Relapsing fever Borrelia puertoricensis in migratory Mexican free-tailed bats, Oklahoma, USA, 2022–2023

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) 2026 Preprint Open access

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Authors: Daniel J. Becker, Kristin E. Dyer, Beckett L. Olbrys, Mackenzie G. Hightower, Meagan Allira, Bret Demory, Lauren R. Lock, Kiersten Berdette Taylor, Nakib N. Bhata, Selena M. Hernandez, Paul A. Lawson, Noha H. Youssef
+4 more Samuel L. Miller, Mostafa S. Elshahed, Taylor B. Verrett, Kerry L. Clark
DOI: 10.64898/2026.01.13.699129
Cited by: 1
References: 15

Abstract

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.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Bat Biology and Ecology Studies Rabies epidemiology and control Viral Infections and Vectors

Publication details

Journal / source
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
Publisher
openRxiv
Publication date
14 January 2026
Language
EN
Document type
Preprint