# A comprehensive method on black-legged tick larvae and nymph feeding on mice to study Lyme disease transmission and acquisition

## TL;DR

This paper introduces a detailed method for studying how black-legged tick larvae and nymphs transmit Lyme disease to mice, helping understand and control tick-borne infections.

## Contribution

The study provides a comprehensive and visual method for analyzing tick feeding and Borrelia transmission in mice.

## Key findings

- Detailed descriptions and visual references for larval and nymphal tick feeding on mice are provided.
- The method focuses on transmission and acquisition of Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu stricto).
- The approach can be applied to study other tick-borne diseases and vectorial capacity.

## Abstract

Tick-borne diseases are a growing public health concern in the United States, with cases rising steadily each year. Lyme borreliosis, or Lyme disease, remains the most prevalent, affecting approximately 476,000 individuals annually. Human-driven changes in climate and ecosystems have expanded the habitat of pathogen-carrying ticks, facilitating the spread of these infections. Additionally, increased instances of tick-borne diseases transmission through human tissues have been reported. Despite ongoing efforts to manage these infections, their incidence continues to rise. To develop effective control measures against these diseases and prevent the transmission of tick-borne infections through human and animal tissues, it is very important to develop detection assays and understand the transmission mechanisms of tick-borne infections. In this study, we provide detailed descriptions and visual references for larval and nymphal tick feeding on mice, focusing on the transmission and acquisition of Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu stricto). These methodologies can be applied to study other tick-borne diseases, tick vectorial capacity, and tick biology, aiding in the development of detection strategies to combat these infections.