Article
Entomology
Amy C. Fleshman, Erik Foster, Sarah E. Maes, Rebecca J. Eisen
Summary: Tickborne diseases account for a significant portion of vector-borne diseases reported in the United States each year. By mapping the distribution of pathogens carried by ticks, we can identify areas of risk for tickborne diseases and develop targeted prevention strategies.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Jose de la Fuente, Agustin Estrada-Pena, Marta Rafael, Consuelo Almazan, Sergio Bermudez, Abdelbaset E. Abdelbaset, Paul D. Kasaija, Fredrick Kabi, Foluke Adedayo Akande, Dorcas Oluwakemi Ajagbe, Timothy Bamgbose, Srikant Ghosh, Azhahianambi Palavesam, Penny H. Hamid, Charlotte L. Oskam, Siobhon L. Egan, Amanda Duarte-Barbosa, Olcay Hekimoglu, Matias P. J. Szabo, Marcelo B. Labruna, Ananta Dahal
Summary: In this comprehensive review study, the challenge posed by ticks and tick-borne diseases (TBDs) with growing incidence affecting global human and animal health was addressed. Data and perspectives from different countries and regions were collected to update the current situation with ticks and TBDs and highlight the existing information bias and gaps perceived by society. The study emphasizes the importance of multidisciplinary and international collaborations in advancing surveillance, communication, and proposed future directions to address these challenges.
Article
Microbiology
Eric L. Siegel, Nathalie Lavoie, Guang Xu, Catherine M. Brown, Michel Ledizet, Stephen M. Rich
Summary: Tick-borne zoonoses have a significant impact on global public health, and understanding their distribution and determinants requires consideration of the complex interactions among the environment, vectors, and hosts. This study analyzed human cases and tick testing data to assess the correlation between tick submissions and the incidence of babesiosis and anaplasmosis. The results showed moderate-to-strong correlations, suggesting that tick testing data can serve as a proxy for disease incidence and help understand human-tick interactions.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Nora Magyar, Zoltan Kis, Eva Barabas, Anna Nagy, Judit Henczko, Ivelina Damjanova, Maria Takacs, Bernadett Palyi
Summary: A pilot sero-surveillance study in Hungary found a 0.37% seroprevalence of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, with higher rates in western and central regions, male donors, and donors aged 18-34 years. The results suggest the need for extended surveillance targeting specific at-risk populations and animals, as well as raising awareness among clinicians and high-risk groups about the emerging threat of CCHF in Hungary.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Patricia F. Barradas, Clara Lima, Luis Cardoso, Irina Amorim, Fatima Gartner, Joao R. Mesquita
Summary: This study investigated the presence of pathogens in ticks removed from Testudo graeca tortoises, with 43% of examined adult ticks found to be infected with at least one agent. The most prevalent pathogen identified was Hemolivia mauritanica. The detection of H. mauritanica, Ehrlichia spp. and Candidatus M. mitochondrii in H. aegyptium ticks collected from pet spur-thighed tortoises in Qatar expands the geographical range of these agents.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Lynn M. Osikowicz, Maria R. Rizzo, Andrias Hojgaard, Sarah E. Maes, Rebecca J. Eisen
Summary: This article describes the prevalence and diversity of Lyme disease in the United States. By using different detection methods, the authors found various species of spirochetes present in specific tick species, revealing the potential transmission of pathogens among ticks.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2024)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Sarah P. Maxwell, Connie L. McNeely, Kevin Thomas, Chris Brooks
Summary: Recent research suggests that tick bite encounters can be used as a proxy for human disease risk, particularly in areas where certain diseases are not considered endemic. A study in Texas found that self-reported tick bite encounters aligned with official CDC data on Lyme disease cases and canine reports of tick-borne diseases. This study highlights the potential for using patient-reported data on tick bites for public health surveillance and response efforts.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Lee Ann Lyons, Nohra Mateus-Pinilla, Rebecca L. Smith
Summary: This study aimed to develop and deliver tick surveillance training workshops for local health department employees in Illinois. Results showed that the training effectively increased knowledge of ticks and tick-borne diseases, as well as promoting positive attitudes towards surveillance. While the training did not lead to significant increases in surveillance practices, it empowered local public health officials with the knowledge and attitudes needed to make a difference.
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)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Pallavi A. Kache, Gebbiena M. Bron, Sandra Zapata-Ramirez, Jean I. Tsao, Lyric C. Bartholomay, Susan M. Paskewitz, Maria A. Diuk-Wasser, Maria del Pilar Fernandez
Summary: A smartphone application called The Tick App was used to assess tick exposures in the United States. The app received 11,424 tick encounter submissions, mostly from the Midwest and Northeast regions. The app provided reliable and novel insights into tick travel history, species distribution, and tick identification.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jara Llenas-Garcia, Ramiro Canaveral, Marta Arsuaga, Begona Monge-Maillo, Ines Oliveira-Souto, Diego Torrus-Tendero, Azucena Rodriguez Guardado, Eva Calabuig, Adrian Sanchez-Montalva, Angel Dominguez-Castellano, Fernando de la Calle-Prieto, Jose A. Perez-Molina
Summary: This study describes the microbiological, clinical, and epidemiological characteristics of imported rickettsioses in travellers and migrants in Spain. The results show that there were 54 cases of imported rickettsioses from 2009 to 2020, with most patients being male and a median age of 37 years. The most common symptoms were febrile syndrome and cutaneous manifestations. Most diagnoses were confirmed by serology, and only a few cases required hospitalization. This study highlights the importance of considering rickettsial diseases in travellers from high-risk areas who have engaged in risky activities.
JOURNAL OF TRAVEL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Entomology
A. N. Cumbie, A. M. Whitlow, A. Arneson, Z. Du, G. Eastwood
Summary: Over the past decade, the Asian longhorned tick has expanded its geographic range in the United States, with populations reported in 17 states, including 38 counties in Virginia. This tick is known for its parasitism of livestock, ability to reproduce through parthenogenesis, and transmission of vector-borne pathogens. Our study found the presence of this tick in multiple habitat types in Virginia, with habitat type and climatic metrics being important indicators of tick presence and abundance.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Camille Guillot, Catherine Bouchard, Kayla Buhler, Ariane Dumas, Francois Milord, Marion Ripoche, Roxane Pelletier, Patrick A. Leighton
Summary: This study evaluates the ability of active sentinel surveillance to track Lyme disease risk in Quebec. By analyzing drag flannel data and using a Poisson regression model, the researchers found that the surveillance system could effectively monitor spatiotemporal trends in risk. The results provide valuable information for public health authorities to assess and inform the public about the risk of Lyme disease.
Editorial Material
Entomology
Lars Eisen, Rebecca J. Eisen
Summary: Tick-borne diseases are on the rise in North America, leading to an increased interest in understanding local tick species and associated pathogens. Citizen science is seen as a potential way to supplement traditional data gathering methods, but caution is needed when interpreting the generated information to avoid misleading conclusions.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Emily L. Pascoe, Ankje de Vries, Helen J. Esser, Constantianus J. M. Koenraadt, Hein Sprong
Summary: In this study, it was demonstrated that tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) RNA can be detected in non-destructive samples obtained from naturally infected wild rodents, providing a practical alternative for long-term surveillance of the virus.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
Article
Entomology
B. Cull, K. M. Hansford, L. McGinley, E. L. Gillingham, A. G. C. Vaux, R. Smith, J. M. Medlock
Summary: This study investigated the variation in Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. infection rates in Ixodes ricinus ticks across 24 field sites in England and Wales, showing site-specific and year-to-year differences. The main genospecies detected was B. garinii, highlighting the spatial and temporal variability in infected tick bites in areas used for outdoor activities in England and Wales.
MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY
(2021)
Letter
Veterinary Sciences
Anne-Sophie Kennedy
Article
Ecology
Aitor Garcia-Vozmediano, Laura Tomassone, Manoj Fonville, Luigi Bertolotti, Dieter Heylen, Nannet D. Fabri, Jolyon M. Medlock, Ard M. Nijhof, Kayleigh M. Hansford, Hein Sprong, Aleksandra I. Krawczyk
Summary: Rickettsiella species are common symbionts in a variety of arthropod species, including Ixodes ricinus ticks, with genetic diversity and distribution impacted by geographic location and life stage. Phylogenetic analysis revealed four distinct clades of Rickettsiella, with close relations to other arthropods, and specific isolation patterns for Clades II and IV. Coinfections were observed, but significant associations with other tick-associated bacteria were not detected.
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Kayleigh M. Hansford, Benedict W. Wheeler, Barbara Tschirren, Jolyon M. Medlock
Summary: This review synthesizes the research results on the presence of Ixodes ricinus ticks and Borrelia infections in urban green spaces in 24 European countries. The study found that these pathogens are distributed in various urban green space habitats and vary seasonally. However, the impact of human exposure to these ticks and subsequent Lyme borreliosis incidence in urban green spaces has not been quantified.
ZOONOSES AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Kayleigh M. Hansford, Benedict W. Wheeler, Barbara Tshirren, Jolyon M. Medlock
Summary: This study investigates tick presence, nymph density, and Borrelia infection in urban green spaces in Bath, England, revealing the potential risk of Lyme borreliosis to the public. The findings emphasize the importance of considering tick bites as a public health concern in urban green space planning and management.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Jolyon M. Medlock, Alexander G. C. Vaux, Sara Gandy, Benjamin Cull, Liz McGinley, Emma Gillingham, Matthew Catton, Steven T. Pullan, Kayleigh M. Hansford
Summary: This study investigated the density of Borrelia burgdorferi-infected Ixodes ricinus nymphs (DIN) across a Lyme disease-endemic landscape in southern England from 2013-2017. The results showed variations in nymph density (DON), nymph infection prevalence (NIP), and DIN across different natural habitats, with the highest DIN in woodland edge and high biodiversity woodlands. The study also discussed the potential impacts of scrub vegetation and bird/gamebirds on tick infection rates.
MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY
(2022)
Letter
Veterinary Sciences
Jolyon M. Medlock, Kayleigh M. Hansford, Sara Gandy, Alexander G. C. Vaux
Article
Infectious Diseases
L. P. Phipps, K. M. Hansford, L. M. Hernandez-Triana, M. Golding, L. McGinley, A. J. Folly, A. G. C. Vaux, M. F. de Marco, D. P. Carter, J. M. Medlock, N. Johnson
Summary: The distribution and population size of red sheep ticks are increasing in Northern Europe and the United Kingdom. Reports of human biting by this species have also increased in recent years. PCR screening of ticks collected from sites in Southern England over a three year period revealed the presence of Babesia species associated with TBD infections in livestock, as well as the human pathogen Borrelia miyamotoi. These findings suggest that the expansion of this tick species in Southern England may pose risks to public and livestock health.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Nicholas Johnson, Lawrence Paul Phipps, Kayleigh M. Hansford, Arran J. Folly, Anthony R. Fooks, Jolyon M. Medlock, Karen L. Mansfield
Summary: Tick-borne diseases pose a threat to human and animal health, and their occurrence and transmission depend on tick population distribution, presence of pathogens, and tick activity seasons. Comprehensive understanding of these diseases is crucial for effective prevention and control, requiring surveillance and intervention approaches from multiple perspectives.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Sara L. Gandy, Kayleigh M. Hansford, Jolyon M. Medlock
Summary: In this study, records of Ixodes ricinus bites on humans, dogs, and cats in the United Kingdom between 2013 and 2020 were analyzed. The results showed an increasing trend in the percentage of grids reporting I. ricinus bites, particularly in new areas of South and East England. Spatiotemporal analyses indicated a decline in the percentage of new areas covered each year, except for Scotland. The study discusses potential drivers of tick expansion, such as reforestation and increase in deer populations.
MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Kayleigh M. Hansford, Sara L. Gandy, Emma L. Gillingham, Liz McGinley, Benjamin Cull, Colin Johnston, Matthew Catton, Jolyon M. Medlock
Summary: Tick-borne disease risk is closely related to the distribution of tick vector species. Understanding tick distribution, host associations, and seasonality is crucial for assessing risk and predicting disease emergence. Passive surveillance, supported by engagement with the public and experts, can provide valuable data and mapping of tick distribution, helping to identify areas where tick exposure has occurred and inform disease prevention efforts.
MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Kayleigh M. Hansford, Liz McGinley, Benedict W. Wheeler, Barbara Tschirren, Jolyon M. Medlock
Summary: Ticks are present in various habitats, with woodland being important for Borrelia infection. This study investigated the density and prevalence of ticks in urban, peri-urban, and rural woodlands in southern England. The results showed that tick density and Borrelia infection rates were similar in urban and rural woodlands, suggesting a potential risk of Lyme borreliosis transmission in urban areas. This is of public health concern due to the dominance of Borrelia garinii, which is associated with neuroborreliosis.
ZOONOSES AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Kayleigh M. Hansford, Emma L. Gillingham, Alexander G. C. Vaux, Benjamin Cull, Liz McGinley, Matthew Catton, Benedict W. Wheeler, Barbara Tschirren, Jolyon M. Medlock
Summary: Understanding the effects of local habitat and landscape connectivity on tick presence, nymph density, and Borrelia spp. prevalence is crucial for assessing the risk of Lyme borreliosis. This multi-city study collected data in three urban areas in southern England and found that distance to woodland was negatively associated with tick presence and nymph density, especially in spring and summer. Bird-related Borrelia genospecies dominated and may play an important role in tick feeding and infection in urban green spaces. The overall prevalence of Borrelia spp. in nymphs was 2.8%, similar to rural areas in the UK. The low density of infected nymphs suggests a low risk of Lyme borreliosis transmission, but more research is needed to incorporate tick bite data in urban settings.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
G. R. William Wint, Thomas Balenghien, Eduardo Berriatua, Marieta Braks, Cedric Marsboom, Jolyon Medlock, Francis Schaffner, Wim Van Bortel, Neil Alexander, Bulent Alten, Ewelina Czwienczek, Sofie Dhollander, Els Ducheyne, Celine M. Gossner, Kayleigh Hansford, Guy Hendrickx, Hector Honrubia, Tom Matheussen, Andrei Daniel Mihalca, Dusan Petric, Jane Richardson, Hein Sprong, Veerle Versteirt, Olivier Briet
Summary: VectorNet maps are an important tool for assessing the distribution of arthropod vectors in Europe and its surrounding areas. The methodology includes collecting data from literature, field surveys, and expert validation. As of 2021, the VectorNet archive contains over 330 species and approximately 475,000 records. The maps are widely used as reference material by professionals and the public.
Article
Microbiology
Ternenge Thaddaeus Apaa, Harriet Mcfadzean, Sara Gandy, Kayleigh Hansford, Jolyon Medlock, Nicholas Johnson
Summary: This study examined the presence of A. phagocytophilum in livestock and wildlife in Great Britain, with a focus on cattle. The results showed the presence of ecotype I in cattle, sheep, red deer, and Ixodes ricinus ticks, and ecotype II in roe deer and I. ricinus removed from deer carcasses. However, only ecotype I was detected in cattle in this study.
