Date of Award
Spring 2026
Language
English
Embargo Period
4-30-2026
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
College/School/Department
Department of Biomedical Sciences
Program
Biomedical Sciences
First Advisor
Alexander T Ciota
Committee Members
Gregory Ebel, Cara Pager, April Davis, Linda Styer, Nicholas Mantis, Jan Conn
Keywords
Powassan virus, Deer Tick virus, Heartland virus, Bourbon virus, Ixodes scapularis, Amblyomma americanum
Subject Categories
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Abstract
This dissertation reports important progress for our understanding of emerging and re-emerging tick-borne viruses circulating in North America including Powassan, Deer Tick, Heartland, and Bourbon viruses. Chapter 2 describes important tools for these viruses including multiplex assays for viral and bacterial pathogens in field-collected ticks and mammals, development of full genome sequencing assays and bioinformatic pipelines for evolutionary analysis, and establishment of tick-specific tools for viral isolation and characterization. Chapter 3 focuses on the disease focality of Deer Tick virus, reporting transovarial transmission in nature in Ixodes scapularis for the first time, further evidence to incriminate shrews as potential Deer Tick virus reservoirs, and consequences for regional diversification related to human clinical outcomes. In Chapter 4, the role of alternative tick hosts for Powassan and Deer Tick viruses is explored including historic circulation in Dermacentor variabilis from the 1940s, the first evidence of Powassan virus in Ixodes scapularis, and the first report of Deer Tick virus in Amblyomma americanum in New York State. These unique Powassan and Deer Tick virus strains also displayed evidence of host-specific adaptation and fitness advantages with future implications for vector competence and transmission potential. Chapter 5 sought to explore emerging Heartland and Bourbon virus dynamics in New York State through characterization of the first known isolates from the state. Together this work highlights the dynamic genotypic and phenotypic landscape of tick-borne viruses endemic to New York State .
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Lange, Rachel E., "Viral Diversification and Host-Specific Fitness of Powassan, Heartland, and Bourbon Viruses in New York State" (2026). Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present). 411.
https://scholarsarchive.library.albany.edu/etd/411