Prevention of Lyme Borreliosis Infection after Tick Bites

Abstract Background Lyme borreliosis (LB) is the most frequent tick-borne disease in France. In the absence of a vaccine, LB prevention mainly relies on reducing tick bites. In 2016, the French Ministry of Health launched a national plan against tick-borne infections, including a prevention component. To evaluate the impact of this prevention strategy, we assessed knowledge and practices of tick bite prevention using the 2016 and 2019 national surveys on health attitudes and beliefs known as the French Health Barometer. Methods The Health Barometer is a repeated nationwide phone survey conducted annually on a random sample aged 18 to 75 years living in mainland France. In 2016 and 2019, participants were asked, among others, about their exposure to ticks, their behavior and practices regarding tick bites, and their knowledge about LB and its prevention. Results In 2019, 30% of the population reported a lifetime tick bite and 6% in the last year, an increase from 25% and 4%, respectively, in 2016 (p < 0.001). In 2019, 25% of the population felt exposed to tick bites compared to 23% in 2016 (p < 0.001). The proportion of participants who had heard about LB and who considered themselves well informed respectively increased from 66% and 29% in 2016 to 79% and 41% in 2019, (p < 0.001). In 2019 compared to 2016, a greater part of the French population applied protective measures against tick bites, particularly wearing protective clothing (74% vs 66%, p < 0.001) and regular tick checks and prompt tick removal after exposure (54% vs 47%, p < 0.001). Conclusions A substantial proportion of French residents are exposed to tick bites and apply protective measures. Our findings indicate a trend toward an increased knowledge and awareness of tick bites and LB between 2016 and 2019 in France. Our results can be used to target future information campaigns to specific age groups or at-risk areas in addition to the general population. However, we need to further study the barriers to the use of preventive measures.

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AWARENESS OF LYME BORRELIOSIS OF THE PATIENTS OF TERNOPIL REGIONAL TB DISPENSARY

International Journal of Medicine and Medical Research ◽

10.11603/ijmmr.2413-6077.2017.1.7810 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

L. P. Melnyk ◽

L. A. Hryshchuk ◽

M. Koziol–Montewka ◽

P. S. Tabas ◽

R. O. Klos

Keyword(s):

Nervous System ◽

Lyme Disease ◽

Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽

Lyme Borreliosis ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Epidemiological Data ◽

Sufficient Information ◽

Tick Bites ◽

The World ◽

History Of

Background. Lyme disease has many clinical features similar tothose in sarcoidosis and tuberculosis. Epidemiological data in the world, in particular in Ukraine, proves the increase in Lyme borreliosis incidence. Ternopil region is endemic with Lyme borreliosis.Objective. The research was aimed to investigate the prevalence of infection with Borrelia burgdorferi and epidemiology features of borreliosis among the patients of Ternopil Regional TB Dispensary.Methods. In total, 29 patients were admitted to Departments of Differential Diagnostic, TB Therapy and TB Surgery of Ternopil Regional TB Dispensary in October 2016-January 2017. All the surveyed answered the questions of an integrated international questionnaire, where they noted the area and a number of tick bites, described the removal method, noted the survey for borreliosis pathogen and complaints after tick bites.Results. It was established that 5 respondents had a history of tick bites episodes, but only in one case the patient was examined of borreliosis. Tick bites were noticed in 3 patients with sarcoidosis and 1 with tuberculosis (TB) and exudative pleurisy, respectively.Conclusions. The absence of appeals for medical care, lack of sufficient information on Lyme borreliosis and disuse of preventive measures for tick bites by the interviewed patients of Ternopil regional TB dispensary departments proves the need of improvement of health education on Lyme borreliosis (LB) among this category of population. 24 (82.7%) of 29 respondents did not remember the tick bite. The symptoms of (LB) are similar to those in sarcoidosis and tuberculosis (pleural lesions, heart, joints, nervous system, skin), and the presence of tick bites gives the reasons to examine these patients of Borrelia burgdorferi senso lato.

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Disseminated and chronic Lyme borreliosis in Norway, 1995 – 2004

Eurosurveillance ◽

10.2807/esm.10.10.00568-en ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 10 (10) ◽

pp. 1-2 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

K Nygård ◽

A B Brantsaeter ◽

R Mehl

Keyword(s):

Lyme Borreliosis ◽

Erythema Migrans ◽

Clinical Manifestations ◽

Laboratory Diagnosis ◽

Incidence Rates ◽

Tick Bites ◽

Serological Tests ◽

Clear Trend ◽

Acrodermatitis Chronica Atrophicans ◽

Insect Repellents

Lyme borreliosis is the most common tickborne infection in Norway. All clinical manifestations of Lyme borreliosis other than erythema migrans are notifiable to Folkehelseinstituttet, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. During the period 1995-2004 a total of 1506 cases of disseminated and chronic Lyme borreliosis were reported. Serological tests were the basis for laboratory diagnosis in almost all cases. The annual numbers of cases showed no clear trend over the period, but varied each year between 120 and 253 cases, with the highest number of cases reported in 2004. Seventy five per cent of cases with information on time of onset were in patients who fell ill during the months of June to October. There was marked geographical variation in reported incidence rates, with the highest rates reported from coastal counties in southern and central Norway. Fifty six per cent of the cases were in males and 44% in females. The highest incidence rate was found in children aged between 5 and 9 years. Neuroborreliosis was the most common clinical manifestation (71%), followed by arthritis/arthralgia (22%) and acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans (5%). Forty six per cent of patients were admitted to hospital. Prevention of borreliosis in Norway relies on measures to prevent tick bites, such as use of protective clothing and insect repellents, and early detection and removal of ticks. Antibiotics are generally not recommended for prophylaxis after tick bites in Norway.

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Tick Bites, Clinical Symptoms of Lyme Borreliosis, and Borrelia Antibody Responses in Finnish Army Recruits Training in an Endemic Region during Summer

Military Medicine ◽

10.1093/milmed/160.9.453 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 160 (9) ◽

pp. 453-456 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Jarmo Oksi ◽

Matti K. Viljanen

Keyword(s):

Lyme Borreliosis ◽

Clinical Symptoms ◽

Antibody Responses ◽

Tick Bites ◽

Endemic Region ◽

Army Recruits

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Low rates of ehrlichiosis and Lyme borreliosis in English farmworkers

Epidemiology and Infection ◽

10.1017/s0950268898001514 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 121 (3) ◽

pp. 609-614 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

D. Rh. THOMAS ◽

M. SILLIS ◽

T. J. COLEMAN ◽

S. M. KENCH ◽

N. H. OGDEN ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rural Communities ◽

Lyme Borreliosis ◽

Companion Animals ◽

Tick Bites ◽

Serological Evidence ◽

Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis ◽

Human Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis ◽

History Of ◽

Delays In Diagnosis ◽

Human Monocytic Ehrlichiosis

To determine the occupational significance of tick-borne zoonoses we sought serological evidence of Lyme borreliosis, human monocytic ehrlichiosis (HME) and human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE) in a representative sample of farmworkers. Although around 20% reported ticks on their domestic and companion animals, few (<2% per year) reported being bitten by ticks. Seroprevalence of Lyme borreliosis (0·2%), HME (0·2%) and HGE (1·5%) was low. Those seropositive for HGE were no more likely to report tick bites nor more likely to report ticks on their animals. This study provides evidence that farmworkers in England are exposed to tick-borne zoonoses but that they are uncommon. Since the severity of these diseases is linked to delays in diagnosis and treatment, clinicians should be aware of these diagnoses in patients from rural communities, with or without a self-reported history of tick bite.

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Scientific rationale for medical and preventive measures improvement in lyme disease endemic areas (based on the data of Udmurt Republic)

Kazan medical journal ◽

10.17816/kmj1961 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 94 (4) ◽

pp. 517-522

Author(s):

N G Guznischeva ◽

A A Gilmanov ◽

I G Zakirov

Keyword(s):

Lyme Disease ◽

Lyme Borreliosis ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Erythema Migrans ◽

Tick Bite ◽

Tick Bites ◽

Medical Aid ◽

Udmurt Republic ◽

Endemic Areas ◽

Scientific Rationale

Aim. To provide the scientific rationale for medical and preventive measures improvement in Lyme disease endemic areas. Methods. Epidemiologic and biostatistical analysis of preventive measures holding in Lyme disease endemic areas was performed. Results. A decrease in mean longstanding prevalence of Lyme borreliosis by 31.5% was observed in the Udmurt Republic since 1999 to 2010. The tick-invaded area has increased by 25%, there was an increase in a borrelia-harboring ticks rate by 34.6%. The number of patients seeking medical aid because of the tick bites has increased by 25.4%, which can be attributed to increased social awareness. 62.5% of patients diagnosed with Lyme borreliosis were over 41 years old, the rate of unemployed patients was 61.1%. High prevalence of Lyme borreliosis in peasants living in highly endemic areas (southern part of the Udmurt Republic) related to low medical aid appealability due to tick bites and therefore untimely medical preventive measures, was registered. The prevalence of erythema migrans-free disease has increased 4.3 times. Among the Lyme borreliosis forms associated with erythema migrans, the 1.6 times increase in multiple erythema prevalence was observed, with increase by 24 times in the areas of high disease prevalence. The most severe disease course was observed in patients over 61 years old with erythema migrans-free disease. A single oral dose of doxycycline should be used for disease prevention in all patients seeking medical aid because of the tick bite. Conclusion. The offered preventive algorithm for Lyme disease allowed to prevent the disease development in 99.7% of all cases, the economical efficacy of doxycycline prophylaxis counted on 1 borrelia-harboring tick bite was estimated as 20 400 rubles.

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