Borrelia turicatae is the primary cause of tick-borne relapsing fever in southwestern United States.
It is transmitted by the vector, Ornithodoros turicata, an extremely fast feeder among ticks, making it difficult to track transmission.
O. turicata can be found in caves and ground squirrel or prairie dog burrows in the Plains regions of the Southwest.
The epidemiological evidence for B. turicatae causing human infections is strong. Along with fever, patients may experience an incredible range of nonspecific symptoms. The clinical features of relapsing fever may include recurring febrile episodes, chills, nausea, headache, muscle and joint aches, vomiting, lethargy, thrombocytopenia, etc.
Borrella turicatae - IgM
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