Prevalence of the Lyme Disease Spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi, in Blacklegged Ticks, Ixodes scapularis at Hamilton-Wentworth, Ontario

Abstract

Lyme disease has emerged as a major health concern in Canada, where the etiological agent, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.), a spirochetal bacterium, is typically spread by the bite of certain ticks. This study explores the presence of B. burgdorferi s.l. in blacklegged ticks, Ixodes scapularis, collected at Dundas, Ontario (a locality within the region of Hamilton-Wentworth). Using passive surveillance, veterinarians and pet groomers were asked to collect blacklegged ticks from dogs and cats with no history of travel. Additionally, I. scapularis specimens were submitted from local residents and collected by flagging. Overall, 12 (41%) of 29 blacklegged ticks were infected with B. burgdorferi s.l. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing, two borrelial amplicons were characterized as B. burgdorferi sensu stricto (s.s.), a genospecies pathogenic to humans and certain domestic animals. Notably, three different vertebrate hosts each had two engorged I. scapularis females removed on the same day and, likewise, one cat had three repeat occurrences of this tick species. These multiple infestations suggest that a population of I. scapularis may be established in this area. The local public health unit has been underreporting the presence of B. burgdorferi s.l.-infected I. scapularis in the area encompassing Dundas. Our findings raise concerns about the need to erect tick warning signs in parkland areas. Veterinarians, medical professionals, public health officials, and the general public must be vigilant that Lyme disease-carrying blacklegged ticks pose a public health risk in the Dundas area and the surrounding Hamilton-Wentworth region.

Detection and Transstadial Passage of Babesia Species and Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato in Ticks Collected from Avian and Mammalian Hosts in Canada

“…During flagging operations, we obtained 21 I. scapularis adults that were positive for Bbsl. These Bbsl-positive I. scapularis are congruent with other tick studies in southwestern Ontario [19,[33][34][35]38]. When blacklegged ticks are not conducting host-seeking activities, they descend to the forest floor refuge, re-hydrate, and have a climate-controlled microhabitat.…”

“…Whenever ground-frequenting passerines are heavily infested with ticks, they can initiate new foci of established populations hundreds of kilometres from their original geographic source [14,32]. Documentation of Bbsl-positive I. scapularis ticks within the southernmost part of mainland Ontario [33][34][35][36][37][38] have been ongoing. In contrast, documentation of Babesia-positive I. scapularis ticks have been limited [39,40].…”

Monitoring of Nesting Songbirds Detects Established Population of Blacklegged Ticks and Associated Lyme Disease Endemic Area in Canada

“…We put forth the following definition for a Lyme disease endemic area based on comprehensive, tick and Lyme disease research across Canada [8], and similarly, conducting field studies and monitoring multiple established tick populations [4,8,12,14,19,22,[48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58]: A Lyme disease endemic area is defined as an established population of vector ticks infected with the Lyme disease bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, at a geographic locality in a single collection period. The present bird-tick-pathogen study at Montée Biggar, Québec meets this definition for a Lyme disease endemic area.…”

Selective Essential Oils from Spice or Culinary Herbs Have High Activity against Stationary Phase and Biofilm Borrelia burgdorferi

“…Lyme disease or Borreliosis is the most common vector borne illness in the United States with an estimated 300,000 cases per year ( 1 ). The illness is transmitted by a tick bite and in some endemic areas, where more than 40% of the ticks are infected with the causative agent of Borreliosis, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex species, which increases the risk of transmission to human host ( 2 ).…”