Tick bites in different professions and regions: pooled cross-sectional study in the focus area Bavaria, Germany

Schielein, Louisa; Tizek, Linda; Biedermann, Tilo; Zink, Alexander

doi:10.1186/s12889-021-12456-3

Cited by 9 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…27.7%). Similar percentages of tick exposure are reported in farmers from Germany (73.6%) [ 34 ] and Poland (87.0%) [ 35 ] and in forestry workers from Belgium (94.8%) [ 36 ]. However, although ticks display an anthropophilic feeding behaviour in absence of their proper host, the high percentage of tick bites reported by farmers and forestry workers is also be likely due to the scarce adherence to preventive measures and protective habits of these workers [ 37 ].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 74%

Seroprevalence of vector-borne pathogens in outdoor workers from southern Italy and associated occupational risk factors

et al. 2022

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Background Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) represent an emerging global threat to public health due to the geographical expansion of arthropod vectors. The study aims to assess the seroprevalence of selected vector-borne pathogens (VBPs) in different groups of outdoor workers and the occupational risk factors for exposure to arthropod bites. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 170 workers recruited in two different regions of southern Italy, including farmers, forestry workers, veterinarians, geologists/agronomists and administrative employees, and tested for IgG antibodies against Bartonella henselae, Borrelia spp. Coxiella burnetii and Rickettsia conorii, using a chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA). The relationship among job characteristics, tick exposure and the prevalence of seropositive subjects for each pathogen was investigated by applying categorical principal component analysis (CATPCA). Results A high seroprevalence for C. burnetii (30.0%) and R. conorii (15.3%) was reported, mainly in farmers (67.7% and 54.8%, respectively) and forestry workers (29.0% and 16.1%, respectively), while a low prevalence was observed for B. henselae and Borrelia spp. (8.8% and 4.1%, respectively). The regression equation by CATPCA was significant for C. burnetii and R. conorii (P < 0.001), showing a positive association with job, tick bite exposure, working area and contact with animals. Conclusions These findings highlight the need of activating an appropriate occupational health response for minimizing the risk of arthropod vector exposure in workplaces, considering specific preventive measures in particular in high-risk job categories. Graphical Abstract

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 74%

Seroprevalence of vector-borne pathogens in outdoor workers from southern Italy and associated occupational risk factors

et al. 2022

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“…In the studied area roughly 50% of ticks harbour B. burgdorferi [ 9 ]. In addition, it is assumed that 0.3–1.4% of tick bites by B. burgdorferi infected ticks result in clinically manifest disease [ 30 ]. According to this estimation, our 100 patients with Lyme disease represent another 14,000–66,000 tick bites.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spotted fever group rickettsiae and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato seropositive individuals with or without Lyme disease: A retrospective analysis

Kosak¹,

Satz²,

Jutzi³

et al. 2023

New Microbes and New Infections

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“…Recreational activities with increased risk for exposure to ticks include hiking, camping, cycling in woodland areas, hunting, fishing, birdwatching, and collecting mushrooms or berries (33)(34)(35)(36). Persons in certain occupations (e.g., farmers, forestry workers, military personnel, and researchers undertaking field work in rural areas) also might be at higher risk for exposure to infected ticks (17,37,38). Humans must enter a tick habitat to be at risk for infection because ticks do not, unaided, disperse widely (39,40).…”

Section: Transmission By Ticksmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Humans must enter a tick habitat to be at risk for infection because ticks do not, unaided, disperse widely (39,40). TBE virus infections acquired in urban areas (e.g., city parks) are occasionally reported; however, risk in urban areas is considered to be low (38,41,42).…”

Section: Transmission By Ticksmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tick-Borne Encephalitis Vaccine: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, United States, 2023

Hills,

Poehling,

Chen

et al. 2023

MMWR Recomm. Rep.

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Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus is focally endemic in parts of Europe and Asia. The virus is primarily transmitted to humans by the bites of infected Ixodes species ticks but can also be acquired less frequently by alimentary transmission. Other rare modes of transmission include through breastfeeding, blood transfusion, solid organ transplantation, and slaughtering of viremic animals. TBE virus can cause acute neurologic disease, which usually results in hospitalization, often permanent neurologic or cognitive sequelae, and sometimes death. TBE virus infection is a risk for certain travelers and for laboratory workers who work with the virus. In August 2021, the Food and Drug Administration approved Ticovac TBE vaccine for use among persons aged ≥1 year. This report summarizes the epidemiology of and risks for infection with TBE virus, provides information on the immunogenicity and safety of TBE vaccine, and summarizes the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for use of TBE vaccine among U.S. travelers and laboratory workers.The risk for TBE for most U.S. travelers to areas where the disease is endemic is very low. The risk for exposure to infected ticks is highest for persons who are in areas where TBE is endemic during the main TBE virus transmission season of April-November and who are planning to engage in recreational activities in woodland habitats or who might be occupationally exposed. All persons who travel to areas where TBE is endemic should be advised to take precautions to avoid tick bites and to avoid the consumption of unpasteurized dairy products because alimentary transmission of TBE virus can occur. TBE vaccine can further reduce infection risk and might be indicated for certain persons who are at higher risk for TBE. The key factors in the risk-benefit assessment for vaccination are likelihood of exposure to ticks based on activities and itinerary (e.g., location, rurality, season, and duration of travel or residence). Other risk-benefit considerations should include 1) the rare occurrence of TBE but its potentially high morbidity and mortality, 2) the higher risk for severe disease among certain persons (e.g., older persons aged ≥60 years), 3) the availability of an effective vaccine, 4) the possibility but low probability of serious adverse events after vaccination, 5) the likelihood of future travel to areas where TBE is endemic, and 6) personal perception and tolerance of risk.ACIP recommends TBE vaccine for U.S. persons who are moving or traveling to an area where the disease is endemic and will have extensive exposure to ticks based on their planned outdoor activities and itinerary. Extensive exposure can be considered based on the duration of travel and frequency of exposure and might include shorter-term (e.g., <1 month) travelers with daily or frequent exposure or longer-term travelers with regular (e.g., a few times a month) exposure to environments that might harbor infected ticks. In addition, TBE vaccine may be considered for persons who m...

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Tick bites in different professions and regions: pooled cross-sectional study in the focus area Bavaria, Germany

Cited by 9 publications

References 41 publications

Seroprevalence of vector-borne pathogens in outdoor workers from southern Italy and associated occupational risk factors

Seroprevalence of vector-borne pathogens in outdoor workers from southern Italy and associated occupational risk factors

Spotted fever group rickettsiae and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato seropositive individuals with or without Lyme disease: A retrospective analysis

Tick-Borne Encephalitis Vaccine: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, United States, 2023

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