Changes in the geographic distribution of the blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis, in the United States

Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14(6), P. 102233 - 102233

Published: July 24, 2023

Ixodes scapularis (the blacklegged tick) was considered a species of no medical concern until the mid-1970s. By that time, tick's geographic distribution thought to be mainly in southeastern United States (US), with additional localized populations along Eastern Seaboard north southern Massachusetts and Upper Midwest. Since 1975, I. has been implicated as vector seven human pathogens is now widely distributed across eastern US up border Canada. Geographic expansion tick-borne diseases associated (e.g., Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis) attributed an expanding range tick. However, due changes tick surveillance efforts over it difficult differentiate between increased recognition already established populations. We provide history documented occurrence from its description 1821 present, emphasizing studies evidence Deforestation decimation white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), primary reproductive host for adults, during 1800s presumably led disappearing large areas where previously had established. Subsequent reforestation population recovery, together recent climate warming, contributed proliferating spreading refugia persisted into early 1900s. From collection records, appears present numerous locations part 1900s, whereas likely limited small number sites time period. There clear coastal New York by 1950, northwestern Wisconsin late 1960s. While recognizing dramatically 1980s onward, we describe multiple instances clearly Northeast, Midwest, Ohio Valley regions present. Spread local increase scapularis, documentation Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto host-seeking ticks, universally followed increases disease cases these areas. Southward northern which questing behavior nymphal stage leads substantially higher risk bites compared populations, Virginia North Carolina also rising numbers cases. Ongoing ticks essential data needed seek evaluate relative roles land cover, hosts, explaining predicting diseases.

Language: Английский

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Human Tick-Borne Diseases and Advances in Anti-Tick Vaccine Approaches: A Comprehensive Review

Vaccines, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 12(2), P. 141 - 141

Published: Jan. 29, 2024

This comprehensive review explores the field of anti-tick vaccines, addressing their significance in combating tick-borne diseases public health concern. The main objectives are to provide a brief epidemiology affecting humans and thorough understanding tick biology, traditional control methods, development mechanisms efficacy applications, associated challenges, future prospects. Tick-borne (TBDs) pose significant escalating threat global livestock industries due widespread distribution ticks multitude pathogens they transmit. Traditional such as acaricides repellents, have limitations, including environmental concerns emergence resistance. Anti-tick vaccines offer promising alternative by targeting specific proteins crucial for feeding pathogen transmission. Developing with antigens based on these essential is likely disrupt processes. Indeed, shown laboratory trials successfully implemented livestock, reducing prevalence TBDs. However, some challenges still remain, vaccine different hosts, polymorphisms same species, economic considerations adopting large-scale strategies. Emerging technologies approaches hold promise improving expanding impact agriculture.

Language: Английский

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Spatial analysis and risk mapping of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in Sub-saharan Africa

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: Jan. 17, 2025

Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a re-emerging tick-borne zoonosis that caused by CCHF virus (CCHFV). The geographical distribution of the disease and factors influence its occurrence are poorly known. We analysed historical records on outbreaks in various countries across sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) to identify hotspots determine socioecological demographicfactors associated with these outbreaks. used data from were reported between 1981 2022 SSA. To develop common framework for merging outbreak potential explanatory variables, we generated shapefile combined Level 2 administrative units all countries. Several climatic, environmental, obtained on-line GIS databases extracted using shapefile. an approximate Bayesian hierarchical model R-INLA package. outcome was Boolean variable which indicated whether unit affected given year or not. A neighborhood structure also account spatial autocorrelation analysis. final analysis build risk map. total 54 compiled 414 districts nine SSA Factors positively included human population density, land area under grassland, bare soil cover shrub cover. Conversely, high precipitation during wet months, elevated mean temperature slope had negative effects. map shows higher arid semi-arid (ASAL) West Africa, Sahelian region, Central Eastern Southern region. identified ecological demographic This finding suggests need improve surveillance especially grasslands where increasing.

Language: Английский

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The Contribution of Wildlife Hosts to the Rise of Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases in North America

Journal of Medical Entomology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 58(4), P. 1565 - 1587

Published: April 22, 2021

Abstract Wildlife vertebrate hosts are integral to enzootic cycles of tick-borne pathogens, and in some cases have played key roles the recent rise ticks diseases North America. In this forum article, we highlight that wildlife play maintenance transmission zoonotic, companion animal, livestock, pathogens. We begin by illustrating how contribute directly indirectly increase geographic expansion their associated provide blood meals for tick growth reproduction; serve as pathogen reservoirs; can disperse pathogens—either through natural movement (e.g., avian migration) or human-facilitated translocations trade). then discuss opportunities manage disease actions directed at hosts. To conclude, gaps our understanding ecology tick–host interactions, emphasizing host communities themselves a very dynamic component tick–pathogen–host systems therefore complicate management diseases, should be taken into account when considering host-targeted approaches. Effective reduce risk further requires consideration ‘human dimensions’ management. This includes public’s diverse views values about impacts—including perceived role fostering diseases. Public health agencies capitalize on expertise developing strategies risks.

Language: Английский

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The Impact of Deforestation, Urbanization, and Changing Land Use Patterns on the Ecology of Mosquito and Tick-Borne Diseases in Central America

Insects, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 13(1), P. 20 - 20

Published: Dec. 23, 2021

Central America is a unique geographical region that connects North and South America, enclosed by the Caribbean Sea to East, Pacific Ocean West. This region, encompassing Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, Nicaragua, highly vulnerable emergence or resurgence of mosquito-borne tick-borne diseases due combination key ecological socioeconomic determinants acting together, often in synergistic fashion. Of particular interest are effects land use changes, such as deforestation-driven urbanization forest degradation, on incidence prevalence these diseases, which not well understood. In recent years, parts have experienced social economic improvements; however, still faces major challenges developing effective strategies significant investments public health infrastructure prevent control diseases. this article, we review current knowledge potential impacts deforestation, urbanization, other changes disease transmission how anthropogenic drivers could affect risk for region. These issues addressed context interconnected environmental challenges.

Language: Английский

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The evolving story of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato transmission in Europe

Parasitology Research, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 121(3), P. 781 - 803

Published: Feb. 5, 2022

Abstract Beside mosquitoes, ticks are well-known vectors of different human pathogens. In the Northern Hemisphere, Lyme borreliosis (Eurasia, LB) or disease (North America, LD) is most commonly occurring vector-borne infectious caused by bacteria genus Borrelia which transmitted hard Ixodes . The reported incidence LB in Europe about 22.6 cases per 100,000 inhabitants annually with a broad range depending on geographical area analyzed. However, epidemiological data largely incomplete, because not notifiable all European countries. Furthermore, only differ reporting procedures between countries, there also variation case definitions and diagnostic procedures. several species (B.) burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) complex maintained networks including ixodid reservoir hosts. Vector host influence each other affected multiple factors climate that have major impact their habitats ecology. To classify risk transmission B. s.l. to vertebrate hosts as well humans, we briefly summarize current knowledge pathogens astonishing ability overcome various immune responses, regarding main vector ricinus , borreliae. research shows, higher standardization definition, procedures, standardized, long-term surveillance systems across necessary improve clinical data.

Language: Английский

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Ecological Niche Modelling Approaches: Challenges and Applications in Vector-Borne Diseases

Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 8(4), P. 187 - 187

Published: March 25, 2023

Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) pose a major threat to human and animal health, with more than 80% of the global population being at risk acquiring least one VBD. Being profoundly affected by ongoing climate change anthropogenic disturbances, modelling approaches become an essential tool assess compare multiple scenarios (past, present future), further geographic transmission VBDs. Ecological niche (ENM) is rapidly becoming gold-standard method for this task. The purpose overview provide insight use ENM We have summarised some fundamental concepts common VBDS, then focused critical view on number crucial issues which are often disregarded when niches Furthermore, we briefly presented what consider most relevant uses dealing Niche VBDs far from simple, there still long way improve. Therefore, expected be useful benchmark in future research.

Language: Английский

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Evaluating the effects of landscape fragmentation on ecosystem services: A three-decade perspective

Ecological Informatics, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 77, P. 102283 - 102283

Published: Aug. 29, 2023

Language: Английский

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Tick-Borne Bacterial Diseases in Europe: Threats to public health

European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 43(7), P. 1261 - 1295

Published: April 27, 2024

Language: Английский

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The roles of habitat isolation, landscape connectivity and host community in tick-borne pathogen ecology

Royal Society Open Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 11(11)

Published: Nov. 1, 2024

Habitat loss and forest fragmentation are often linked to increased pathogen transmission, but the extent which habitat isolation landscape connectivity affect disease dynamics through movement of vectors reservoir hosts has not been well examined. Tick-borne diseases most prevalent vector-borne in United States on West Coast, Ixodes pacificus is one epidemiologically important vectors. We investigated impacts pathogens transmitted by I. sought disentangle effects wildlife communities metrics predictive diversity, prevalence distribution. collected data for four co-occurring bacteria measured parameters. also used spatial cost-distance analysis integrating expert opinions assess fragmentation. found that were significant predictors tick density prevalence. However, variables essential when predicting distribution reliant maintenance. structure was an informative predictor tick-borne richness urban matrix. Our work highlights implications large-scale land management human risk.

Language: Английский

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