Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Guang Xu, Erik Foster, Fumiko Ribbe, Andrias Hojgaard, Rebecca J. Eisen, Sara Paull, Stephen M. Rich
Summary: In 2011, Ehrlichia muris eauclairensis (EME) was identified as a human pathogen transmitted by the blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis. It was previously considered to be confined to the upper midwestern United States, but this study reveals its presence in Massachusetts through DNA detection in ticks and rodents.
VECTOR-BORNE AND ZOONOTIC DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Ariane Dumas, Catherine Bouchard, L. Robbin Lindsay, Nicholas H. Ogden, Patrick A. Leighton
Summary: This study investigated local patterns of tick distribution in a newly endemic periurban nature park in Quebec, Canada, revealing spatial heterogeneity in tick densities influenced by factors such as host availability, habitat characteristics, and microclimatic conditions. Fine-scale spatial heterogeneity in tick densities and interannual variability in hotspot location were observed, with adult tick density highest in areas with moderate drainage. Microclimatic conditions played a significant role in influencing tick densities, including effects of weather at the time of tick sampling and seasonal microclimate at the site level.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Andrea M. Kirby, Ellis P. Evans, Samantha J. Bishop, Vett K. Lloyd
Summary: Tick populations are influenced by various factors, including anthropic factors and climate change. A study in Canadian Maritime provinces found that the distribution of Dermacentor variabilis has expanded northwards. Small established populations of the tick species were found in southern and coastal areas of New Brunswick. Dogs were the most common hosts, suggesting human activity may play a role in establishing new populations.
Article
Parasitology
Vikas Taank, Frank A. Lattanzio, Hameeda Sultana, Girish Neelakanta
Summary: This study reports the presence of two anuses in a laboratory-reared I. scapularis nymph, confirming the rare occurrence of double anus in this species.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Chantal B. F. Vogels, Doug E. Brackney, Alan P. Dupuis Ii, Rebecca M. Robich, Joseph R. Fauver, Anderson F. Brito, Scott C. Williams, John F. Anderson, Charles B. Lubelczyk, Rachel E. Lange, Melissa A. Prusinski, Laura D. Kramer, Jody L. Gangloff-Kaufmann, Laura B. Goodman, Guy Baele, Robert P. Smith, Philip M. Armstrong, Alexander T. Ciota, Simon Dellicour, Nathan D. Grubaugh
Summary: This study investigated the transmission patterns and ecology of Powassan virus, an emerging tick-borne virus. It was found that the virus is mainly transmitted by ticks and has a highly focal geographical distribution. The study also revealed a slowing down of virus spread in recent years, possibly due to the expansion of white-tailed deer and Ixodes scapularis tick populations.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
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
Immunology
Andrew Nuss, Arvind Sharma, Monika Gulia-Nuss
Summary: Ticks are obligate blood-sucking arthropods that are important vectors of pathogens affecting humans and animals worldwide. Despite the growing burden of tick-borne diseases, research on ticks has lagged due to challenges in applying genetic tools, such as CRISPR-Cas9, for stable genetic transformations. Successful germline editing with CRISPR-Cas9 in ticks has yet to be achieved.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Entomology
James C. Burtis, Jenna Bjork, Tammi L. Johnson, Elizabeth Schiffman, David Neitzel, Rebecca J. Eisen
Summary: Ixodes scapularis, the primary vector of Lyme disease, poses a threat to public health in the United States. The incidence of Lyme disease is increasing rapidly in upper midwestern states, such as Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. The phenology of host-seeking I. scapularis affects the risk of tick bites. We conducted a study in Minnesota from 2015 to 2017 and found that adult ticks were active throughout the collection season, with peaks in April and sporadic activity in the summer and October. Nymphs were most active from May to August, with peak activity in June. These findings highlight the risk of human exposure to I. scapularis from April to November and are important for understanding the ecoepidemiology of Lyme disease.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Jannelle Couret, Samantha Schofield, Sukanya Narasimhan
Summary: This review focuses on environmental factors that influence tick biology and tick-pathogen interactions, highlighting the impact of temperature, humidity, and environmental microbiota on tick parasitism and the transmission of tick-borne diseases.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Benjamin Cull, Nicole Y. Burkhardt, Xin-Ru Wang, Cody J. Thorpe, Jonathan D. Oliver, Timothy J. Kurtti, Ulrike G. Munderloh
Summary: This study found that the endosymbiont Rickettsia buchneri in ticks can inhibit the infection and replication of tick-borne pathogens. The presence of R. buchneri was observed to reduce the growth of R. parkeri by a significant percentage in tick cells. This research suggests a potential role of R. buchneri in preventing other rickettsiae from colonizing ticks and being transmitted transovarially, which could have important implications for understanding rickettsial competition and vector competence.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Micah B. Hahn, Andrias Hojgaard, Gale Disler, William George, Amanda Droghini, Renate Schlaht, Lance A. Durden, Sarah Coburn, Robert Gerlach, Rebecca J. Eisen
Summary: Rapid environmental change in Alaska and the Arctic has increased concerns about human exposure to ticks and the pathogens they carry. This study tested ticks collected from humans, animals, and wildlife in Alaska for common tick-borne pathogens. Established tick populations and various pathogens were found, highlighting the importance of monitoring and assessing local tick species and microbes.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Entomology
Lucy Gilbert
Summary: Ticks are widespread and carry pathogens, impacting by climate change; tick-borne disease systems are complex with diverse drivers, modeling can help understand changes; future research should focus on assessing the resilience of ticks and tick-borne pathogens to climate change.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF ENTOMOLOGY, VOL 66, 2021
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Erin Hassett, Maria Diuk-Wasser, Laura Harrington, Pilar Fernandez
Summary: This study is important for understanding the risk of tick exposure and tick-preventative behavior among park visitors in Staten Island, New York City. The findings indicate a mismatch between areas with higher tick density and areas more frequently used by visitors. Additionally, visitors' tick prevention behaviors were closely related to their knowledge and perceived risk.
Article
Microbiology
Sukanya Narasimhan, Nallakkandi Rajeevan, Morven Graham, Ming-Jie Wu, Kathleen DePonte, Solenne Marion, Orlanne Masson, Anya J. O'Neal, Joao H. F. Pedra, Daniel E. Sonenshine, Erol Fikrig
Summary: This study reveals that changes in tick microbiome composition do not significantly affect the transmission of Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease. The spirochetes may utilize an intracellular exit route during migration, helping them avoid the influence of microbiota in the midgut lumen.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lene Jung Kjaer, Magnus Johansson, Per-Eric Lindgren, Naveed Asghar, Peter Wilhelmsson, Hans Fredlund, Madeleine Christensson, Amelie Wallenhammar, Rene Bodker, Gunlog Rasmussen, Petter Kjellander
Summary: The incidence of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) has been increasing in orebro County, south-central Sweden, but the reasons behind this trend are not well understood. This study analyzed TBE human case data, tick abundance, and environmental factors in different postal codes within the county to identify spatial patterns and potential drivers of TBE. The results showed a significant increase in TBE incidence in orebro County, with hotspots in the southern and northern parts and a cold spot in the central part. However, the models used had limited explanatory power for the observed pattern.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Kiersten J. Kugeler, Laura J. Podewils, Nisha B. Alden, Tori L. Burket, Breanna Kawasaki, Brad J. Biggerstaff, Holly M. Biggs, Rachael Zacks, Monique A. Foster, Travis Lim, Emily McDonald, Jacqueline E. Tate, Rachel K. Herlihy, Jan Drobeniuc, Margaret M. Cortese
Summary: Testing residual clinical specimens provided a similar seroprevalence estimate yet yielded limited insight into the local epidemiology of COVID-19 and might be less representative of the source population than a cluster-sampled community survey. Awareness of the limitations of various sampling strategies is necessary when interpreting findings from seroprevalence assessments.
PUBLIC HEALTH REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Anisha Misra, Marijo Roiko, Omar Abu Saleh, Heather Morris, Bobbi S. Pritt
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Anisha Misra, Marijo Roiko, Omar Abu Saleh, Heather Morris, Bobbi S. Pritt
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Neeta P. Connally, Adam Rowe, Alison Kaufman, James Meek, Sara A. Niesobecki, Amberjean P. Hansen, Jennifer White, Courtney Nawrocki, Erik Foster, Alison F. Hinckley, Lars Eisen
Summary: Blacklegged ticks are vectors for Lyme disease and other human pathogens in the eastern US, with white-tailed deer being key reproductive hosts. The use of a 10% permethrin acaricide on deer through 4-Poster Tick Control Deer Feeders has shown promise in suppressing tick populations. However, the feasibility of implementing this method in residential areas in Connecticut and New York is challenging, with potential for better evaluation in natural or public areas.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2022)
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)
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
Entomology
Peter D. Fowler, S. Nguyentran, L. Quatroche, M. L. Porter, V Kobbekaduwa, S. Tippin, Guy Miller, E. Dinh, E. Foster, J. Tsao
Summary: Amblyomma americanum, also known as the lone star tick, is a parasite that can transmit various pathogens to humans and animals. Its geographic range has expanded in recent years, including in the state of Michigan where populations have been established. Active surveillance has provided important data for understanding the situation and ongoing monitoring is necessary to inform public health officials and professionals about the associated health risks.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Laure Flurin, Matthew J. Wolf, Cody R. Fisher, Edison J. Cano Cevallos, James J. Vaillant, Bobbi S. Pritt, Daniel C. DeSimone, Robin Patel
Summary: This prospective pilot study evaluated the use of targeted metagenomic sequencing (tMGS) for early pathogen detection and identification in infective endocarditis (IE). The results indicate that blood-based tMGS may provide pathogen identification in subjects with IE, including culture-negative cases.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Blaine A. A. Mathison, Richard S. S. Bradbury, Bobbi S. S. Pritt
Summary: This minireview provides an update on the recent advancements and updates in the field of human parasitology from June 2020 to June 2022. It also includes a list of previously reported nomenclatural changes that have not been widely adopted by the medical community.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Guang Xu, Erik Foster, Fumiko Ribbe, Andrias Hojgaard, Rebecca J. Eisen, Sara Paull, Stephen M. Rich
Summary: In 2011, Ehrlichia muris eauclairensis (EME) was identified as a human pathogen transmitted by the blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis. It was previously considered to be confined to the upper midwestern United States, but this study reveals its presence in Massachusetts through DNA detection in ticks and rodents.
VECTOR-BORNE AND ZOONOTIC DISEASES
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Abhishek Mewara, Gillian H. Gile, Blaine Mathison, Huan Zhao, Bobbi Pritt, Richard S. Bradbury
Summary: This article thoroughly evaluates the potential role of the protozoan Lophomonas as a human pathogen and finds insufficient clinical evidence and experimental data to support this conclusion. The article emphasizes the need for rigorous scientific scrutiny before acknowledging a new human pathogen and discusses the potential harms of misdiagnoses for patient care and scientific literature.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Hyo-Lim Hong, Laure Flurin, Kerryl E. E. Greenwood-Quaintance, Matthew J. J. Wolf, Bobbi S. S. Pritt, Andrew P. P. Norgan, Robin Patel
Summary: The performance of 16S rRNA gene PCR/sequencing of heart valves was compared with conventional IE diagnostics. The sequencing method can identify pathogens in patients with blood culture-negative IE by analyzing the 16S rRNA gene sequence.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Microbiology
Jacob Rattin, Bobbi Pritt, Krishna Patel, Vijayalakshmi Ananthanarayanan
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Pathology
Blaine A. Mathison, Bobbi S. Pritt
Summary: The landscape of parasitic infections in the United States has undergone significant changes over the past century. While some infections have been eliminated, others remain a public health risk. This article discusses the biology, diagnostic histopathological features, and epidemiology of endemic parasitic infections commonly seen in anatomical pathology preparations. © 2023 United States & Canadian Academy of Pathology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Courtney C. Nawrocki, Nicholas Piedmonte, Sara A. Niesobecki, Adam Rowe, AmberJean P. Hansen, Alison Kaufman, Erik Foster, James I. Meek, Linda Niccolai, Jennifer White, Bryon Backenson, Lars Eisen, Sarah A. Hook, Neeta P. Connally, Victoria L. Hornbostel, Alison F. Hinckley
Summary: The 4-Poster Tick Control Deer Feeder (4-poster) device can reduce the population of blacklegged ticks by applying acaricide to white-tailed deer. A survey of residents from 16 high Lyme disease incidence counties in Connecticut and New York showed that 37% of respondents support placing 4-poster devices on their own property, 71% support placement on other private land in their community, and 90% support placement on public land.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2023)