Detection of multiple tick-borne pathogens in Ixodes scapularis from Hunterdon County, NJ, USA

Narvaez, Zoe E.; Rainey, Tadhgh; Puelle, Rose; Khan, Arsala; Jordan, Robert A.; Egizi, Andrea M.; Price, Dana C.

doi:10.1016/j.crpvbd.2023.100140

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

References 66 publications

(94 reference statements)

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“…Despite their utility, multiplex PCR assays also have some key limitations. Most assays target only three to five agents, representing a considerable shortcoming in diagnostic capacity when employed within a TBD endemic area with a wide spectrum of co-circulating agents [21,43,47,48,62,168,171]. In addition, as with standard PCR, multiplex assays require matching primer sequences and template material and thus are unlikely to detect new emergent agents.…”

Section: Molecular Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tick-Borne Co-Infections: Challenges in Molecular and Serologic Diagnoses

Sanchez-Vicente,

Tokarz

2023

Pathogens

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Co-infections are a poorly understood aspect of tick-borne diseases. In the United States alone, nineteen different tick-borne pathogens have been identified. The majority of these agents are transmitted by only two tick species, Ixodes scapularis and Amblyomma americanum. Surveillance studies have demonstrated the presence of multiple pathogens in individual ticks suggesting a risk of polymicrobial transmission to humans. However, relatively few studies have explored this relationship and its impact on human disease. One of the key factors for this deficiency are the intrinsic limitations associated with molecular and serologic assays employed for the diagnosis of tick-borne diseases. Limitations in the sensitivity, specificity and most importantly, the capacity for inclusion of multiple agents within a single assay represent the primary challenges for the accurate detection of polymicrobial tick-borne infections. This review will focus on outlining these limitations and discuss potential solutions for the enhanced diagnosis of tick-borne co-infections.

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