Effects of tick population dynamics and host densities on the persistence of tick-borne infections

Rosà, Roberto; Pugliese, Andrea

doi:10.1016/j.mbs.2006.10.002

Cited by 113 publications

(141 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…Most models considering the effects of host diversity and abundance on pathogen prevalence in ticks have assumed that tick numbers are limited and are distributed over the hosts according to the abundance of these hosts 20,27,33,285,286 . However, the low survival rates between the different life stages of I. ricinus imply that the majority of larvae and nymphs do not survive to become adults 22 .…”

Section: Validation Of Model Assumptionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The wild life of tick-borne pathogens

Hofmeester

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Section: Validation Of Model Assumptionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The wild life of tick-borne pathogens

Hofmeester

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“…Engorged tick females drop off their hosts in new areas and lay eggs that are the starting point for new populations of infected ticks. These brief objections also apply to the assumption that greater populations of roe deer do not help the spread of TBEV, rather cause a dilution effect and thus reduce the risk of tick infection by TBEV (Perkins et al 2006, Rosa and Pugliese 2007, Pugliese and Rosa 2008). This study focused on two species of large game that are currently most widespread in the Czech Republic-roe deer and wild boar.…”

Section: Game Impact On Tick-borne Encephalitis Incidencementioning

confidence: 99%

The Role of Game (Wild Boar and Roe Deer) in the Spread of Tick-Borne Encephalitis in the Czech Republic

Kříž

Daniel

Beneš

et al. 2014

Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases

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In the Czech Republic, the incidence of human tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) has been increasing over the last two decades. At the same time, populations of game have also shown an upward trend. In this country, the ungulate game is the main host group of hosts for Ixodes ricinus female ticks. This study examined the potential contribution of two most widespread game species (roe deer [Capreolus capreolus] and wild boar [Sus scrofa]) to the high incidence of TBE in the Czech Republic, using the annual numbers of culls as a proxy for the game population. This was an ecological study, with annual figures for geographical areas-municipalities with extended competence (MEC)-used as units of analysis. Between 2003 and 2011, a total of 6213 TBE cases were reported, and 1062,308 roe deer and 989,222 wild boars were culled; the culls of roe deer did not demonstrate a clear temporal trend, but wild boar culls almost doubled (from 77,269 to 143,378 per year). Statistical analyses revealed a positive association between TBE incidence rate and the relative number of culled wild boars. In multivariate analyses, a change in the numbers of culled wild boars between the 25th and 75th percentile was associated with TBE incidence rate ratio of 1.23 (95% confidence interval 1.07-1.41, p = 0.003). By contrast, the association of TBE with culled roe deer was not statistically significant ( p = 0.481). The results suggest that the size of the wild boar population may have contributed to the current high levels and the rising trend in incidence of TBE, whereas the regulated population of roe deer does not seem to be implicated in recent geographical or temporal variations in TBE in the Czech Republic.

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“…This is especially true when empirical trials of tick control methods are made difficult through practical and ethical constraints. Mathematics has a well established history of use in describing the dynamics of tick borne diseases (Cooksey et al, 1990;O'Callaghan et al, 1998;Rosa and Pugliese, 2007;Hartemink et al, 2008). Our aim is to investigate theoretically the effectiveness of controlling a vector-borne disease in one species by reducing the vector population through the management of a second species.…”

Section: Control Strategies Of Louping Ill Virusmentioning

confidence: 99%

Controlling tick-borne diseases through domestic animal management: a theoretical approach

2010

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Vector-borne diseases are of global importance to human and animal health. Empirical trials of effective methods to control vectors and their pathogens can be difficult for practical, financial and ethical reasons. Here, therefore, we use a mathematical model to predict the effectiveness of a vector-borne disease control method. As a case study we use the tick-louping ill virus system, where sheep are treated with acaricide in an attempt to control ticks and disease in red grouse , an economically important game bird. We ran the model under different scenarios of sheep flock sizes, alternative host (deer) densities, acaricide efficacies and tick burdens. The model predicted that, with very low deer densities, using sheep as tick mops can reduce the tick population and virus prevalence. However, treatment is ineffective above a certain threshold deer density, dependent on the comparative tick burden on sheep and deer. The model also predicted that high efficacy levels of acaricide must be maintained for effective tick control. This study suggests that benignly managing one host species to protect another host species from a vector and pathogen can be effective under certain conditions. It also highlights the importance of understanding the ecological complexity of a system, in order to target control methods only under certain circumstances for maximum effectiveness.

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Effects of tick population dynamics and host densities on the persistence of tick-borne infections

Cited by 113 publications

References 32 publications

The wild life of tick-borne pathogens

The wild life of tick-borne pathogens

The Role of Game (Wild Boar and Roe Deer) in the Spread of Tick-Borne Encephalitis in the Czech Republic

Controlling tick-borne diseases through domestic animal management: a theoretical approach

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