Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Daniel J. Salkeld, Danielle M. Lagana, Julie Wachara, W. Tanner Porter, Nathan C. Nieto
Summary: Tick-borne diseases in California, particularly Lyme disease, are influenced by the local host ecology and prevalence of zoonotic diseases. Surveillance scale can impact the reported infection prevalence, and understanding multiple pathogen species in the same habitat is crucial for interpreting local pathogen occurrence. Neglected habitats, such as coastal chaparral, may harbor a variety of tick-borne pathogens, emphasizing the need for local-scale data descriptions rather than aggregated data.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Jairo Alfonso Mendoza-Roldan, Giovanni Benelli, Marcos Antonio Bezerra-Santos, Viet-Linh Nguyen, Giuseppe Conte, Roberta Iatta, Tommaso Furlanello, Domenico Otranto
Summary: This study assessed the prevalence and distribution of tick-borne pathogens in clinically suspect dogs from three macro areas in Italy over a 15-year period. The results showed high seroprevalence and wide distribution of the four key pathogens, advocating for integrative control strategies for their prevention.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Review
Microbiology
Imran Farooq, Tara J. Moriarty
Summary: Tick-borne infectious diseases can affect various tissues and organs, including bone, which is one of the most multifunctional structures in the human body. Research on the impact of tick-borne pathogens on bones is scarce, with evidence of eight different tick-borne diseases affecting bone. Pathological bone effects commonly associated with tick-borne infections include disruption of bone marrow function and bone loss. Further investigation into this topic is warranted given the preliminary nature of existing research.
Article
Parasitology
Ekaterina K. Lagunova, Natalia A. Liapunova, Davaakhu Tuul, Gerechuluun Otgonsuren, Davaadorj Nomin, Nyamdorj Erdenebat, Davaajav Abmed, Galina A. Danchinova, Kozue Sato, Hiroki Kawabata, Maxim A. Khasnatinov
Summary: Ticks in Mongolia carry multiple tick-borne pathogens, including Borrelia spp. and relapsing fever agents. These pathogens persist independently in ticks, except for a possible shared circulation mode between A. phagocytophilum and Ehrlichia sp. Furthermore, the prevalence and spirochete load of Lyme disease and relapsing fever agents differ in ticks, suggesting different ecological niches.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Carlo Andrea Cossu, Nicola E. Collins, Marinda C. Oosthuizen, Maria Luisa Menandro, Raksha Vasantrai Bhoora, Ilse Vorster, Rudi Cassini, Hein Stoltsz, Melvyn Quan, Henriette van Heerden
Summary: Ticks in Africa remain a major obstacle in the livestock industry due to tick-borne pathogens. This study conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the distribution and prevalence of these pathogens in African ticks. The highest prevalence was found for Rickettsia spp., R. africae, R. conorii, A. marginale, E. ruminantium, and E. canis. The prevalence of C. burnetii was low, but higher for Coxiella spp. and Coxiella-like endosymbionts. The study also identified the effect of tick genera, tick species, country, and other variables on the epidemiology of these pathogens in ticks.
Article
Microbiology
Miroslaw M. Michalski, Katarzyna Kubiak, Magdalena Szczotko, Malgorzata Dmitryjuk
Summary: This study in north-eastern Poland focused on ticks removed from wild cervids and boars to examine the presence of Borrelia species, Rickettsia species, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum. The results showed that almost 40% of the collected ticks were infected, with A. phagocytophilum and Rickettsia species being the most prevalent. Different species of Borrelia were also identified, with Borrelia species only found in ticks collected from cervids. The study revealed significant differences in pathogen affinity to tick species, with Borrelia species and A. phagocytophilum more commonly detected in Ixodes ricinus than in Dermacentor reticulatus.
Article
Microbiology
Kimberly J. Ledger, Lorenza Beati, Samantha M. Wisely
Summary: This study aimed to describe the occurrence of ticks and tick-borne pathogens in different land use types in southern Africa. Through molecular techniques, 1716 ticks were screened for infection, revealing multiple pathogen species across seven tick species collected. The findings suggest that tick species and the pathogens they carry may vary according to land use, highlighting the importance of comprehensive surveillance in understanding the diversity and ecology of tick-borne pathogens.
Article
Microbiology
Dennis Getange, Joel L. Bargul, Esther Kanduma, Marisol Collins, Boku Bodha, Diba Denge, Tatenda Chiuya, Naftaly Githaka, Mario Younan, Eric M. Fevre, Lesley Bell-Sakyi, Jandouwe Villinger
Summary: The study revealed a high diversity of ticks and tick-borne pathogens associated with camels and co-grazing sheep in northern Kenya. In addition, the findings suggest that camels and/or the ticks infesting them serve as reservoirs for zoonotic diseases, posing a public health threat to pastoralist communities.
Article
Biology
Anne L. Sapiro, Beth M. Hayes, Regan F. Volk, Jenny Y. Zhang, Diane M. Brooks, Calla Martyn, Atanas Radkov, Ziyi Zhao, Margie Kinnersley, Patrick R. Secor, Balyn W. Zaro, Seemay Chou
Summary: This study longitudinally defined the global transcriptomic landscape of Bb inside nymphal Ixodes scapularis ticks during a transmitting bloodmeal. It identified 192 Bb genes that substantially change expression during the bloodmeal, many of which encode proteins located in the cell envelope or proteins of unknown function. Mass spectrometry was used to identify candidate tick proteins that physically interact with Bb.
Article
Microbiology
Zhongqiu Teng, Yan Shi, Na Zhao, Xue Zhang, Xiaojing Jin, Jia He, Baohong Xu, Tian Qin
Summary: Ticks and tick-borne pathogens pose a significant threat to human and animal health worldwide. A study conducted in Hebei Province, China, collected 646 Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks from free-ranging domestic sheep. PCR assays and sequence analysis revealed the presence of zoonotic and veterinary important tick-borne pathogens, including Rickettsia, Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Borrelia, Theileria, and Hepatozoon spp. The study provides valuable data for controlling ticks and tick-borne diseases in the region.
Review
Microbiology
Pierre H. Boyer, Cedric Lenormand, Benoit Jaulhac, Emilie Talagrand-Reboul
Summary: Co-infections in tick-borne diseases are common, involving both ticks carrying multiple pathogenic microorganisms and humans being simultaneously infected with multiple tick-borne microorganisms. A systematic review found possible co-infections between Lyme borreliosis and other tick-borne microorganisms. Most cases of co-infections were characterized by patients having one tick-borne disease and antibodies against another tick-borne microorganism. Co-disease was particularly frequent in patients with high fever and erythema migrans or neurological symptoms linked to tick-borne encephalitis virus or neuroborreliosis.
Article
Parasitology
Asmaa A. Hegab, Hussein M. Omar, Mai Abuowarda, Souzan G. Ghattas, Nisreen E. Mahmoud, Magdy M. Fahmy
Summary: The study aimed to screen and genetically identify tick-borne pathogens in dogs and associated ticks in Egypt. The prevalence of TBPs in dogs was 23.56%, with Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, and Babesia being the most common. The molecular prevalence rate of TBPs was 25.81% in dog blood samples and 29.17% in ticks, with various species of TBPs detected, including Hepatozoon canis and Anaplasma marginale being reported for the first time in Egypt.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Jamil N. Kanji, Abraam Isaac, Daniel Gregson, Monika Mierzejewski, Danny Shpeley, Pauline Tomlin, Michael Groeschel, L. Robbin Lindsay, Lisa Lachance, Kinga Kowalewska-Grochowska
Summary: This study retrospectively analyzed tick species and quantity recovered from humans in Alberta over a 19-year period, and conducted molecular testing for pathogens associated with Ixodes scapularis and I. pacificus. Dermacentor ticks were the most common, followed by Ixodes and Amblyomma. The risk of tick-borne pathogen exposure, such as Lyme disease, in Alberta remains low.
EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Ji-Ye Seo, Yu-Jung Kim, Seong-Yoon Kim, Hee-Il Lee
Summary: This study investigated tick-borne bacterial pathogens in ticks collected from humans in the Republic of Korea (ROK) in 2021. The results showed that ticks in the ROK carried various pathogens, including Rickettsia, Anaplasma, and Ehrlichia. This study provides important data for understanding the risk of tick contact and developing public health strategies for tick-borne diseases.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Erik Foster, James Burtis, Jennifer L. Sidge, Jean Tsao, Jenna Bjork, Gongping Liu, David F. Neitzel, Xia Lee, Susan Paskewitz, Diane Caporale, Rebecca J. Eisen
Summary: The geographic range of the blacklegged tick and its associated human pathogens has expanded, increasing the risk for tick-borne diseases. Understanding the time and location of potential exposure to infected ticks is crucial for prevention and diagnosis. Monitoring infection prevalence in ticks aids in assessing risk, but setting a fixed threshold is not feasible due to variability. Reducing repeated sampling does not significantly impact estimates of average infection prevalence.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2022)
Review
Emergency Medicine
Lucas Oliveira J. e Silva, Danya Khoujah, James G. Naples, Jonathan A. Edlow, Danielle J. Gerberi, Christopher R. Carpenter, Fernanda Bellolio
Summary: This umbrella review summarizes the evidence of corticosteroids use for the treatment of vestibular neuritis (VN). The findings suggest that corticosteroids may improve complete caloric recovery in patients with VN, but the impact on clinical improvement is uncertain. Corticosteroids may also lead to minor adverse effects. Therefore, the evidence for the use of corticosteroids in the emergency department for the treatment of VN is limited.
ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Emergency Medicine
Nicholas M. Mohr, Uche Okoro, Karisa K. Harland, Brian M. Fuller, Kalyn Campbell, Morgan B. Swanson, Cole Wymore, Brett Faine, Anne Zepeski, Edith A. Parker, Luke Mack, Amanda Bell, Katie DeJong, Keith Mueller, Elizabeth Chrischilles, Christopher R. Carpenter, Kelli Wallace, Michael P. Jones, Marcia M. Ward
Summary: The study aimed to determine if provider-to-provider tele-emergency department (tele-ED) care is associated with better outcomes for patients in rural emergency departments (EDs). The study used medical records of sepsis patients from rural hospitals in a tele-ED network. The results showed that tele-ED care did not significantly improve 28-day hospital-free days, inhospital mortality, or guideline adherence compared to standard care. However, in a subgroup of patients treated by advanced practice providers, tele-ED was associated with lower mortality rates.
ANNALS OF EMERGENCY MEDICINE
(2023)
Editorial Material
Emergency Medicine
Christopher R. Carpenter, David M. Morrill, Etta Sundberg, Karen Tartt, Suneel Upadhye
ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Critical Care Medicine
Brian M. Fuller, Nicholas M. Mohr, Enyo Ablordeppey, Olivia Roman, Dylan Mittauer, Yan Yan, Marin H. Kollef, Christopher R. Carpenter, Brian W. Roberts
Summary: Mechanically ventilated emergency department (ED) patients experience high morbidity and mortality. In a prior trial, ED-based lung-protective ventilation was associated with improved care delivery and outcomes. This study aims to assess the practice change and clinical outcomes associated with ED lung-protective ventilation.
CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE
(2023)
Letter
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Anita N. Chary, Beatrice Torres, Elise Brickhouse, Ilianna Santangelo, Kyler M. Godwin, Aanand D. Naik, Christopher R. Carpenter, Shan W. Liu, Maura Kennedy
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Soren Kabell Nissen, Marco Rueegg, Christopher R. Carpenter, Tobias Kaeppeli, Jeanette-Marie Busch, Anders Fournaise, Thomas Dreher-Hummel, Roland Bingisser, Mikkel Brabrand, Christian H. Nickel
Summary: Combining frailty and aggregated vital signs accurately predicts 30-day mortality for older people presenting at the Emergency Department. It demonstrates the clinical interaction between frailty and illness severity. The frailty adjusted Prognosis in ED tool (FaP-ED) provides an operational tool for the concept of geriatric urgency in the Emergency Department.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY
(2023)
Review
Emergency Medicine
Danya Khoujah, James G. Naples, Lucas Oliveira J. e Silva, Jonathan A. Edlow, Danielle J. Gerberi, Christopher R. Carpenter, Fernanda Bellolio
Summary: The Epley maneuver is effective in treating posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), leading to higher resolution of vertigo and conversion to negative Dix-Hallpike test. Further studies are needed to investigate its implementation and education of clinicians in the emergency department.
ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE
(2023)
Editorial Material
Medicine, General & Internal
Shan W. Liu, Christopher R. Carpenter
ANNALS OF INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Catherine A. A. Lippi, Holly D. D. Gaff, Robyn M. M. Nadolny, Sadie J. J. Ryan
Summary: This study updates the distribution models of D. variabilis and R. montanensis-infected D. variabilis in the United States, using newer surveillance and testing data. The results show consistency in the predicted habitat suitability for D. variabilis, indicating its generalist habitat requirements. However, there is a slight shift in the updated niche distribution, including more southern areas, highlighting the need for continued monitoring and surveillance.
VECTOR-BORNE AND ZOONOTIC DISEASES
(2023)
Letter
Emergency Medicine
David Newman-Toker, Fernanda Bellolio
ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Lindsey Bidder, Holly Gaff
Summary: Adult unfed Amblyomma americanum, Amblyomma maculatum, and Dermacentor variabilis ticks were placed in environmental containers in southeastern Virginia from May to August 2015. Analysis showed significant differences in survival rates among the three species across all field sites. A. maculatum had a higher risk of mortality compared to A. americanum and D. variabilis, and D. variabilis had a higher risk of mortality compared to A. americanum. There was also higher mortality in flooding-prone habitats compared to drier upland habitats. The study concluded that A. americanum was not negatively affected by increased flooding, while A. maculatum was more susceptible to mortality in both dry and flood-prone environments.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Elizabeth M. Goldberg, Scott M. Dresden, Christopher R. Carpenter
Summary: Reducing adverse drug events among older adults in emergency department settings requires a multidisciplinary approach, including transdisciplinary training and leveraging electronic health records to provide personalized feedback. Although current research does not consistently demonstrate a reduction in prescribing inappropriate medications, it lays the foundation for collaboration between emergency medicine healthcare teams, geriatricians, pharmacists, and health informatics to advance safer medication prescribing during acute care episodes.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Emma J. Godfrey, Elissa Z. Cameron, Graham J. Hickling
Summary: Social learning reduces trial-and-error learning costs and may contribute to trap and bait avoidance in invasive species. This study provides strong evidence of social learning by common brushtail possums and suggests important implications for pest control.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
K. C. Johnstone, P. Garvey, G. J. Hickling
Summary: The study found that intensive kill-trapping selected for survivors with different behaviors compared to the general population. As the operation progressed, the probability of possums being kill-trapped and the effort required for trapping both declined, indicating that the surviving population became less susceptible to traps. Behavioral testing showed that possums captured 20 weeks into the operation were significantly shyer than those captured before the operation. This suggests that personality traits can affect the trappability of possums.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Sandor E. Karpathy, Luke Kingry, Bobbi S. Pritt, Jonathan C. Berry, Neil B. Chilton, Shaun J. Dergousoff, Roberto Cortinas, Sarah W. Sheldon, Stephanie Oatman, Melissa Anacker, Jeannine Petersen, Christopher D. Paddock
Summary: In this study, the DNA of a bacterium similar to Anaplasma bovis was detected in blood samples from 4 patients with suspected tickborne illnesses in the United States. Initial molecular characterization suggests that this novel agent is closely related to A. bovis-like bacteria found in Dermacentor variabilis ticks collected from multiple states in the US.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
