What biological factor lowers Lyme disease risk in the Pacific Northwest?
Answer
A protein in Western fence lizard blood that kills Lyme bacteria
The Western black-legged tick frequently feeds on Western fence lizards in this region. The blood of these lizards contains a specific protein that neutralizes the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, which is the pathogen responsible for Lyme disease. Because the ticks spend a significant amount of their feeding time on these lizards instead of small mammals, they are less likely to become carriers of the infection.
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