Ticks infesting humans in Central America: A review of their relevance in public health

Bermúdez, Sergio; A., Lillian Domínguez; Troyo, Adriana; H., Víctor M. Montenegro; Venzal, José M.

doi:10.1016/j.crpvbd.2021.100065

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 45 publications

(77 reference statements)

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“…Central America has a history of various infectious diseases impacting large numbers of people, notably many neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) such as Chagas disease, leishmaniasis, and dengue [ 12 , 13 , 14 ]. Despite the wide range of potential hosts and suitable tropical habitat for ticks in this region, information on tick-borne disease risk, including SFGR, risk factors, ecology, and epidemiology, is limited [ 15 , 16 ]. Fifteen tick-borne pathogens have been documented in the Central America and Caribbean region, approximately half of which are in the SFGR group [ 15 ].…”

Section: Introduction To Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Fifteen tick-borne pathogens have been documented in the Central America and Caribbean region, approximately half of which are in the SFGR group [ 15 ]. Approximately 80 species of ticks have been documented in the region, many of which are competent pathogen vectors [ 16 ]. However, given the vast biodiversity of fauna (both ticks and potential hosts) and poor public health systems in this region, it is thought that the number of pathogens circulating in this environment and human populations is a severe underestimation [ 15 ].…”

Section: Introduction To Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Spotted Fever Group Rickettsioses in Central America: The Research and Public Health Disparity among Socioeconomic Lines

Dye‐Braumuller

Aquino

Self

et al. 2022

Insects

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Tick-borne diseases including rickettsial diseases are increasing in incidence worldwide. Many rickettsial pathogens can cause disease which is commonly underdiagnosed and underreported; Rickettsia pathogens in the spotted fever group (SFGR) are thus classified as neglected bacterial pathogens. The Central American region shoulders a large proportion of the global neglected disease burden; however, little is known regarding SFGR disease here. Although development varies, four of the seven countries in this region have both the highest poverty rates and SFGR disease burdens (El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, and Nicaragua), compared to Belize, Panama, and Costa Rica. Utilizing the Human Development Index (HDI), we compared published articles related to SFGR Rickettsia prevalence in the lowest-HDI-scoring countries to the highest-HDI-scoring countries. Our analysis identified a distinct dichotomy in publication, and by proxy, potentially awareness and knowledge of SFGR tick-borne disease in Central America, where the least-developed countries are at the highest risk for, yet the most vulnerable to, SFGR disease.

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Section: Introduction To Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introduction To Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spotted Fever Group Rickettsioses in Central America: The Research and Public Health Disparity among Socioeconomic Lines

Dye‐Braumuller

Aquino

Self

et al. 2022

Insects

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Understanding the long-lasting associations among humans, neglected dogs, tick-borne diseases, and core blood bacteria-related pathogenic taxa using next-generation sequencing

Barraza-Guerrero,

García-De la Peña,

Meza-Herrera

et al. 2024

Int J One Health

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Background and Aim: Dogs are long-lasting companion animals, and ticks are the most common external parasites in dogs. An increase in the population of neglected domestic dogs has increased the risk of contact with ticks, especially in places where tick-borne diseases (TBDs) are endemic. We aimed to characterize the bacterial blood profiles of people who were either exposed (HE) or not exposed (HC) to tick bites using next-generation sequencing (NGS). Materials and Methods: In the present study, the bacteria observed in the blood of people exposed to tick bites were compared with those in the blood of people not exposed to tick bites in Northern Mexico. Human blood samples (n = 12) were analyzed, DNA was extracted, and the V3–V4 region of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene was amplified. In addition, NGS was performed on a MiSeq platform (Illumina), and the data were analyzed through Quantitative Insights into Microbial Ecology. Results: Differences in beta diversity were significant. In HEs, several potentially pathogenic bacterial taxa were found to be the most abundant: Kocuria ( x = 14.59%), Staphylococcus ( x = 3.05%), and Treponema ( x = 2.93%), in addition to Chlamydia, Clostridium, and Ehrlichia, which are considered TBDs. Conclusion: This study identified important differences in the bacterial composition of the HE and HC groups. In addition to Ehrlichia (a TBD considered a taxon), other bacterial pathogenic taxa, such as Chlamydia, Clostridium, Kocuria, Staphylococcus, and Treponema, were also observed in the tick bite-exposed group. Future studies with larger sample sizes should provide an improved understanding of the human blood microbiome profile by providing additional evidence of tick exposure, associated TBDs, and other pathogenic bacterial taxa. Keywords: Blood, Ehrlichia, microbiome, tick bites, tick-borne diseases, ticks.

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The Impact of Deforestation, Urbanization, and Changing Land Use Patterns on the Ecology of Mosquito and Tick-Borne Diseases in Central America

Ortiz

Piche-Ovares

Romero

et al. 2021

Insects

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Central America is a unique geographical region that connects North and South America, enclosed by the Caribbean Sea to the East, and the Pacific Ocean to the West. This region, encompassing Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, and Nicaragua, is highly vulnerable to the emergence or resurgence of mosquito-borne and tick-borne diseases due to a combination of key ecological and socioeconomic determinants acting together, often in a synergistic fashion. Of particular interest are the effects of land use changes, such as deforestation-driven urbanization and forest degradation, on the incidence and prevalence of these diseases, which are not well understood. In recent years, parts of Central America have experienced social and economic improvements; however, the region still faces major challenges in developing effective strategies and significant investments in public health infrastructure to prevent and control these diseases. In this article, we review the current knowledge and potential impacts of deforestation, urbanization, and other land use changes on mosquito-borne and tick-borne disease transmission in Central America and how these anthropogenic drivers could affect the risk for disease emergence and resurgence in the region. These issues are addressed in the context of other interconnected environmental and social challenges.

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Ticks infesting humans in Central America: A review of their relevance in public health

Cited by 4 publications

References 45 publications

Spotted Fever Group Rickettsioses in Central America: The Research and Public Health Disparity among Socioeconomic Lines

Spotted Fever Group Rickettsioses in Central America: The Research and Public Health Disparity among Socioeconomic Lines

Understanding the long-lasting associations among humans, neglected dogs, tick-borne diseases, and core blood bacteria-related pathogenic taxa using next-generation sequencing

The Impact of Deforestation, Urbanization, and Changing Land Use Patterns on the Ecology of Mosquito and Tick-Borne Diseases in Central America

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