Correlation between Tick Density and Pathogen Endemicity, New Hampshire

Walk, Seth T.; Xu, Gaochao; Stull, Jason W.; Rich, Stephen M.

doi:10.3201/eid1504.080940

Cited by 36 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 9 publications

(7 reference statements)

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“…Epidemiological studies often involve isolation and characterization of multiple B. burgdorferi strains from regions of endemicity (58,59,66,67,102). However, there is no simple test to determine whether a new isolate is indeed a very different strain or is similar to one of the strains previously isolated from the same region.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Detection of Established Virulence Genes and Plasmids To Differentiate Borrelia burgdorferi Strains

2012

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ABSTRACTBorrelia burgdorferisensu stricto is the major causative agent of Lyme disease in the United States, whileB. gariniiandB. afzeliiare more prevalent in Europe. The highly complex genome ofB. burgdorferiis comprised of a linear chromosome and a large number of variably sized linear and circular plasmids. Many plasmids of this spirochete are unstable during its culturein vitro. Given that many of theB. burgdorferivirulence factors identified to date are plasmid encoded, spirochetal plasmid content determination is essential for genetic analysis of Lyme pathogenesis. Although PCR-based assays facilitate plasmid profiling of sequencedB. burgdorferistrains, a rapid genetic content determination strategy for nonsequenced strains has not yet been described. In this study, we combined pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and Southern hybridization for detection of genes encoding known virulence factors,ribosomal RNA genespacer restriction fragment length polymorphismtypes (RSTs),ospCgroup determination, and sequencing of the variabledbpAandospCgenes. We show that two strains isolated from the same tick and both originally named N40 are in fact very distinct. Furthermore, we failed to detectbbk32, which encodes a fibronectin-binding adhesin, in one “N40” strain. Thus, two distinct strains that show different plasmid profiles, as determined by PFGE and PCR, were isolated from the same tick and vary in theirospCanddbpAsequences. However, both belong to group RST3B.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Detection of Established Virulence Genes and Plasmids To Differentiate Borrelia burgdorferi Strains

2012

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“…Well delineated areas of Connecticut have been identified as locations where B. microti is highly endemic, but distally from these areas of high endemicity, the parasite's distribution decreases and is less well defined (62). Similarly, our current understanding of the parasite's distribution is dynamic, with evidence of human infections now being described in Maine and New Hampshire (83,92,123). This may reflect an actual expansion of the parasite's geographic distribution or increased recognition of infection, perhaps acquired elsewhere, by physicians.…”

Section: Exclusion Factorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transfusion-TransmittedBabesiaspp.: Bull's-Eye onBabesia microti

2011

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SUMMARY Babesia spp. are intraerythrocytic protozoan parasites of animals and humans that cause babesiosis, a zoonotic disease transmitted primarily by tick vectors. Although a variety of species or types of Babesia have been described in the literature as causing infection in humans, the rodent parasite Babesia microti has emerged as the focal point of human disease, especially in the United States. Not only has B. microti become established as a public health concern, this agent is increasingly being transmitted by blood transfusion: estimates suggest that between 70 and 100 cases of transfusion-transmitted Babesia (TTB) have occurred over the last 30 years. A recent upsurge in TTB cases attributable to B. microti , coupled with at least 12 fatalities in transfusion recipients diagnosed with babesiosis, has elevated TTB to a key policy issue in transfusion medicine. Despite clarity on a need to mitigate transmission risk, few options are currently available to prevent the transmission of B. microti by blood transfusion. Future mitigation efforts may stress serological screening of blood donors in regionalized areas of endemicity, with adjunct nucleic acid testing during the summer months, when acute infections are prevalent. However, several hurdles remain, including the absence of a licensed blood screening assay and a thorough cost-benefit analysis of proposed interventions. Despite current obstacles, continued discussion of TTB without proactive intervention is no longer a viable alternative.

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“…It has been reported that a wet January-March may aid tick survival and that there is an association between tick establishment and LB endemicity in ticks. 4,23 Moreover, it has been reported that infection rates in ticks correlate with disease frequency in humans. 23 In the east of Scotland, January-March rainfall peaked in 2008, coinciding with the dramatic rise of LB in Tayside (Figure 2A).…”

Section: Clinical Categorymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…4,23 Moreover, it has been reported that infection rates in ticks correlate with disease frequency in humans. 23 In the east of Scotland, January-March rainfall peaked in 2008, coinciding with the dramatic rise of LB in Tayside (Figure 2A). That year also had a dry summer, potentially leading to increased human exposure.…”

Section: Clinical Categorymentioning

confidence: 99%

Is Tayside becoming a Scottish hotspot for Lyme borreliosis?

Slack

Mavin²,

Yirrell³

et al. 2011

JRCPE

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The epidemiology of Lyme borreliosis (LB) in Tayside was studied and compared with Highland (an area of high endemicity) and the rest of Scotland. From April 2001 to March 2008 the incidence of LB in Tayside rose from an estimated 2.57 to 5.84 per 100,000 population. In 2008/09 the incidence of LB in Tayside increased further to an estimated 13.85 per 100,000 population. This rise was significant and, although numerically less than that in Highland (37.24 to 49.69 per 100,000 population), it was proportionally much larger (137% vs 33%) and confirmed that LB in Tayside has diverged from that in non-endemic Scottish regions. The dramatic rise of LB in Tayside cannot be accounted for by changes in laboratory protocol or changes in the number or demographics of patients tested. However, changes in climatic conditions and alterations in clinical presentations may have contributed to this significant rise.

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Correlation between Tick Density and Pathogen Endemicity, New Hampshire

Cited by 36 publications

References 9 publications

Detection of Established Virulence Genes and Plasmids To Differentiate Borrelia burgdorferi Strains

Detection of Established Virulence Genes and Plasmids To Differentiate Borrelia burgdorferi Strains

Transfusion-TransmittedBabesiaspp.: Bull's-Eye onBabesia microti

Is Tayside becoming a Scottish hotspot for Lyme borreliosis?

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