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

Becker, D.; Dyer, K.; Olbrys, B.; Hightower, M.; Allira, M.; Demory, B.; Lock, L.; Taylor, K.; Bhata, N.; Hernandez, S.; Lawson, P.; Youssef, N.; Miller, S.; Elshahed, M.; Verrett, T.; Clark, K.

doi:10.64898/2026.01.13.699129

bioRxiv · 10.64898/2026.01.13.699129

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

Becker, D.·Dyer, K.·Olbrys, B.·Hightower, M.·Allira, M.·Demory, B.·Lock, L.·Taylor, K.·Bhata, N.·Hernandez, S.·Lawson, P.·Youssef, N.·Miller, S.·Elshahed, M.·Verrett, T.·Clark, K.

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Abstract

We detected Borrelia puertoricensis 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.

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Becker, D., Dyer, K., Olbrys, B., Hightower, M., Allira, M., Demory, B., Lock, L., Taylor, K., Bhata, N., Hernandez, S., Lawson, P., Youssef, N., Miller, S., Elshahed, M., Verrett, T., Clark, K.. 2026-01-14. Relapsing fever Borrelia puertoricensis in migratory Mexican free-tailed bats, Oklahoma, USA, 2022-2023. https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.01.13.699129

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