Historical distribution and host-vector diversity of Francisella tularensis, the causative agent of tularemia, in Ukraine

Hightower, Jake; Kracalik, Ian; Vydayko, Nataliya; Goodin, Douglas G.; Glass, Gregory; Blackburn, Jason K.

doi:10.1186/preaccept-1209994728131012

Cited by 10 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…These include above all the two maps by Kulik and Vinokurova (1983a, b), without which a good coverage of the countries of the former Soviet Union would not be possible. The same is true for Ukraine, for which Hightower et al (2014) compiled serveral tick maps in his master thesis. These tick maps are based on data of the period 1940-2008 provided by the CSES (Central Sanitary Epidemiological Station) bacterial archives in Kyiv, Ukraine (Hightower 2012).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 74%

Vectors of disease at the northern distribution limit of the genus Dermacentor in Eurasia: D. reticulatus and D. silvarum

et al. 2020

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The two ixodid tick species Dermacentor reticulatus (Fabricius) and Dermacentor silvarum Olenev occur at the northern distribution limit of the genus Dermacentor in Eurasia, within the belt of 34−60 • N latitude. Whilst the distribution area of D. reticulatus extends from the Atlantic coast of Portugal to Western Siberia, that of D. silvarum extends from Western Siberia to the Pacific coast. In Western Siberia, the distribution areas of the two Dermacentor species overlap. Although the two tick species are important vectors of disease, detailed information concerning the entire distribution area, climate adaptation, and proven vector competence is still missing. A dataset was compiled, resulting in 2188 georeferenced D. reticulatus and 522 D. silvarum locations. Up-to-date maps depicting the geographical distribution and climate adaptation of the two Dermacentor species are presented. To investigate the climate adaptation of the two tick species, the georeferenced locations were superimposed on a high-resolution map of the Köppen-Geiger climate classification. The frequency distribution of D. reticulatus under different climates shows two major peaks related to the following climates: warm temperate with precipitation all year round (57%) and boreal with precipitation all year round (40%). The frequency distribution of D. silvarum shows also two major peaks related to boreal climates with precipitation all year round (30%) and boreal winter dry climates (60%). Dermacentor silvarum seems to be rather flexible concerning summer temperatures, which can range from cool to hot. In climates with cool summers D. reticulatus does not occur, it prefers warm and to a lesser extent hot summers. Lists are given in this paper for cases of proven vector competence for various agents of both Dermacentor species. For the first time, the entire distribution areas of D. reticulatus and D. silvarum were mapped using georeferenced data. Their climate adaptations were quantified by Köppen profiles.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 74%

Vectors of disease at the northern distribution limit of the genus Dermacentor in Eurasia: D. reticulatus and D. silvarum

et al. 2020

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“…In Hungary a hare (Lepus europaeus)-tick cycle explains their inter-epizootic period [22] and should be studied in Georgia. Contaminated water also is likely to serve as a reservoir [23][24][25][26].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tularemia transmission to humans: a multifaceted surveillance approach

et al. 2018

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Tularemia has sustained seroprevalence in Eurasia, with estimates as high as 15% in endemic regions. The purpose of this report is to characterise the current epidemiology of Francisella tularensis subspecies holarctica in Georgia. Three surveillance activities are summarised: (1) acute infections captured in Georgia's notifiable disease surveillance system, (2) infectious disease seroprevalence study of military volunteers, and (3) a study of seroprevalence and risk factors in endemic regions. Descriptive analyses of demographic, exposure and clinical factors were conducted for the surveillance studies; bivariate analyses were computed to identify risk factors of seropositivity using likelihood ratio χ2 tests or Fisher's exact tests. Of the 19 incident cases reported between 2014 and August 2017, 10 were confirmed and nine met the presumptive definition; the estimated annual incidence was 0.12/100 000. The first cases of tularemia in Western Georgia were reported. Seroprevalences of antibodies for F. tularensis were 2.0% for military volunteers and 5.0% for residents in endemic regions. Exposures correlated with seropositivity included work with hay and contact with multiple types of animals. Seroprevalence studies conducted periodically may enhance our understanding of tularemia in countries with dramatically underestimated incidence rates.

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“…Timing of immigration was coded as <5 years and ≥ 5 years. The multinomial scan statistics identify zip codes with an increased occurrence of MTBC genotype clusters from particular populations based on birth country [ 35 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatiotemporal Clustering of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex Genotypes in Florida: Genetic Diversity Segregated by Country of Birth

et al. 2016

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BackgroundTuberculosis (TB) is caused by members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC). Although the MTBC is highly clonal, between-strain genetic diversity has been observed. In low TB incidence settings, immigration may facilitate the importation of MTBC strains with a potential to complicate TB control efforts.MethodsWe investigated the genetic diversity and spatiotemporal clustering of 2,510 MTBC strains isolated in Florida, United States, between 2009 and 2013 and genotyped using spoligotyping and 24-locus MIRU-VNTR. We mapped the genetic diversity to the centroid of patient residential zip codes using a geographic information system (GIS). We assessed transmission dynamics and the influence of immigration on genotype clustering using space-time permutation models adjusted for foreign-born population density and county-level HIV risk and multinomial models stratified by country of birth and timing of immigration in SaTScan.Principal FindingsAmong the 2,510 strains, 1,245 were reported among foreign-born persons; including 408 recent immigrants (<5 years). Strain allelic diversity (h) ranged from low to medium in most locations and was most diverse in urban centers where foreign-born population density was also high. Overall, 21.5% of cases among U.S.-born persons and 4.6% among foreign-born persons clustered genotypically and spatiotemporally and involved strains of the Haarlem family. One Haarlem space-time cluster identified in the mostly rural northern region of Florida included US/Canada-born individuals incarcerated at the time of diagnosis; two clusters in the mostly urban southern region of Florida were composed predominantly of foreign-born persons. Both groups had HIV prevalence above twenty percent.Conclusions/SignificanceAlmost five percent of TB cases reported in Florida during 2009–2013 were potentially due to recent transmission. Improvements to TB screening practices among the prison population and recent immigrants are likely to impact TB control. Due to the monomorphic nature of available markers, whole genome sequencing is needed to conclusively delineate recent transmission events between U.S. and foreign-born persons.

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Historical distribution and host-vector diversity of Francisella tularensis, the causative agent of tularemia, in Ukraine

Cited by 10 publications

References 10 publications

Vectors of disease at the northern distribution limit of the genus Dermacentor in Eurasia: D. reticulatus and D. silvarum

Vectors of disease at the northern distribution limit of the genus Dermacentor in Eurasia: D. reticulatus and D. silvarum

Tularemia transmission to humans: a multifaceted surveillance approach

Spatiotemporal Clustering of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex Genotypes in Florida: Genetic Diversity Segregated by Country of Birth

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