Ixodes pacificus Metagenome

Lyme disease, a zoonotic disease, is the most prevalent vector-borne disease in the Northern Hemisphere. Diversity of the vector (tick) microbiome can impact pathogen transmission, yet the biotic and abiotic factors that drive microbiome diversity are largely unresolved, especially under natural, field conditions. Ixodes pacificus is the main vector of Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease, in the western US. The goals of this study are to characterize the Ixodes pacificus tick microbiome across life stage, Borrelia burgdorferi infection status, and known host blood meal. Understanding these differences in tick microbiome diversity may help us better understand I. pacificus vector competency and ultimately disease dynamics.