Test Article

Ticks collected from 15 locations in Quince Orchard Park

Study Conducted

Tick Collection and testing for the following pathogens: 1. Borrelia burgdorferi

2. Borrelia lonestari 3. Anaplasma phagocytophilum

4. Babesia species

Testing Facility

Clongen Laboratories, LLC 211 Perry Parkway, Suite 6

Gaithersburg, MD 20877

Staff Members

Anna Ralchenko, B.S. Heather Wingate, B.S.

Erica Fratz, Ph.D. Maria Sarakhman, B.S.

Aseem Peshwa Ahmed Kilani, Ph.D.

7/3/2014 Ahmed F. Kilani, Ph.D. MT (ASCP) Study Completion Date Study Director

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Procedure for Tick Drag – Quince Orchard Park – Gaithersburg, MD 20878

In order to collect ticks, a white sheet measuring 4’x4’ was attached to a six foot long flag pole. The sheet was dragged over areas of mainly high grass and in shady areas where deer were believed to rest. The ticks were collected using tweezers and were stored in microcentrifuge tubes labeled with the location the tick was collected from. The tubes were later transferred to the laboratory and tested. The procedure was performed on 6/24/2014. The following is a breakdown of the ticks collected:

Area # Number of Ticks Tick species

1 5 Amblyomma americanum, Lone Star

2 0 NA 3 0 NA

4 7 Amblyomma americanum, Lone Star

5 4 Amblyomma americanum, Lone Star

6 5 Amblyomma americanum, Lone Star

7 0 NA 8 0 NA 9 0 NA

10 0 NA

11 3 Amblyomma americanum, Lone Star

12 11 Amblyomma americanum, Lone Star

13 0 NA

14 3 Amblyomma americanum, Lone Star

15 7 5 Amblyomma americanum,

Lone Star and 2 Dermacentor variabilis, American Dog

Ticks

Total 45

The locations instead in the table are shown in the table on page 3.

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Summary of the test results

Area# Borrelia burgdorferi

Borrelia lonestari

Anaplasma phagocytophilum

Babesia species

1 Negative Negative Negative Negative 4 Negative Negative Negative Positive 5 Negative Negative Negative Negative 6 Negative Negative Negative Negative

11 Negative Positive Negative Positive 12 Negative Negative Positive Positive 14 Negative Negative Negative Negative 15 Negative Positive Negative Positive

Rates of Positive Results

Test Percentage

Borrelia lonestari 25% Anaplasma phagocytophilum 13%

Babesia species 50%

Borrelia lonestari

Anaplasma phagocytophilum

Babesia species

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Comments: It is noteworthy that the ticks collected from the Quince Orchard Park development were of the Amblyomma americanum, Lone Star species. The CDC site and others report that this tick is found in the eastern, southeastern and south-central states although the range has expanded over the past two to three decades. It is known to be an aggressive species of ticks and has a variety of hosts. It is alarming that 50% of all tick populations collected tested positive for Babesia species while 25% of all isolated ticks tested positive for Borrelia lonestari. The tick collection was carried out late morning and mid afternoon which are not considered peak times for tick feeding. Despite that, finding ticks a few yards away from homes took minutes. As shown in the results, ticks carried the most diseases in areas #11, #12 and #15 on Orchard ridge and in the wooded areas behind homes on Swanton Lane and the Tennis court. We believe that there are much larger numbers of ticks that can be picked up during evening and early morning hours. The rates of infection are considerably high based on the rates of test results our laboratory has seen over the past ten years from different areas. As we believe that the same herd of deer that lives mainly in the Meadows area (#4, #5, #6, #10, #11 and #12) owned by the city of Gaithersburg, it is highly likely that by the end of the summer ticks from different parts of the development would feed on the same herd of deer. Furthermore, deer from NIST cross the fence on a daily basis and roam in very close proximity to homes. It is highly likely that ticks fall off of deer as they travel in the residential neighborhoods thereby increasing the chance for tick bites in front and back lawns. We do not recommend venturing beyond the tree line on Orchard Ridge Drive as we found that this wooded area is heavily infested. Warning signs would be beneficial to alert residents of the risk of ticks in the area. We cannot over emphasize the importance of using tick repellants and possibly insecticides known to be effective against ticks to spray lawns if you suspect that rodents and deer venture too close to your property. If bitten by a tick, save it in a zip lock bag and schedule a visit with your physician. Tick testing is highly recommended, especially if signs of inflammation start appearing early on following a tick bite. It is well documented that Lyme disease can be cured if caught early. Late diagnosis complicates the course of treatment and the duration.