Species Distribution Models and Ecological Suitability Analysis for Potential Tick Vectors of Lyme Disease in Mexico

Abstract

Species distribution models were constructed for ten Ixodes species and Amblyomma cajennense for a region including Mexico and Texas. The model was based on a maximum entropy algorithm that used environmental layers to predict the relative probability of presence for each taxon. For Mexico, species geographic ranges were predicted by restricting the models to cells which have a higher probability than the lowest probability of the cells in which a presence record was located. There was spatial nonconcordance between the distributions of Amblyomma cajennense and the Ixodes group with the former restricted to lowlands and mainly the eastern coast of Mexico and the latter to montane regions with lower temperature. The risk of Lyme disease is, therefore, mainly present in the highlands where some Ixodes species are known vectors; if Amblyomma cajennense turns out to be a competent vector, the area of risk also extends to the lowlands and the east coast.

Serological Evidence of Borrelia Burgdorferi Infection in Mexican Patients with Facial Palsy

“…These differences are probably influenced by climate variations and the associated occupational and recreational activities, which are important risk factors for exposure to the infected vector 3,4,14, [22][23][24] .…”

Life cycle of Amblyomma mixtum (Acari: Ixodidae) parasitizing different hosts under laboratory conditions

“…The colony of A. mixtum provides an opportunity to produce a continuous supply of ticks for further research on their biology, role as a vector of disease agents, and control technologies. This is especially important in parts of North America where A. mixtum is a vector of veterinary and public health importance, including Mexico, where laboratory colonies are not available (Gonzalez-Ceron et al 2009;Illoldi-Rangel et al 2012;Alonso-Diaz et al 2013).…”

Pathogenic Landscape of Transboundary Zoonotic Diseases in the Mexico–US Border Along the Rio Grande

“…Also, Ixodes ticks infected with B. burgdorferi sensu stricto occur in the same States ( 129 ), and recently the infection has been documented in white-tailed deer ( 130 ). Distribution models of potential tick vectors in Mexico point to a wide distribution range that overlaps not only Northeastern Mexican States along the border with the US, but also extend to central Mexico ( 131 , 132 ). These studies, together with confirmed clinical cases of LD acquired in parks near Mexico City ( 133 , 134 ), demonstrate the existence of a zoonotic cycle responsible for LD in Mexico.…”