Comparison of Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) Populations and their Habitats in Established and Emerging Lyme Disease Areas in New Jersey

Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease, andBabesia microti, a causative agent of babesiosis, are increasingly implicated in the growing tick-borne disease burden in the northeastern United States. These pathogens are transmitted via the bite of an infected tick vector,Ixodes scapularis, which is capable of harboring and inoculating a host with multiple pathogens simultaneously. Clinical presentation of the diseases is heterogeneous and ranges from mild flu-like symptoms to near-fatal cardiac arrhythmias. While the reason for the variability is not known, the possibility exists that concomitant infection with bothB. burgdorferiandB. microtimay synergistically increase disease severity. In an effort to clarify the current state of understanding regarding coinfection withB. burgdorferiandB. microti, in this review, we discuss the geographical distribution and pathogenesis of Lyme disease and babesiosis in the United States, the immunological response of humans toB. burgdorferiorB. microtiinfection, the existing knowledge regarding coinfection disease pathology, and critical factors that have led to ambiguity in the literature regarding coinfection, in order to eliminate confusion in future experimental design and investigation.

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Infections Caused by Spirochetes: Syphilis, Lyme Disease, Leptospirosis

10.2310/fm.19049 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Patrick Duff

Keyword(s):

Lyme Disease ◽

Latent Infection ◽

Congenital Syphilis ◽

Ixodes Scapularis ◽

Severe Disease ◽

Erythema Migrans ◽

Treponema Pallidum ◽

Mild Disease ◽

Drug Of Choice ◽

In Pregnancy

Syphilis is caused by the spirochete Treponema pallidum. It is classified as primary, secondary, tertiary, and latent infection. If left untreated, syphilis can cause devastating injury to the fetus. The drug of choice for treatment of syphilis in pregnancy is penicillin. Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted by the Ixodes scapularis tick. The principal clinical manifestation of Lyme disease is erythema migrans, but patients may also develop arthritis and cardiac and neurologic abnormalities. Congenital Lyme disease has not been reported. The drug of choice for treatment of Lyme disease in pregnancy is amoxicillin. Leptospirosis is usually acquired from direct contact with urine of infected animals or through contaminated water, soil, or vegetation. Pregnant women with mild disease should be treated with oral amoxicillin. Patients with severe disease should be hospitalized and treated with intravenous penicillin or ampicillin. This review contains 5 figures, 5 tables, and 19 references. Key Words: clinical infection, congenital syphilis, latent infection, leptospirosis, Lyme disease, syphilis

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Relative Risk for Ehrlichiosis and Lyme Disease in an Area Where Vectors for Both Are Sympatric, New Jersey, USA

Emerging Infectious Diseases ◽

10.3201/eid2306.160528 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 23 (6) ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Andrea Egizi ◽

Nina H. Fefferman ◽

Robert A. Jordan

Keyword(s):

New Jersey ◽

Relative Risk ◽

Lyme Disease

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Feasibility of Controlling Ixodes scapularis Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae), the Vector of Lyme Disease, by Parasitoid Augmentation

Journal of Medical Entomology ◽

10.1603/0022-2585-37.5.645 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 37 (5) ◽

pp. 645-652 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

E. F. Knipling ◽

C. D. Steelman

Keyword(s):

Lyme Disease ◽

Ixodes Scapularis

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Monitoring of Nesting Songbirds Detects Established Population of Blacklegged Ticks and Associated Lyme Disease Endemic Area in Canada

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare8010059 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 59 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

John D. Scott ◽

Emily L. Pascoe ◽

Muhammad S. Sajid ◽

Janet E. Foley

Keyword(s):

Lyme Disease ◽

Endemic Area ◽

Ixodes Scapularis ◽

Borrelia Burgdorferi Sensu Lato ◽

Blacklegged Tick ◽

Local Residents ◽

Novel Method ◽

Flab Gene ◽

Local Healthcare ◽

Established Population

This study provides a novel method of documenting established populations of bird-feeding ticks. Single populations of the blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis, and the rabbit tick, Haemaphysalis leporispalustris, were revealed in southwestern Québec, Canada. Blacklegged tick nymphs and, similarly, larval and nymphal rabbit ticks were tested for the Lyme disease bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Bbsl), using PCR and the flagellin (flaB) gene, and 14 (42%) of 33 of blacklegged tick nymphs tested were positive. In contrast, larval and nymphal H. leporsipalustris ticks were negative for Bbsl. The occurrence of Bbsl in I. scapularis nymphs brings to light the presence of a Lyme disease endemic area at this songbird nesting locality. Because our findings denote that this area is a Lyme disease endemic area, and I. scapularis is a human-biting tick, local residents and outdoor workers must take preventive measures to avoid tick bites. Furthermore, local healthcare practitioners must include Lyme disease in their differential diagnosis.

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