Relapsing Fever in Texas: Distribution of Laboratory Confirmed Cases and the Arthropod Reservoirs

SummaryIn Texas, one hundred cases of relapsing fever were confirmed by demonstration of spirochetes in thick films of the patient's blood, or in blood films of rodents inoculated with a small amount of the patient's blood, during the period June, 1942 through May, 1949. The cases occurred chiefly in the central part of the State, with scattered cases in all but extreme East Texas. During the same period of time, specimens of Ornithodoros turicata, have been taken in 44 Counties, representing all sections of the State but East Texas. In all but 8 of the Counties, pools of the ticks were shown to contain individuals harboring spirochetes.