A phagocytophila p44 DNA copy number amplified from nymphal I scapularis ticks fed on mice and removed after 24, 48, and 72 hours of infestation.

Lines represent average copy number ± SE (n = 3 to 9 ticks per strain per time period). Although there is a trend toward increased DNA copy number at 72 hours after infestation, due to high variability, there are no significant differences noted between strains or within strains over time in the amount of pathogen DNA amplified from ticks.