Statewide Passive Surveillance of <i>Ixodes scapularis</i> and Associated Pathogens in Maine

Rounsville, Thomas F; Dill, Griffin M; Bryant, Ann; Desjardins, Claudia; Dill, J. F.

doi:10.1089/vbz.2020.2724

Cited by 16 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…Peak host-seeking activity of nymphs is typically observed in early summer while peak host-seeking activity of larvae is most commonly observed in late summer (Piesman et al 1987, Yuval and Spielman 1990, Ostfeld et al 1996, Stafford et al 1998, Falco et al 1999, Simmons et al 2015, Elias et al 2020). Similar patterns have been observed in the Northeast for I. scapularis collected directly from humans through passive surveillance systems (Xu et al 2016, Little et al 2019, Rounsville et al 2021). Ixodes scapularis nymphs are considered the most epidemiologically important life stage with adults also being capable of transmitting pathogens (Stafford et al 1998, Pepin et al 2012).…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 79%

Seasonal activity patterns of host-seeking Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) in Minnesota, 2015–2017

Burtis

Bjork

Johnson

et al. 2023

Journal of Medical Entomology

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As the primary vector of Lyme disease spirochetes and several other medically significant pathogens, Ixodes scapularis presents a threat to public health in the United States. The incidence of Lyme disease is growing rapidly in upper midwestern states, particularly Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. The probability of a tick bite, acarological risk, is affected by the phenology of host-seeking I. scapularis. Phenology has been well-studied in northeastern states, but not in the Upper Midwest. We conducted biweekly drag sampling across 4 woodland sites in Minnesota between April and November from 2015 to 2017. The majority of ticks collected were I. scapularis (82%). Adults were active throughout our entire 8-month collection season, with sporadic activity during the summer, larger peaks in activity observed in April, and less consistent and lower peaks observed in October. Nymphs were most active from May through August, with continuing low-level activity in October, and peak activity most commonly observed in June. The observed nymphal peak corresponded with the typical peak in reported human Lyme disease and anaplasmosis cases. These findings are consistent with previous studies from the Upper Midwest and highlight a risk of human exposure to I. scapularis at least from April through November. This information may aid in communicating the seasonality of acarological risk for those living in Minnesota and other upper midwestern states as well as being relevant to the assessment of the ecoepidemiology of Lyme disease and the modeling of transmission dynamics.

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Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 79%

Seasonal activity patterns of host-seeking Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) in Minnesota, 2015–2017

Burtis

Bjork

Johnson

et al. 2023

Journal of Medical Entomology

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“…All life stages of I . scapularis and D. variabilis were tested for the presence of the most common tick-borne pathogens reported in New England (i.e., Rounsville et al 2021). Ticks were tested by fee for service laboratories, following each laboratories' protocols (Dykstra et al 2020).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Passive collection of ticks in New Hampshire reveals species-specific patterns of distribution and activity

Fernández-Ruiz

Estrada-Peña

McElroy³

et al. 2023

Journal of Medical Entomology

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Ticks and tick-borne diseases are increasing in the United States, including New Hampshire (NH). We report on the findings of an ongoing free crowdsourcing program spanning four years within NH. The date of tick’s submission was recorded along with species, sex, stage, location they were collected (translated into latitude and longitude), the activity the individual was doing when the tick was found, and host species. A total of 14,252 ticks belonging to subclass Acari, family Ixodidae and genera Ixodes, Dermacentor, Amblyomma, and Haemaphysalis was recorded from the period 2018–2021 throughout NH. A total of 2,787 Ixodes scapularis and 1,041 Dermacentor variabilis, were tested for the presence of Borrelia sp. (Spirochaetales: Spirochaetaceae), B. burgdorferi sensu lato, B. miyamotoi, B. mayonii, Babesia microti (Piroplasmida: Babesiidae), Anaplasma phagocytophilum (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae), Francisella tularensis (Thiotrichales: Francisellaceae), and Rickettsia rickettsii (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae) by PCR. For the I. scapularis ticks tested, the pathogen prevalence was 37% B. burgdorferi s.l. 1% B. miyamotoi, 6% A. phagocytophilum, and 5% Ba. microti. Only one D. variabilis resulted positive to F. tularensis. We created state-wide maps informing the differences of ticks as detailed by administrative divisions. Dermacentor variabilis peaked in June and I. scapularis peaked in May and October. The most reported activity by people with tick encounters was while walking/hiking, and the least was biking. Using the reported distribution of both species of ticks, we modeled their climate suitability in the target territory. In NH, I. scapularis and D. variabilis have distinct patterns of emergence, abundance, and distribution. Tick prevention is important especially during April–August when both tick species are abundant and active.

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“… 98 The expansion of both the primary reservoir host and insect vector of B. burgdorferi have serious and compounding implications for the increasing risk of Lyme disease in North America. 99 …”

Section: Insect Vectorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Climate Change and Infections on the Move in North America

Hauser

Conlon

Desai

et al. 2021

IDR

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Climate change is increasingly recognized for its impacts on human health, including how biotic and abiotic factors are driving shifts in infectious disease. Changes in ecological conditions and processes due to temperature and precipitation fluctuations and intensified disturbance regimes are affecting infectious pathogen transmission, habitat, hosts, and the characteristics of pathogens themselves. Understanding the relationships between climate change and infectious diseases can help clinicians broaden the scope of differential diagnoses when interviewing, diagnosing, and treating patients presenting with infections lacking obvious agents or transmission pathways. Here, we highlight key examples of how the mechanisms of climate change affect infectious diseases associated with water, fire, land, insects, and human transmission pathways in the hope of expanding the analytical framework for infectious disease diagnoses. Increased awareness of these relationships can help prepare both clinical physicians and epidemiologists for continued impacts of climate change on infectious disease in the future.

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Statewide Passive Surveillance of Ixodes scapularis and Associated Pathogens in Maine

Cited by 16 publications

References 23 publications

Seasonal activity patterns of host-seeking Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) in Minnesota, 2015–2017

Seasonal activity patterns of host-seeking Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) in Minnesota, 2015–2017

Passive collection of ticks in New Hampshire reveals species-specific patterns of distribution and activity

Climate Change and Infections on the Move in North America

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