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

Daniel J. Becker; Kristin E. Dyer; Beckett L. Olbrys; Mackenzie G. Hightower; Meagan Allira; Bret M. Demory; Lauren R. Lock; Kiersten Berdette Taylor; Nakib N. Bhata; Selena M. Hernandez; Paul A. Lawson; Noha H. Youssef; Samuel I. Miller; Mostafa S. Elshahed; Taylor B. Verrett; Kerry L. Clark

doi:10.64898/2026.01.13.699129

EcologybioRxivJan 14, 2026

Preprint

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

Daniel J. Becker iD, Kristin E. Dyer iD, Beckett L. Olbrys iD, Mackenzie G. Hightower, Meagan Allira iD, Bret M. Demory, Lauren R. Lock iD, Kiersten Berdette Taylor iD, Nakib N. Bhata iD, Selena M. Hernandez, Paul A. Lawson iD, Noha H. Youssef iD, Samuel I. Miller iD, Mostafa S. Elshahed iD, Taylor B. Verrett iD, Kerry L. Clark iD

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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