# HOST ABUNDANCE AND TRANSMISSION OF IXODES-BORNE ZOONOSES

> **NIH NIH R01** · HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL · 1987 · $137,664

## Abstract

We seek to describe the host-relationships of the vector tick, Ixodes
dammini, and to determine how the abundance and variety of vertebrate hosts
may affect the intensity of transmission of the agents of Lyme disease and
rodent babesiosis.  We shall determine:  (1) how the abundance of
particular reservoir hosts of the tick-borne spirochete, Borrelia
burgdorferi and the piroplasm, Babesia microti, relates to the intensity of
transmission; (2) whether the abundance of certain verebrate hosts may
largely regulate the abundance of the vector tick, Ixodes dammini; and (3)
whether the presence of other vertebrate hosts may limit the geographical
distribution of this tick.  In addition, we shall (4) identify non-host
factors that may affect geographical diversity in the transmission of these
infections, including parasitization by a chalcid wasp, interaction with
other ticks and the presence of genetic diversiy within I. dammini.  We
shall monitor the course of human infection and disease in sites where
these zoonoses affect human health.

We hope to build on these observations in order to identify the main
factors influencing the force of transmission of these agents of human
disease and, ultimately, devise means for protecting human health.  This
work may generate concepts applicable to an understanding of the
transmission dynamics of vector-borne infections in general.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3129076
- **Project number:** 5R01AI019693-05
- **Recipient organization:** HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL
- **SAM.gov UEI:** JDLVAVGYJQ21
- **Principal Investigator:** Andrew Spielman
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1987
- **Award amount:** $137,664
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1983-01-01 → 1989-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3129076

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3129076, HOST ABUNDANCE AND TRANSMISSION OF IXODES-BORNE ZOONOSES (5R01AI019693-05). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3129076. Licensed CC0.

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