scholarly journals Human pathogens associated with the blacklegged tick Ixodes scapularis: a systematic review

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark P. Nelder ◽  
Curtis B. Russell ◽  
Nina Jain Sheehan ◽  
Beate Sander ◽  
Stephen Moore ◽  
...  
Author(s):  
Thomas W Simmons ◽  
Emily N Welch ◽  
Anna B Manges ◽  
Nathan A Peters ◽  
Joseph E Duchamp

Abstract The blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis Say) vectors several bacterial, protozoan, and viral human pathogens. The known distribution, abundance, and phenology of I. scapularis within its estimated range are incomplete. This gap in knowledge is problematic because these factors are important for determining acarological risk of exposure to infected ticks. Consequently, enhanced surveillance of I. scapularis is being promoted and supported in the United States. Although the most common method for collecting I. scapularis is by dragging a sturdy cloth along the ground, there are no published empirical data showing which drag fabric is most effective. We used a randomized block design to directly compare the relative efficiencies of canvas, corduroy, and flannel drags for the collection of larval, nymphal, and adult I. scapularis. Overall, flannel was the most effective fabric and canvas was the least effective. Significantly more adults were collected on flannel than on canvas or corduroy, and the same number of nymphs was collected on flannel and corduroy. Significantly more larvae were collected on flannel than on canvas, but one-third of larvae could not be removed from the former fabric by lint-rolling, and handpicking was difficult. Our findings support the use of flannel drags to maximize sampling effort for collection of I. scapularis, especially adults to determine the presence of ticks and tick-borne pathogens when density and infection prevalence are low, with the caveat that detection and removal of larvae are time-consuming.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark P. Nelder ◽  
Curtis B. Russell ◽  
Antonia Dibernardo ◽  
Katie M. Clow ◽  
Steven Johnson ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The universal nature of the human–companion animal relationship and their shared ticks and tick-borne pathogens offers an opportunity for improving public and veterinary health surveillance. With this in mind, we describe the spatiotemporal trends for blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis) submissions from humans and companion animals in Ontario, along with pathogen prevalence. Methods We tested tick samples submitted through passive surveillance (2011–2017) from humans and companion animals for Borrelia burgdorferi, Borrelia miyamotoi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Babesia microti. We describe pathogen prevalence in ticks from humans and from companion animals and constructed univariable Poisson and negative binomial regression models to explore the spatiotemporal relationship between the rates of tick submissions by host type. Results During the study, there were 17,230 blacklegged tick samples submitted from humans and 4375 from companion animals. Tick submission rates from companion animals were higher than expected in several public health units (PHUs) lacking established tick populations, potentially indicating newly emerging populations. Pathogen prevalence in ticks was higher in PHUs where established blacklegged tick populations exist. Borrelia burgdorferi prevalence was higher in ticks collected from humans (maximum likelihood estimate, MLE = 17.5%; 95% confidence interval, CI 16.97–18.09%) than from companion animals (9.9%, 95% CI 9.15–10.78%). There was no difference in pathogen prevalence in ticks by host type for the remaining pathogens, which were found in less than 1% of tested ticks. The most common co-infection B. burgdorferi + B. miyamotoi occurred in 0.11% of blacklegged ticks from humans and animals combined. Borrelia burgdorferi prevalence was higher in unengorged (21.9%, 95% CI 21.12–22.65%) than engorged ticks (10.0%, 95% CI 9.45–10.56%). There were no consistent and significant spatiotemporal relationships detected via regression models between the annual rates of submission of each host type. Conclusions While B. burgdorferi has been present in blacklegged ticks in Ontario for several decades, other tick-borne pathogens are also present at low prevalence. Blacklegged tick and pathogen surveillance data can be used to monitor risk in human and companion animal populations, and efforts are under consideration to unite surveillance efforts for the different target populations. Graphic Abstract


2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 63-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janice Van Zee ◽  
William C. Black ◽  
Michael Levin ◽  
Jerome Goddard ◽  
Joshua Smith ◽  
...  

2008 ◽  
pp. 530-530
Author(s):  
Colin Berry ◽  
Jason M. Meyer ◽  
Marjorie A. Hoy ◽  
John B. Heppner ◽  
William Tinzaara ◽  
...  

Healthcare ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 59 ◽  
Author(s):  
John D. Scott ◽  
Emily L. Pascoe ◽  
Muhammad S. Sajid ◽  
Janet E. Foley

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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