Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Illinois medical professionals related to ticks and tick-borne disease

Carson, Dawn A.; Kopsco, Heather L; Gronemeyer, Peg; Mateus‐Pinilla, Nohra E.; Smith, Gordon S.; Sandstrom, Emma N.; Smith, Rebecca L.

doi:10.1016/j.onehlt.2022.100424

Cited by 12 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…For example, Florida has multiple tick species of medical and veterinary importance [ 18 , 19 ] and reports in-state-acquired human TBD cases each year, such as ehrlichiosis, spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsioses, and to a lesser extent, Lyme disease [ 20 ]. The majority of ehrlichiosis and rickettsial diseases are reported from the north and central parts of the state [ 20 ], and underdiagnosis of TBD may underestimate the actual number of TBD cases [ 21 , 22 , 23 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens in Recreational Greenspaces in North Central Florida, USA

et al. 2023

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Tick-borne infections are an increasing medical and veterinary concern in the southeastern United States, but there is limited understanding of how recreational greenspaces influence the hazard of pathogen transmission. This study aimed to estimate the potential human and companion animal encounter risk with different questing tick species, and the bacterial or protozoal agents they carry in recreational greenspaces. We collected ticks bimonthly along trails and designated recreational areas in 17 publicly accessible greenspaces, in and around Gainesville, Florida, USA. We collected Amblyomma americanum, Ixodes scapularis, Amblyomma maculatum, Dermacentor variabilis, Ixodes affinis, and Haemaphysalis leporispalustris. Across the six tick species collected, we detected 18 species of bacteria or protozoa within the Babesia, Borrelia, Cytauxzoon, Cryptoplasma (Allocryptoplasma), Ehrlichia, Hepatozoon, Rickettsia, and Theileria genera, including pathogens of medical or veterinary importance. While tick abundance and associated microorganism prevalence and richness were the greatest in natural habitats surrounded by forests, we found both ticks and pathogenic microorganisms in manicured groundcover. This relationship is important for public health and awareness, because it suggests that the probability of encountering an infected tick is measurable and substantial even on closely manicured turf or gravel, if the surrounding landcover is undeveloped. The presence of medically important ticks and pathogenic microorganisms in recreational greenspaces indicates that public education efforts regarding ticks and tick-borne diseases are warranted in this region of the United States.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens in Recreational Greenspaces in North Central Florida, USA

et al. 2023

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“…Of greatest concern for public health is the increasing likelihood of these additional vector tick species near the higher population centers along the Illinois River and surrounding Chicago. We have found that few medical professionals in northern areas of Illinois were familiar with the risk of ehrlichiosis within the state [ 85 ], despite 422 cases between 2011 and 2021 [ 75 ]. This is likely due to the current abundance of A. americanum being higher in the southern portion of the state and is likely to delay the diagnosis and treatment of pathogens vectored by these less-studied tick species.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Current and Future Habitat Suitability Models for Four Ticks of Medical Concern in Illinois, USA

Kopsco

Gronemeyer

Mateus‐Pinilla

et al. 2023

Insects

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The greater U.S. Midwest is on the leading edge of tick and tick-borne disease (TBD) expansion, with tick and TBD encroachment into Illinois occurring from both the northern and the southern regions. To assess the historical and future habitat suitability of four ticks of medical concern within the state, we fit individual and mean-weighted ensemble species distribution models for Ixodes scapularis, Amblyomma americanum, Dermacentor variabilis, and a newly invading species, Amblyomma maculatum using a variety of landscape and mean climate variables for the periods of 1970–2000, 2041–2060, and 2061–2080. Ensemble model projections for the historical climate were consistent with known distributions of each species but predicted the habitat suitability of A. maculatum to be much greater throughout Illinois than what known distributions demonstrate. The presence of forests and wetlands were the most important landcover classes predicting the occurrence of all tick species. As the climate warmed, the expected distribution of all species became strongly responsive to precipitation and temperature variables, particularly precipitation of the warmest quarter and mean diurnal range, as well as proximity to forest cover and water sources. The suitable habitat for I. scapularis, A. americanum, and A. maculatum was predicted to significantly narrow in the 2050 climate scenario and then increase more broadly statewide in the 2070 scenario but at reduced likelihoods. Predicting where ticks may invade and concentrate as the climate changes will be important to anticipate, prevent, and treat TBD in Illinois.

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“…Recognition and general awareness of alpha-gal allergy are growing [ 21 ], but health care providers’ knowledge of the connection between lone star ticks and alpha-gal allergy may be lagging. A recent survey conducted among clinicians in Illinois revealed a lack of awareness regarding the link between lone star tick bites and alpha-gal allergy, as well as limited familiarity with diagnostic testing for the condition [ 22 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Emerging Trends in Information-Seeking Behavior for Alpha-Gal Syndrome: Infodemiology Study Using Time Series and Content Analysis

Romeiser,

Jusko,

Williams

2024

J Med Internet Res

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Background Alpha-gal syndrome is an emerging allergy characterized by an immune reaction to the carbohydrate molecule alpha-gal found in red meat. This unique food allergy is likely triggered by a tick bite. Cases of the allergy are on the rise, but prevalence estimates do not currently exist. Furthermore, varying symptoms and limited awareness of the allergy among health care providers contribute to delayed diagnosis, leading individuals to seek out their own information and potentially self-diagnose. Objective The study aimed to (1) describe the volume and patterns of information-seeking related to alpha-gal, (2) explore correlations between alpha-gal and lone star ticks, and (3) identify specific areas of interest that individuals are searching for in relation to alpha-gal. Methods Google Trends Supercharged-Glimpse, a new extension of Google Trends, provides estimates of the absolute volume of searches and related search queries. This extension was used to assess trends in searches for alpha-gal and lone star ticks (lone star tick, alpha gal, and meat allergy, as well as food allergy for comparison) in the United States. Time series analyses were used to examine search volume trends over time, and Spearman correlation matrices and choropleth maps were used to explore geographic and temporal correlations between alpha-gal and lone star tick searches. Content analysis was performed on related search queries to identify themes and subcategories that are of interest to information seekers. Results Time series analysis revealed a rapidly increasing trend in search volumes for alpha-gal beginning in 2015. After adjusting for long-term trends, seasonal trends, and media coverage, from 2015 to 2022, the predicted adjusted average annual percent change in search volume for alpha-gal was 33.78%. The estimated overall change in average search volume was 627%. In comparison, the average annual percent change was 9.23% for lone star tick, 7.34% for meat allergy, and 2.45% for food allergy during this time. Geographic analysis showed strong significant correlations between alpha-gal and lone star tick searches especially in recent years (ρ=0.80; P<.001), with primary overlap and highest search rates found in the southeastern region of the United States. Content analysis identified 10 themes of primary interest: diet, diagnosis or testing, treatment, medications or contraindications of medications, symptoms, tick related, specific sources of information and locations, general education information, alternative words for alpha-gal, and unrelated or other. Conclusions The study provides insights into the changing information-seeking patterns for alpha-gal, indicating growing awareness and interest. Alpha-gal search volume is increasing at a rapid rate. Understanding specific questions and concerns can help health care providers and public health educators to tailor communication strategies. The Google Trends Supercharged-Glimpse tool offers enhanced features for analyzing information-seeking behavior and can be valuable for infodemiology research. Further research is needed to explore the evolving prevalence and impact of alpha-gal syndrome.

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Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Illinois medical professionals related to ticks and tick-borne disease

Cited by 12 publications

References 31 publications

Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens in Recreational Greenspaces in North Central Florida, USA

Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens in Recreational Greenspaces in North Central Florida, USA

Current and Future Habitat Suitability Models for Four Ticks of Medical Concern in Illinois, USA

Emerging Trends in Information-Seeking Behavior for Alpha-Gal Syndrome: Infodemiology Study Using Time Series and Content Analysis

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