Tick Boot Camp Podcast

Dr. Bobbi Pritt was featured on the Tick Boot Camp Podcast:

• Coming soon…

About Dr. Bobbi S. Pritt

Dr. Bobbi S. Pritt, M.D., is one of the most influential voices in modern tick-borne disease research and diagnostics. She is a Clinical Microbiologist, Pathologist, and Professor of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic, where she serves as Chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology. Her expertise spans Lyme disease, Borrelia species, Babesia, Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Powassan virus, and emerging vector-borne pathogens.

Dr. Pritt is internationally recognized for discovering new human tick-borne pathogens, developing advanced PCR assays, and improving rapid, accurate diagnosis of infections that are often overlooked or misunderstood.

Why Dr. Pritt Matters in Tick-Borne Disease Research

Dr. Pritt’s work has reshaped the scientific understanding of tick-borne illness in North America. Her discoveries and diagnostic innovations directly impact patient care, clinical awareness, and the future of Lyme disease testing.

Key Contributions

• Discovered and described Borrelia mayonii (2016), a newly recognized cause of Lyme disease with unique clinical features.

• Identified Ehrlichia muris eauclairensis (2011), a human-infecting Ehrlichia species found in the upper Midwest.

• Developed PCR assays for major tick-borne pathogens, including:

  • Borrelia burgdorferi

  • Borrelia miyamotoi

  • Babesia microti

  • Anaplasma phagocytophilum

  • Powassan virus

• Leads research on novel, emerging, and underdiagnosed pathogens in Ixodes scapularis (the blacklegged tick).

• Provides expert analysis of tissue samples (histology/cytology) to identify infections that standard tests miss.

Her laboratory’s assays are used by clinicians across the world via Mayo Clinic Laboratories, making her contributions foundational to modern tick-borne disease detection.

Areas of Specialization

• Lyme disease & Borrelia species

• Babesiosis

• Anaplasmosis & Ehrlichiosis

• Powassan virus

• Relapsing fever Borrelia (Borrelia miyamotoi)

• Novel pathogen discovery

• Molecular diagnostics & PCR assay development

• Vector-borne disease pathology

• Global parasitology

Research Leadership

Dr. Pritt currently serves as:

• Chair, Division of Clinical Microbiology, Mayo Clinic

• Professor, Laboratory Medicine & Pathology

• Editor, Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Clinical Microbiology Reviews

• Former President, Binford-Dammin Society of Infectious Disease Pathologists

• Contributor to CDC Rickettsiology and CDC Parasitic Diseases working groups

Her career includes numerous awards for research, teaching, and clinical excellence.

Impact on Patient Care

Dr. Pritt’s research has led to:

• Faster and more accurate detection of Lyme and co-infections

• Better identification of patients with atypical presentations

• Improved understanding of tick-borne disease ecology

• Earlier diagnosis of severe infections like Powassan virus and Babesia

• Recognition that new pathogens continue to emerge in the U.S.

Her work directly benefits patients who have struggled with misdiagnosis, delayed treatment, or limited clinical awareness.

Why Tick Boot Camp Is Featuring Dr. Pritt

At Tick Boot Camp, we highlight leaders who bring clarity, credibility, and scientific advancement to the fight against Lyme disease and tick-borne illness.
Dr. Bobbi Pritt’s contributions—spanning pathogen discovery, diagnostic innovation, and global research leadership—make her one of the most important researchers in this field today.

She brings unmatched experience to conversations about:

• Why tick-borne diseases are increasing

• What new pathogens we should be watching

• How testing must evolve

• How clinicians can better recognize complex, multi-pathogen infections

Connect With Dr. Pritt

Institution: Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
Specialties: Clinical Microbiology, Parasitology, Vector-Borne Disease Diagnostics
Publications & Research: Accessible through Mayo Clinic’s research portal