bioRxivEcologyPreprint
Relapsing fever Borrelia puertoricensis in migratory Mexican free-tailed bats, Oklahoma, USA, 2022-2023
Daniel J. BeckeriD, Kristin E. DyeriD, Beckett L. OlbrysiD, Mackenzie G. Hightower, Meagan AlliraiD, Bret M. Demory, Lauren R. LockiD, Kiersten Berdette TayloriD, Nakib N. BhataiD, Selena M. Hernandez, Paul A. LawsoniD, Noha H. YoussefiD, Samuel I. MilleriD, Mostafa S. ElshahediD, Taylor B. VerrettiD, Kerry L. ClarkiD
Abstract
We detected Borrelia puertoricensis in migratory Mexican free-tailed bats sampled in Oklahoma during 2022 and 2023, representing only the second detection of this relapsing fever species in wild vertebrates. Although prevalence was low (0.79%), our findings suggest migratory bats could contribute to dispersal of tick-borne pathogens in North America.
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