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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Assessing the Influence of Seasonal and Climatic Variations on Livestock Tick Incidence in Tehran Province, Iran: Cross-Sectional Study

Published: March 31, 2025

Background Ticks are well-known ectoparasites of domestic animals, causing significant economic losses and playing a crucial role in the transmission pathogens within livestock industry worldwide, including Iran. Understanding distribution diversity ticks is essential for effective control strategies, especially regions like Tehran province, where plays vital economy. Objective This study aimed to determine frequency across different seasons climatic zones province. Methods In 2019, total 1623 animals infested with were examined, chickens, sheep, camels, cows, pigeons, dogs. A 806 collected, comprising 121 (15%) soft 685 (85%) hard ticks. Tick species identified categorized based on their occurrence mountainous plain climate regions. Results Out collected ticks, 44.8% (n=361) found region 55.2% (n=445) region. The most abundant was Rhipicephalus sanguineus (n=307, 38.1%), while (Boophilus) annulatus least common (n=3, 0.4%). Seasonal variation indicated peak infestation spring (n=486, 60.3%) lowest winter (n=77, 9.6%). Conclusions highlights abundance both various These findings emphasize need targeted tick measures, considering differences between

Language: Английский

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Variable effects of wildlife and livestock on questing tick abundance across a topographical–climatic gradient

Ecosphere, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 16(2)

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

Abstract Large‐bodied wild ungulates are declining worldwide, while domestic livestock continue to increase in abundance. Such changes large herbivore communities should have strong effects on the control of ticks and tick‐borne disease as they can indirectly modify habitat directly serve final hosts for ticks' lifecycles. Numerous studies now linked changing ungulate tick populations risk. However, variable across studies, effect climate a mediating factor this variation remains poorly understood. Also, date largely focused wildlife loss without considering extent which additions may alter populations, even though replacement is global norm. In study, we used large‐scale exclosure experiment replicated along topo‐climatic gradient examine both removal additions. We found that questing increased modestly, by 21%, when herbivores were removed from system decreased more substantially, 50%, (in form cattle) added. Importantly, addition direct also mediates density. Particularly, under most arid conditions presence, likely due ground‐level microclimates away those beneficial ticks. Overall, work contributes our understanding population responses globally common human‐induced rangeland alterations concurrent change.

Language: Английский

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Rodent-targeted approaches to reduce acarological risk of human exposure to pathogen-infected Ixodes ticks

Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14(2), P. 102119 - 102119

Published: Jan. 14, 2023

In the United States, rodents serve as important hosts of medically Ixodes ticks, including scapularis and pacificus, well reservoirs for human pathogens, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto (s.s.), Babesia microti. Over last four decades, different methods to disrupt enzootic transmission these pathogens between tick vectors rodent have been developed evaluated. Early work focused on self-application topical acaricide by kill infesting ticks; this resulted in two types commercial products based (i) delivery permethrin via impregnated cotton offered nesting material or (ii) application fipronil an wick they navigate through a bait box reach food source. More recent has approaches where acaricides, antibiotics, vaccine against Bo. s.s. are delivered orally baits. Of these, oral nearest commercialization. Other early stages development include anti-tick vaccines use heritable genome editing engineer white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) that refractory review, I first outline general benefits drawbacks rodent-targeted pathogen control methods, then describe empirical evidence impact acarological risk exposure pathogen-infected ticks. Rodent-targeted remain promising components integrated management but there concerns about robustness existing across habitats variable host communities, some cases also implementation cost relation what homeowners Lyme disease endemic areas say willing pay control.

Language: Английский

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Diversity of species and geographic distribution of tick-borne viruses in China

Frontiers in Microbiology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15

Published: Feb. 27, 2024

Introduction Tick-borne pathogens especially viruses are continuously appearing worldwide, which have caused severe public health threats. Understanding the species, distribution and epidemiological trends of tick-borne (TBVs) is essential for disease surveillance control. Methods In this study, data on TBVs ticks in China were collected from databases literature. The geographic was mapped based locations where they prevalent or detected vector ticks. sequences National Center Biotechnology Information used to structure phylogenetic tree. Results Eighteen eight genera five families China. Five played an important role transmission According analysis, some new viral genotypes, such as Dabieshan tick virus (DTV) strain Liaoning Province JMTV Heilongjiang existed Discussion widely distributed but specific ranges different still varied Seven belonging genus Orthonairovirus family Nairoviridae Nairobi sheep (NSDV) clustered Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR) northeastern areas All Phenuiviridae except Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTSV) novel that appeared last few years, Guertu (GTV) Tacheng 2 (TcTV-2). They mainly central plains Jingmen (JMTV) at least fourteen provinces had been more than ten species Rhipicephalus microplus Haemaphysalis longicornis , widest largest number among all TBVs. Parainfluenza 5 (PIV5) Lymphatic choriomeningitis (LCMV) two potential Northeast could cause serious diseases humans animals. Ixodes persulcatus carried highest TBVs, followed by Dermacentor nuttalli H. . carry many Three strains encephalitis (TBEV) Inner Mongolia ones Russia, Japan Province, respectively. Several SFTSV Zhejiang Korea Japan. Specific dominant should be established

Language: Английский

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Control of companion animal parasites and impact on One Health

One Health, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 18, P. 100679 - 100679

Published: Jan. 13, 2024

The last decades have witnessed an increase in the global population and movements of companion animals, contributing to changes density distribution pet parasites. Control animal parasites (CAPs) becomes increasingly relevant because intensifying human-animal bond. Parasites impact on health humans their pets, but also wildlife environment. We conducted a qualitative review current advancements, gaps priorities for monitoring treatment CAPs with focus securing public health. There is need raise awareness, coordinate surveillance schemes better quantify One Health.

Language: Английский

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Can restoration of fire‐dependent ecosystems reduce ticks and tick‐borne disease prevalence in the eastern United States?

Ecological Applications, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 32(7)

Published: April 15, 2022

Over the past century, fire suppression has facilitated broad ecological changes in composition, structure, and function of fire-dependent landscapes throughout eastern US, which are decline. These have likely contributed mechanistically to enhancement habitat conditions that favor pathogen-carrying tick species, key wildlife hosts ticks, interactions fostered pathogen transmission among them humans. While long-running paradigm for limiting human exposure tick-borne diseases focuses responsibility on individual prevention, continued expansion medically important populations, increased incidence disease humans, emergence novel highlights need additional approaches stem this public health challenge. Another approach potential be a cost-effective widely applied but remains largely overlooked is use prescribed ecologically restore degraded ticks transmission. We examine role its effects within United States, especially examining life cycles forest-dwelling shifts regional-scale over concept frequent may helped moderate populations prior so-called fire-suppression era characterized century. explore mechanisms how restoration can reduce incorporating into broader strategy managing challenges, limitations, research needs burning reduction.

Language: Английский

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Mechanistic movement models to predict geographic range expansions of ticks and tick-borne pathogens: Case studies with Ixodes scapularis and Amblyomma americanum in eastern North America

Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14(4), P. 102161 - 102161

Published: March 28, 2023

The geographic range of the blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis, is expanding northward from United States into southern Canada, and studies suggest that lone star Amblyomma americanum, will follow suit. These tick species are vectors for many zoonotic pathogens, their expansion presents a serious threat to public health. Climate change (particularly increasing temperature) has been identified as an important driver permitting ticks, but impacts host movement, which essential dispersal new climatically suitable regions, have received limited investigation. Here, mechanistic movement model was applied landscapes eastern North America explore 1) relationships between multiple ecological drivers speed invasion ticks infected with causative agent Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, 2) its capacity simulate uninfected under theoretical scenarios temperature. Our results attraction migratory birds (long-distance hosts) resource-rich areas during spring migration mate-finding Allee effect in population dynamics key spread ticks. modeled increases temperature extended Canada towards higher latitudes by up 31% 1%, respectively, average predicted reaching 61 km/year 23 km/year, respectively. Differences projected spatial distribution patterns these were due differences climate envelopes populations, well availability attractiveness habitats birds. indicate process primarily driven local resident terrestrial hosts, whereas governed long-distance bird dispersal. also models provide powerful approach predicting tick-borne disease risk complex climate, socioeconomic land use/land cover changes.

Language: Английский

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Predicting the distribution of Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus in Europe: a comparison of climate niche modelling approaches

Parasites & Vectors, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 16(1)

Published: Oct. 25, 2023

The ticks Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus are two of the most important vectors in Europe. Climate niche modelling has been used many studies to attempt explain their distribution predict changes under a range climate change scenarios. aim this study was assess ability different approaches known I. D. Europe.A series models, using combinations input data, were constructed assessed. Species occurrence records obtained from systematic literature searches Global Biodiversity Information Facility data thinned degrees remove sampling spatial bias. Four sources used: bioclimatic variables, WorldClim, TerraClimate MODIS satellite-derived data. Eight model training extents examined three frameworks maximum entropy, generalised additive models random forest models. results validated through internal cross-validation, comparison with an external independent dataset expert opinion.The performance metrics predictive varied significantly within between each species. Different better able define However, no single approach considered fully capture When considering mean validation, 24 for 11 96 adequate according following criteria: area receiver-operating characteristic curve > 0.7; true skill statistic 0.4; Miller's calibration slope 0.25 above or below 1; Boyce index 0.9; omission rate < 0.15.This comprehensive analysis suggests that there is 'best practice' account these tick This implications attempts climate-mediated impacts on future distribution. It suggested here variables alone not sufficient; habitat type, host availability anthropogenic impacts, included current approaches, could contribute determining presence absence at local regional scale.

Language: Английский

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Importance of Host Abundance and Microhabitat in Tick Abundance

Journal of Medical Entomology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 59(6), P. 2110 - 2119

Published: Sept. 25, 2022

Abstract To reduce the risk of zoonoses, it is necessary to understand infection process, including ecology animals and vectors (i.e., ‘One Health’ approach). In temperate climates, ticks are major so factors determining their abundance, such as host mammal abundance microhabitat conditions, should be clarified. Sika deer (Cervus nippon) a tick rapidly expanding distribution in Japan. We established 12 plots along gradient sika Tochigi Prefecture, monitored occurrence species with camera traps sampled questing on monthly basis by flagging three transects (center trail, forest edge, interior) at each site from April November 2018. The recorded species, predominantly deer. Five Haemaphysalis Ixodes were sampled. numbers explained photographic frequency deer, partly that other depending developmental stages. adult nymphal highest where vegetation cover was greatest. Thus, management habitats control populations may abundance.

Language: Английский

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