Unidentified Rickettsia bacteria in western black-legged ticks
The Ecology and Classification of Rickettsia Species Phylotype G022, an Uncharacterized Bacterium from Ixodes pacificus Ticks
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · HUMBOLDT STATE UNIVERSITY · NIH-11143792
Researchers are looking into whether a newly found Rickettsia bacterium in Pacific Coast ticks might cause illness in people and animals.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | HUMBOLDT STATE UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (ARCATA, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11143792 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you worry about tick-borne illness, this project focuses on a little-known Rickettsia detected in black-legged ticks on the U.S. Pacific Coast. Scientists collect nymph and adult Ixodes pacificus ticks from the field and use genetic tests to detect and measure how often the bacterium appears. They will compare the bacterium’s DNA to other known Rickettsia and run lab experiments to learn whether it has features linked to causing disease. The work combines field surveillance, molecular typing, and laboratory pathogenesis studies to understand its ecology and potential risk.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People living on the U.S. Pacific Coast who have had tick bites, unexplained fever or symptoms after tick exposure, or occupational/outdoor exposure to ticks would be most relevant to this work.
Not a fit: Patients with health issues unrelated to tick exposure or who live far from the Pacific Coast are unlikely to benefit directly from this specific project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify a previously unrecognized cause of tick-borne illness and improve diagnosis, surveillance, and prevention for people and pets in the region.
How similar studies have performed: Similar field and molecular approaches have identified other Rickettsia species that cause human disease, but this particular phylotype (G022) is novel and its role in illness is not yet proven.
Where this research is happening
ARCATA, UNITED STATES
- HUMBOLDT STATE UNIVERSITY — ARCATA, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: ZHONG, JIANMIN — HUMBOLDT STATE UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: ZHONG, JIANMIN
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.