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Clinical Microbiology Reviews Mar 2020Increases in tick-borne disease prevalence and transmission are important public health issues. Efforts to control these emerging diseases are frustrated by the struggle... (Review)
Review
Increases in tick-borne disease prevalence and transmission are important public health issues. Efforts to control these emerging diseases are frustrated by the struggle to control tick populations and to detect and treat infections caused by the pathogens that they transmit. This review covers tick-borne infectious diseases of nonrickettsial bacterial, parasitic, and viral origins. While tick surveillance and tracking inform our understanding of the importance of the spread and ecology of ticks and help identify areas of risk for disease transmission, the vectors are not the focus of this document. Here, we emphasize the most significant pathogens that infect humans as well as the epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases that they cause. Although detection via molecular or immunological methods has improved, tick-borne diseases continue to remain underdiagnosed, making the scope of the problem difficult to assess. Our current understanding of the incidence of tick-borne diseases is discussed in this review. An awareness of the diseases that can be transmitted by ticks in specific locations is key to detection and selection of appropriate treatment. As tick-transmitted pathogens are discovered and emerge in new geographic regions, our ability to detect, describe, and understand the growing public health threat must also grow to meet the challenge.
Topics: Animals; Clinical Laboratory Techniques; Humans; Tick-Borne Diseases; Ticks
PubMed: 31896541
DOI: 10.1128/CMR.00083-18 -
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Feb 2023is an emerging tick-borne pathogen in the Northern Hemisphere and is the causative agent of disease (BMD). is vectored by the same hard-bodied ticks as Lyme disease ,... (Review)
Review
is an emerging tick-borne pathogen in the Northern Hemisphere and is the causative agent of disease (BMD). is vectored by the same hard-bodied ticks as Lyme disease , yet phylogenetically groups with relapsing fever and thus, has been uniquely labeled a hard tick-borne relapsing fever . Burgeoning research has uncovered new aspects of in human patients, nature, and the lab. Of particular interest are novel findings on disease pathology, prevalence, diagnostic methods, ecological maintenance, transmission, and genetic characteristics. Herein, we review recent literature on , discuss how findings adapt to current doctrines, and briefly consider what remains unknown about .
PubMed: 36839539
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12020267 -
Vector Borne and Zoonotic Diseases... Jan 2017Borrelia species fall into two groups, the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Bbsl) complex, the cause of Lyme borreliosis (also known as Lyme disease), and the relapsing... (Review)
Review
Borrelia species fall into two groups, the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Bbsl) complex, the cause of Lyme borreliosis (also known as Lyme disease), and the relapsing fever group. Both groups exhibit inter- and intraspecies diversity and thus have variations in both clinical presentation and diagnostic approaches. A further layer of complexity is derived from the fact that ticks may carry multiple infectious agents and are able to transmit them to the host during blood feeding, with potential overlapping clinical manifestations. Besides this, pathogens like Borrelia have developed strategies to evade the host immune system, which allows them to persist within the host, including humans. Diagnostics can be applied at different times during the clinical course and utilize sample types, each with their own advantages and limitations. These differing methods should always be considered in conjunction with potential exposure and compatible clinical features. Throughout this review, we aim to explore different approaches providing the reader with an overview of methods appropriate for various situations. This review will cover human pathogenic members of Bbsl and relapsing fever borreliae, including newly recognized Borrelia miyamotoi spirochetes.
Topics: Animals; Arthropod Vectors; Borrelia; Humans; Lyme Disease; Relapsing Fever; Ticks
PubMed: 28055580
DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2016.1962 -
Clinical Microbiology and Infection :... Jul 2015Borrelia miyamotoi is a relapsing fever Borrelia group spirochete that is transmitted by the same hard-bodied (ixodid) tick species that transmit the agents of Lyme... (Review)
Review
Borrelia miyamotoi is a relapsing fever Borrelia group spirochete that is transmitted by the same hard-bodied (ixodid) tick species that transmit the agents of Lyme disease. It was discovered in 1994 in Ixodes persulcatus ticks in Japan. B. miyamotoi species phylogenetically cluster with the relapsing fever group spirochetes, which usually are transmitted by soft-bodied (argasid) ticks or lice. B. miyamotoi infects at least six Ixodes tick species in North America and Eurasia that transmit Lyme disease group spirochetes and may use small rodents and birds as reservoirs. Human cases of B. miyamotoi infection were first reported in 2011 in Russia and subsequently in the United States, Europe and Japan. These reports document the public health importance of B. miyamotoi, as human B. miyamotoi infection appears to be comparable in frequency to babesiosis or human granulocytic anaplasmosis in some areas and may cause severe disease, including meningoencephalitis. The most common clinical manifestations of B. miyamotoi infection are fever, fatigue, headache, chills, myalgia, arthralgia, and nausea. Symptoms of B. miyamotoi infection generally resolve within a week of the start of antibiotic therapy. B. miyamotoi infection should be considered in patients with acute febrile illness who have been exposed to Ixodes ticks in a region where Lyme disease occurs. Because clinical manifestations are nonspecific, etiologic diagnosis requires confirmation by blood smear examination, PCR, antibody assay, in vitro cultivation, and/or isolation by animal inoculation. Antibiotics that have been used effectively include doxycycline for uncomplicated B. miyamotoi infection in adults and ceftriaxone or penicillin G for meningoencephalitis.
Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Arthropod Vectors; Birds; Borrelia; Clinical Laboratory Techniques; Disease Reservoirs; Europe; Humans; Ixodes; Japan; Relapsing Fever; Rodentia; Tick-Borne Diseases; United States
PubMed: 25700888
DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2015.02.006 -
Microorganisms Jan 2021is classified as a relapsing fever spirochete. Although is genetically and ecologically distinct from sensu lato, both microorganisms are transmitted by the same... (Review)
Review
is classified as a relapsing fever spirochete. Although is genetically and ecologically distinct from sensu lato, both microorganisms are transmitted by the same tick species. was detected in ticks in 1994 in Japan. A phylogenetic analysis based on selected sequences of genome revealed genetic differences between isolates from Asia, North America, and Europe, which are clearly separated into three genotypes. Symptomatic human cases of disease (BMD) were first reported in 2011 in Russia and then in North America, Europe, and Asia. The most common clinical manifestation of BMD is fever with flu-like symptoms. Several differences in rare symptoms (thrombocytopenia, monocytosis, cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis, or symptoms related to the central nervous system) have been noted among cases caused by Asian, European, and American types of . BMD should be considered in the diagnosis of patients after tick bites, particularly with meningoencephalitis, without anti- antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid. This review describes the biology, ecology, and potential of as a tick-borne pathogen of public health concern, with particular emphasis on Europe.
PubMed: 33445492
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9010154 -
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2023is an emerging pathogen that causes a febrile illness and is transmitted by the same hard-bodied (ixodid) ticks that transmit several other pathogens, including... (Review)
Review
is an emerging pathogen that causes a febrile illness and is transmitted by the same hard-bodied (ixodid) ticks that transmit several other pathogens, including species that cause Lyme disease. was discovered in 1994 in ticks in Japan. It was first reported in humans in 2011 in Russia. It has subsequently been reported in North America, Europe, and Asia. infection is widespread in ticks in the northeastern, northern Midwestern, and far western United States and in Canada. In endemic areas, human seroprevalence averages from 1 to 3% of the population, compared with 15 to 20% for . The most common clinical manifestations of infection are fever, fatigue, headache, chills, myalgia, arthralgia, and nausea. Complications include relapsing fever and rarely, meningoencephalitis. Because clinical manifestations are nonspecific, diagnosis requires laboratory confirmation by PCR or blood smear examination. Antibiotics are effective in clearing infection and are the same as those used for Lyme disease, including doxycycline, tetracycline, erythromycin, penicillin, and ceftriaxone. Preventive measures include avoiding areas where -infected ticks are found, landscape management, and personal protective strategies such as protective clothing, use of acaricides, and tick checks with rapid removal of embedded ticks.
PubMed: 37111439
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12040553 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2018Relapsing fever still remains a neglected disease and little is known on its reservoir, tick vector and physiopathology in the vertebrate host. The disease occurs in... (Review)
Review
Relapsing fever still remains a neglected disease and little is known on its reservoir, tick vector and physiopathology in the vertebrate host. The disease occurs in temperate as well as tropical countries. Relapsing fever borreliae are spirochaetes, members of the family which also contain Lyme disease spirochaetes. They are mainly transmitted by soft ticks, but some species are vectored by ixodid ticks. Traditionally a species is associated with a specific vector in a particular geographical area. However, new species are regularly described, and taxonomical uncertainties deserve further investigations to better understand vector/host adaptation. The medical importance of , transmitted by spp., has recently spawned new interest in this bacterial group. In this review, recent data on tick-host-pathogen interactions for tick-borne relapsing fevers is presented, with special focus on .
Topics: Animals; Humans; Ixodes; Neglected Diseases; Relapsing Fever; Spirochaetaceae; Tick-Borne Diseases
PubMed: 29670860
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2018.00098 -
PloS One 2022Borrelia burgdorferi and Borrelia miyamotoi are tick-vectored zoonotic pathogens maintained in wildlife species. Tick populations are establishing in new areas globally...
Borrelia burgdorferi and Borrelia miyamotoi are tick-vectored zoonotic pathogens maintained in wildlife species. Tick populations are establishing in new areas globally in response to climate change and other factors. New Brunswick is a Canadian maritime province at the advancing front of tick population establishment and has seen increasing numbers of ticks carrying B. burgdorferi, and more recently B. miyamotoi. Further, it is part of a region of Atlantic Canada with wildlife species composition differing from much of continental North America and little information exists as to the presence and frequency of infection of Borrelia spp. in wildlife in this region. We used a citizen science approach to collect a wide range of animals including migratory birds, medium-sized mammals, and small mammals. In total we tested 339 animals representing 20 species for the presence of B. burgdorferi and B. miyamotoi. We have developed new nested PCR primers and a protocol with excellent specificity for detecting both of these Borrelia species, both single and double infections, in tissues and organs of various wildlife species. The positive animals were primarily small non-migratory mammals, approximately twice as many were infected with B. burgdorferi than B. miyamotoi and one animal was found infected with both. In addition to established reservoir species, the jumping mouse (Napaeozapus insignis) was found frequently infected; this species had the highest infection prevalence for both B. burgdorferi and B. miyamotoi and has not previously been identified as an important carrier for either Borrelia species. Comprehensive testing of tissues found that all instances of B. burgdorferi infection were limited to one tissue within the host, whereas two of the five B. miyamotoi infections were diffuse and found in multiple systems. In the one coinfected specimen, two fetuses were also recovered and found infected with B. miyamotoi. This presumptive transplacental transmission suggests that vertical transmission in mammals is possible. This finding implies that B. miyamotoi could rapidly spread into wildlife populations, as well as having potential human health implications.
Topics: Animals; Animals, Wild; Birds; Borrelia; Borrelia burgdorferi; Canada; DNA, Bacterial; Disease Vectors; Fetus; Lyme Disease; Mice; Phylogeny; Polymerase Chain Reaction
PubMed: 35061805
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262229 -
Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases Jul 2023The impact of tick-borne diseases caused by pathogens such as Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Neoehrlichia mikurensis, Borrelia miyamotoi, Rickettsia helvetica and Babesia... (Review)
Review
The impact of tick-borne diseases caused by pathogens such as Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Neoehrlichia mikurensis, Borrelia miyamotoi, Rickettsia helvetica and Babesia species on public health is largely unknown. Data on the prevalence of these pathogens in Ixodes ricinus ticks from seven countries within the North Sea Region in Europe as well as the types and availability of diagnostic tests and the main clinical features of their corresponding diseases is reported and discussed. Raised awareness is needed to discover cases of these under-recognized types of tick-borne disease, which should provide valuable insights into these diseases and their clinical significance.
Topics: Animals; Humans; North Sea; Borrelia; Tick-Borne Diseases; Ixodes; Borrelia Infections; Rickettsia; Europe
PubMed: 37116420
DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102185 -
Euro Surveillance : Bulletin Europeen... May 2019Background clusters phylogenetically among relapsing fever borreliae, but is transmitted by hard ticks. Recent recognition as a human pathogen has intensified research... (Review)
Review
Background clusters phylogenetically among relapsing fever borreliae, but is transmitted by hard ticks. Recent recognition as a human pathogen has intensified research into its ecology and pathogenic potential.AimsWe aimed to provide a timely critical integrative evaluation of our knowledge on , to assess its public health relevance and guide future research.MethodsThis narrative review used peer-reviewed literature in English from January 1994 to December 2018.Results occurs in the world's northern hemisphere where it co-circulates with sensu lato, which causes Lyme disease. The two borreliae have overlapping vertebrate and tick hosts. While ticks serve as vectors for both species, they are also reservoirs for . Three genotypes are described, but further diversity is being recognised. The lack of sufficient cultivable isolates and vertebrate models compromise investigation of human infection and its consequences. Our understanding mainly originates from limited case series. In these, human infections mostly present as influenza-like illness, with relapsing fever in sporadic cases and neurological disease reported in immunocompromised patients. Unspecific clinical presentation, also occasionally resulting from Lyme- or other co-infections, complicates diagnosis, likely contributing to under-reporting. Diagnostics mainly employ PCR and serology. infections are treated with antimicrobials according to regimes used for Lyme disease.ConclusionsWith co-infection of tick-borne pathogens being commonplace, diagnostic improvements remain important. Developing in vivo models might allow more insight into human pathogenesis. Continued ecological and human case studies are key to better epidemiological understanding, guiding intervention strategies.
Topics: Amoxicillin; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Borrelia; Borrelia Infections; Borrelia burgdorferi; Disease Reservoirs; Disease Vectors; Humans; Ixodidae; Salivary Glands; Tick Bites; Ticks
PubMed: 31064634
DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2019.24.18.1800170