gut microbiota of Peromyscus leucopus, identifying Lactobacillus species and other microbes, and highlights differences from Mus musculus.

Association of the invasive Haemaphysalis longicornis tick with vertebrate hosts, other native tick vectors, and tick-borne pathogens in New York City

This study investigates the host associations and pathogen transmission potential of the invasive Haemaphysalis longicornis tick in New York City, finding it primarily feeds on medium and large mammals but does not acquire pathogens from these hosts.

Aversion of the invasive Asian longhorned tick to the white-footed mouse, the dominant reservoir of tick-borne pathogens in the United States

This study shows that Asian longhorned ticks avoid white-footed mice, the main reservoir for tick-borne pathogens, and prefer other mammals like cats, dogs, and deer.