1
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Fellin E, Varin M, Millien V. Outdoor worker knowledge of ticks and Lyme disease in Québec. Zoonoses Public Health 2024. [PMID: 38967431 DOI: 10.1111/zph.13167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Lyme disease is a well-known occupational risk across North America caused by exposure to Borrelia burgdorferi via blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis). As the geographic range of B. burgdorferi advances with the increasing distribution of blacklegged ticks, more outdoor workers are at risk of contracting Lyme disease. In this study, we examined the demography and personal perceptions of outdoor workers within one framework to better determine the overall risk for those working outdoors. METHODS AND RESULTS We analysed outdoor worker knowledge of ticks and of behaviours that can prevent tick bites and Lyme disease. We then compared these risk perceptions of individuals across age, sex, education, and industry, as well as time spent outdoors. We tested the hypothesis that the risk perception of an individual and their knowledge of Lyme disease transmission was dependent on their demographics, experience in their job, and the region in which they spend time outdoors. We estimated a knowledge-based risk score based on individuals' answers to a questionnaire on risk perception given to voluntary participants who work outdoors. Those who had higher risk scores were more at risk. We found that knowledge-based risk scores were correlated with geographic risk levels and with the number of hours per day spent outdoors. Those who work longer hours and who work in areas with mid-level risk had higher risk scores. Those who spend more time outdoors recreationally had lower risk scores. CONCLUSIONS Further examination and acknowledgment of the reasoning behind why these factors are affecting workers' risks must be considered to recognize that it is not necessarily demographics or geographically high-risk areas that affect an individual's risk. Workers' knowledge of these risks is affected by several variables that should be taken into consideration when implementing safety measures and awareness programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica Fellin
- Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada
| | - Mathieu Varin
- Centre d'enseignement et de Recherche en Foresterie (CERFO), Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Virginie Millien
- Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada
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2
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Kulisz J, Hoeks S, Kunc-Kozioł R, Woźniak A, Zając Z, Schipper AM, Cabezas-Cruz A, Huijbregts MAJ. Spatiotemporal trends and covariates of Lyme borreliosis incidence in Poland, 2010-2019. Sci Rep 2024; 14:10768. [PMID: 38730239 PMCID: PMC11087522 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61349-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Lyme borreliosis (LB) is the most commonly diagnosed tick-borne disease in the northern hemisphere. Since an efficient vaccine is not yet available, prevention of transmission is essential. This, in turn, requires a thorough comprehension of the spatiotemporal dynamics of LB transmission as well as underlying drivers. This study aims to identify spatiotemporal trends and unravel environmental and socio-economic covariates of LB incidence in Poland, using consistent monitoring data from 2010 through 2019 obtained for 320 (aggregated) districts. Using yearly LB incidence values, we identified an overall increase in LB incidence from 2010 to 2019. Additionally, we observed a large variation of LB incidences between the Polish districts, with the highest risks of LB in the eastern districts. We applied spatiotemporal Bayesian models in an all-subsets modeling framework to evaluate potential associations between LB incidence and various potentially relevant environmental and socio-economic variables, including climatic conditions as well as characteristics of the vegetation and the density of tick host species. The best-supported spatiotemporal model identified positive relationships between LB incidence and forest cover, the share of parks and green areas, minimum monthly temperature, mean monthly precipitation, and gross primary productivity. A negative relationship was found with human population density. The findings of our study indicate that LB incidence in Poland might increase as a result of ongoing climate change, notably increases in minimum monthly temperature. Our results may aid in the development of targeted prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Kulisz
- Chair and Department of Biology and Parasitology, Medical University of Lublin, Radziwiłłowska St. 11, 20-080, Lublin, Poland.
| | - Selwyn Hoeks
- Department of Environmental Science, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, P.O. Box 9010, 6500, Nijmegen, GL, The Netherlands
| | - Renata Kunc-Kozioł
- Chair and Department of Biology and Parasitology, Medical University of Lublin, Radziwiłłowska St. 11, 20-080, Lublin, Poland
| | - Aneta Woźniak
- Chair and Department of Biology and Parasitology, Medical University of Lublin, Radziwiłłowska St. 11, 20-080, Lublin, Poland
| | - Zbigniew Zając
- Chair and Department of Biology and Parasitology, Medical University of Lublin, Radziwiłłowska St. 11, 20-080, Lublin, Poland
| | - Aafke M Schipper
- Department of Environmental Science, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, P.O. Box 9010, 6500, Nijmegen, GL, The Netherlands
| | - Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
- Anses, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Mark A J Huijbregts
- Department of Environmental Science, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, P.O. Box 9010, 6500, Nijmegen, GL, The Netherlands
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3
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Kim YS, Kim J, Choi YJ, Kang T, Park HJ, Jang WJ. Molecular Typing on Human Blood Reveals the Borrelia afzelii Infection in Korea. Infect Chemother 2023; 55:500-504. [PMID: 38183394 PMCID: PMC10771942 DOI: 10.3947/ic.2023.0094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Lyme disease is a tick-borne infection in Korea. Here, clinical samples were collected from a 72-year old patient, with sudden onset of fever on April, 2018. The patient was passed away after 3rd day of doxycycline administration. The molecular diagnostic tests, nested polymerase chain reaction targeting 5S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer region (IGS) and multilocus sequence typing (MLST), showed positive for Borrelia afzelii from blood. Further, mutations in both 5S - 23S IGS and pepX allele of MLST were determined. Herein, we report the expected first death case by B. afzelii infection in Korea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeon-Sook Kim
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Jeoungyeon Kim
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yeon-Joo Choi
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Taeuk Kang
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hye-Jin Park
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Won-Jong Jang
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea.
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4
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Mohseni N, Chang M, Garcia K, Weakley M, Do T, Mir S. Development of a Syndromic Molecular Diagnostic Assay for Tick-Borne Pathogens Using Barcoded Magnetic Bead Technology. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0439522. [PMID: 37166314 PMCID: PMC10269837 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.04395-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Infectious disease diagnostics often depend on costly serological testing with poor sensitivity, low specificity, and long turnaround time. Here, we demonstrate proof of the principle for simultaneous detection of two tick-borne pathogens from a single test sample using barcoded magnetic bead technology on the BioCode 2500 system. Specific primer sets complementary to the conserved genes of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Borrelia burgdorferi were used in PCR amplification of the target, followed by the hybridization of the resulting biotinylated PCR products with specific probes tethered to the barcoded magnetic beads for simultaneous detection, using a fluorophore with high quantum yield. The assay has an extremely high signal to background ratio, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 2.81 50% tissue culture infection dose (TCID50)/mL and 1 CFU/mL for A. phagocytophilum and B. burgdorferi, respectively. The observed LOD for gene blocks was 1.8 copies/reaction for both the pathogens. The assay demonstrated 100% positive and negative agreement on performance evaluation using patient specimens and blood samples spiked with 1 × LOD of pathogen stock. No cross-reactivity was observed with other related tick-borne pathogens and genomic DNA of human, cattle, and canine origin. The assay can be upgraded to a sensitive and cost-effective multiplex diagnostic approach that can simultaneously detect multiple clinically important tick-borne pathogens in a single sample with a short turnaround time. IMPORTANCE The low pathogen load in the tick-borne disease test samples and the lack of highly sensitive multiplex diagnostic approaches have impacted diagnosis during clinical testing and limited surveillance studies to gauge prior insight about the prevalence of tick-borne infections in a geographical area. This article demonstrates proof of the principle for simultaneous detection of two important tick-borne pathogens from a single test sample using digital barcoded magnetic bead technology. Using a fluorophore of high quantum yield, the diagnostic approach showed high sensitivity and specificity. The LOD was 1.8 genome copies per reaction for both A. phagocytophilum and B. burgdorferi. The assay can be upgraded for the detection of all clinically important tick-borne pathogens from a single patient sample with high sensitivity and specificity. The assay can provide a diagnostic answer to the clinician in a short turnaround time to facilitate speedy therapeutic intervention to infected patients and implement public health measures to prevent community spread.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazleeen Mohseni
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, California, USA
| | - Mariann Chang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, California, USA
| | - Kathryn Garcia
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, California, USA
| | - Mina Weakley
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, California, USA
| | - Tram Do
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, California, USA
| | - Sheema Mir
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, California, USA
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5
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Köhler CF, Holding ML, Sprong H, Jansen PA, Esser HJ. Biodiversity in the Lyme-light: ecological restoration and tick-borne diseases in Europe. Trends Parasitol 2023; 39:373-385. [PMID: 36890021 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2023.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
Biodiversity loss and the emergence of zoonotic diseases are two major global challenges. An urgent question is how ecosystems and wildlife communities can be restored whilst minimizing the risk of zoonotic diseases carried by wildlife. Here, we evaluate how current ambitions to restore Europe's natural ecosystems may affect the hazard of diseases vectored by the tick Ixodes ricinus at different scales. We find that effects of restoration efforts on tick abundance are relatively straightforward but that the interacting effects of vertebrate diversity and abundance on pathogen transmission are insufficiently known. Long-term integrated surveillance of wildlife communities, ticks, and their pathogens is needed to understand their interactions and to prevent nature restoration from increasing tick-borne disease (TBD) hazard.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Florentine Köhler
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
| | - Maya Louise Holding
- Virology and Pathogenesis Group, UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, UK; National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, Liverpool, UK
| | - Hein Sprong
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Patrick A Jansen
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Group, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Helen J Esser
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Group, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
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6
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McBride SE, Lieberthal BA, Buttke DE, Cronk BD, De Urioste-Stone SM, Goodman LB, Guarnieri LD, Rounsville TF, Gardner AM. Patterns and Ecological Mechanisms of Tick-Borne Disease Exposure Risk in Acadia National Park, Mount Desert Island, Maine, United States. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2023; 60:62-72. [PMID: 36271802 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjac152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
National parks are unique and significant vector-borne pathogen transmission settings, engaging over 300 million people in outdoor recreation per year. In this study, we integrated vector surveys and ecological habitat feature data in spatial models to characterize tick-borne disease exposure risk in Acadia National Park (ANP), Maine. To determine the broad-scale patterns of blacklegged tick Ixodes scapularis Say (Acari: Ixodidae) densities in ANP, we conducted host-seeking tick collections at 114 sites across the park over two years. Using these tick survey data and geospatial landscape feature data (i.e., land cover, elevation, forest patch size, and aspect) we developed a random forest model of nymphal tick density. We found that host-seeking tick density varies significantly across the park and is particularly high in areas characterized by deciduous forest cover and relatively low elevation. To explore potential fine-scale ecological drivers of tick density spatial patterns, we quantified microclimate conditions, host activity, and vegetation characteristics at a subset of 19 sites. We identified significant differences in microclimate conditions but not host activity or vegetation metrics across broad-scale landscape feature classes. Mean temperature and mean humidity were correlated to nymphal densities and therefore may provide a mechanistic link between landscape features and blacklegged tick densities. Finally, we detected multiple tick-borne pathogens in both ticks and small mammals sampled in ANP, including Borrelia burgdorferi, Babesia microti, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Our findings demonstrate the value of using ecological metrics to estimate vector-borne disease exposure risk and provide insight into habitat characteristics that may drive tick-borne disease exposure risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara E McBride
- School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, 5722 Deering Hall, Orono, ME 04469, USA
| | - Brandon A Lieberthal
- School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, 5722 Deering Hall, Orono, ME 04469, USA
| | - Danielle E Buttke
- National Park Service, 1201 Oakridge Drive, Fort Collins, CO 80525, USA
| | - Brittany D Cronk
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | | | - Laura B Goodman
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Lucy D Guarnieri
- School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, 5722 Deering Hall, Orono, ME 04469, USA
| | - Thomas F Rounsville
- Pest Management Unit, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Diagnostic and Research Laboratory, 17 Godfrey Drive, Orono, ME 04473, USA
| | - Allison M Gardner
- School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, 5722 Deering Hall, Orono, ME 04469, USA
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7
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The Correlation between Subolesin-Reactive Epitopes and Vaccine Efficacy. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10081327. [PMID: 36016215 PMCID: PMC9414912 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10081327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccination is an environmentally-friendly alternative for tick control. The tick antigen Subolesin (SUB) has shown protection in vaccines for the control of multiple tick species in cattle. Additionally, recent approaches in quantum vaccinomics have predicted SUB-protective epitopes and the peptide sequences involved in protein−protein interactions in this tick antigen. Therefore, the identification of B-cell−reactive epitopes by epitope mapping using a SUB peptide array could be essential as a novel strategy for vaccine development. Subolesin can be used as a model to evaluate the effectiveness of these approaches for the identification of protective epitopes related to vaccine protection and efficacy. In this study, the mapping of B-cell linear epitopes of SUB from three different tick species common in Uganda (Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, R. decoloratus, and Amblyomma variegatum) was conducted using serum samples from two cattle breeds immunized with SUB-based vaccines. The results showed that in cattle immunized with SUB from R. appendiculatus (SUBra) all the reactive peptides (Z-score > 2) recognized by IgG were also significant (Z-ratio > 1.96) when compared to the control group. Additionally, some of the reactive peptides recognized by IgG from the control group were also recognized in SUB cocktail−immunized groups. As a significant result, cattle groups that showed the highest vaccine efficacy were Bos indicus immunized with a SUB cocktail (92%), and crossbred cattle were immunized with SUBra (90%) against R. appendiculatus ticks; the IgG from these groups recognized overlapping epitopes from the peptide SPTGLSPGLSPVRDQPLFTFRQVGLICERMMKERESQIRDEYDHVLSAKLAEQYDTFVKFTYDQKRFEGATPSYLS (Z-ratio > 1.96), which partially corresponded to a Q38 peptide and the SUB protein interaction domain. These identified epitopes could be related to the protection and efficacy of the SUB-based vaccines, and new chimeras containing these protective epitopes could be designed using this new approach.
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8
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Park E, Kim WH, Kim SB. How does COVID-19 differ from previous crises? A comparative study of health-related crisis research in the tourism and hospitality context. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT 2022; 103:103199. [PMID: 36540129 PMCID: PMC9756355 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhm.2022.103199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 12/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The importance of the risk to tourism and hospitality operations from pandemic-related crises has increased. Therefore, the current study offers a literature review targeting tourism and hospitality stakeholders' perceptions of past diseases and has three objectives: (1) Explore major topics from previous research on infectious diseases using topic modeling; (2) compare non-COVID-19 and COVID-19 crises; (3) investigate research topics in the tourism and hospitality industries. To meet our research objectives, we reviewed published pandemic-related articles in the tourism and hospitality literature since the year 2000. Based on the results, we first identified nine key topics related to infectious diseases (i.e., policy, human resources, branding, resilience, technology, global or community change, risk perception, disease impact, and lifestyle). Second, we suggest the application of different topic weights in non-COVID-19 and COVID-19 research. Third, we found that it is appropriate to apply different topic weights in tourism and hospitality research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunhye Park
- Department of Food Nutrition, Gachon University, Seongnam-si, South Korea
| | - Woo-Hyuk Kim
- IoT and Big Data Research Center, Department of Consumer Science, Incheon National University, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Sung-Bum Kim
- Department of Business Administration, Inha University, Incheon, South Korea
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9
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Ozdenerol E, Bingham-Byrne RM, Seboly JD. The Effects of Lifestyle on the Risk of Lyme Disease in the United States: Evaluation of Market Segmentation Systems in Prevention and Control Strategies. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:12883. [PMID: 34948494 PMCID: PMC8702151 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182412883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate lifestyles at risk of Lyme disease, and to geographically identify target populations/households at risk based on their lifestyle preferences. When coupled with geographically identified patient health information (e.g., incidence, diagnostics), lifestyle data provide a more solid base of information for directing public health objectives in minimizing the risk of Lyme disease and targeting populations with Lyme-disease-associated lifestyles. We used an ESRI Tapestry segmentation system that classifies U.S. neighborhoods into 67 unique segments based on their demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. These 67 segments are grouped within 14 larger "LifeModes" that have commonalities based on lifestyle and life stage. Our dataset contains variables denoting the dominant Tapestry segments within each U.S. county, along with annual Lyme disease incidence rates from 2000 through 2017, and the average incidence over these 18 years. K-means clustering was used to cluster counties based on yearly incidence rates for the years 2000-2017. We used analysis of variance (ANOVA) statistical testing to determine the association between Lyme disease incidence and LifeModes. We further determined that the LifeModes Affluent Estates, Upscale Avenues, GenXurban, and Cozy Country Living were associated with higher Lyme disease risk based on the results of analysis of means (ANOM) and Tukey's post hoc test, indicating that one of these LifeModes is the LifeMode with the greatest Lyme disease incidence rate. We further conducted trait analysis of the high-risk LifeModes to see which traits were related to higher Lyme disease incidence. Due to the extreme regional nature of Lyme disease incidence, we carried out our national-level analysis at the regional level. Significant differences were detected in incidence rates and LifeModes in individual regions. We mapped Lyme disease incidence with associated LifeModes in the Northeast, Southeast, Midcontinent, Rocky Mountain, and Southwest regions to reflect the location-dependent nature of the relationship between lifestyle and Lyme disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esra Ozdenerol
- Spatial Analysis and Geographic Education Laboratory, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, USA;
| | - Rebecca Michelle Bingham-Byrne
- Spatial Analysis and Geographic Education Laboratory, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, USA;
| | - Jacob Daniel Seboly
- Department of Geosciences, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39762, USA;
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The Lyme Borreliosis Spatial Footprint in the 21st Century: A Key Study of Slovenia. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182212061. [PMID: 34831819 PMCID: PMC8619322 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182212061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
After mosquitoes, ticks are the most important vectors of infectious diseases. They play an important role in public health. In recent decades, we discovered new tick-borne diseases; additionally, those that are already known are spreading to new areas because of climate change. Slovenia is an endemic region for Lyme borreliosis and one of the countries with the highest incidence of this disease on a global scale. Thus, the spatial pattern of Slovenian Lyme borreliosis prevalence was modelled with 246 indicators and transformed into 24 uncorrelated predictor variables that were applied in geographically weighted regression and regression tree algorithms. The projected potential shifts in Lyme borreliosis foci by 2050 and 2070 were calculated according to the RCP8.5 climate scenario. These results were further applied to developing a Slovenian Lyme borreliosis infection risk map, which could be used as a preventive decision support system.
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11
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A Review of Research on Tourism Industry, Economic Crisis and Mitigation Process of the Loss: Analysis on Pre, During and Post Pandemic Situation. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su131810314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Throughout time, the global tourism industry and economy have been significantly affected by disasters and crises. At present, COVID-19 represents one of these disasters as it has been causing a serious economic downturn with huge implications in tourism. In this review paper, we have analysed more than 100 papers regarding the effect and consequences of a pandemic on tourism and related industries, the economic situation in countries and areas, and mitigation of the loss incurred due to pandemic situations. The article (1) is based on past research on tourism and economy, (2) examines the effects of a pandemic on listed sectors and mitigation processes, and (3) suggests future research and approaches to help progress the field. We have gathered and categorised the literature reviews into several parts. In addition, we have listed the name of authors, journal names, books, websites, and relevant data.
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12
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Wut TM, Xu JB, Wong SM. Crisis management research (1985-2020) in the hospitality and tourism industry: A review and research agenda. TOURISM MANAGEMENT 2021; 85:104307. [PMID: 36345489 PMCID: PMC9630659 DOI: 10.1016/j.tourman.2021.104307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The global tourism industry has already suffered an enormous loss due to COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) in 2020. Crisis management, including disaster management and risk management, has been becoming a hot topic for organisations in the hospitality and tourism industry. This study aims to investigate relevant research domains in the hospitality and tourism industry context. To understand how crisis management practices have been adopted in the industry, the authors reviewed 512 articles including 79 papers on COVID-19, spanning 36 years, between 1985 and 2020. The findings showed that the research focus of crisis management, crisis impact and recovery, as well as risk management, risk perception and disaster management dominated mainstream crisis management research. Look back the past decade (2010 to present), health-related crisis (including COVID-19), social media, political disturbances and terrorism themes are the biggest trends. This paper proposed a new conceptual framework for future research agenda of crisis management in the hospitality and tourism industry. Besides, ten possible further research areas were also suggested in a TCM (theory-context-method) model: the theories of crisis prevention and preparedness, risk communication, crisis management education and training, risk assessment, and crisis events in the contexts of COVID-19, data privacy in hospitality and tourism, political-related crisis events, digital media, and alternative analytical methods and approaches. In addition, specific research questions in these future research areas were also presented in this paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tai Ming Wut
- School of Professional Education and Executive Development, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, HKSAR, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jing Bill Xu
- School of Professional Education and Executive Development, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, HKSAR, Hong Kong, China
| | - Shun-Mun Wong
- School of Professional Education and Executive Development, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, HKSAR, Hong Kong, China
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13
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Zhang K, Hou Y, Li G. Threat of infectious disease during an outbreak: Influence on tourists' emotional responses to disadvantaged price inequality. ANNALS OF TOURISM RESEARCH 2020; 84:102993. [PMID: 32834227 PMCID: PMC7365089 DOI: 10.1016/j.annals.2020.102993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has negatively influenced the global tourism industry. Despite the documented negative impacts of diseases on tourism demand and people's perceived health risk, researchers have seldom examined the psychological responses of tourists travelling during an infectious disease outbreak. We therefore conducted three studies to examine this key aspect, and our findings indicate that tourists have a strong negative emotional reaction towards disadvantaged tourism-related prices in response to a high (vs low) infectious disease threat. Furthermore, risk aversion acts as an underlying mechanism driving this effect: tourists are more risk aversive under the threat of an infectious disease, which consequently magnifies their negative emotional reaction. At last, theoretical and practical implications of these findings for tourism are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Zhang
- SILC Business School, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuansi Hou
- School of Business and Management, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK
| | - Gang Li
- School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7XH, UK
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Chan EYY, Sham TST, Shahzada TS, Dubois C, Huang Z, Liu S, Hung KK, Tse SL, Kwok KO, Chung PH, Kayano R, Shaw R. Narrative Review on Health-EDRM Primary Prevention Measures for Vector-Borne Diseases. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:E5981. [PMID: 32824754 PMCID: PMC7459832 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17165981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Climate change is expanding the global at-risk population for vector-borne diseases (VBDs). The World Health Organization (WHO) health emergency and disaster risk management (health-EDRM) framework emphasises the importance of primary prevention of biological hazards and its value in protecting against VBDs. The framework encourages stakeholder coordination and information sharing, though there is still a need to reinforce prevention and recovery within disaster management. This keyword-search based narrative literature review searched databases PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase and Medline between January 2000 and May 2020, and identified 134 publications. In total, 10 health-EDRM primary prevention measures are summarised at three levels (personal, environmental and household). Enabling factor, limiting factors, co-benefits and strength of evidence were identified. Current studies on primary prevention measures for VBDs focus on health risk-reduction, with minimal evaluation of actual disease reduction. Although prevention against mosquito-borne diseases, notably malaria, has been well-studied, research on other vectors and VBDs remains limited. Other gaps included the limited evidence pertaining to prevention in resource-poor settings and the efficacy of alternatives, discrepancies amongst agencies' recommendations, and limited studies on the impact of technological advancements and habitat change on VBD prevalence. Health-EDRM primary prevention measures for VBDs require high-priority research to facilitate multifaceted, multi-sectoral, coordinated responses that will enable effective risk mitigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Ying Yang Chan
- Collaborating Centre for Oxford University and CUHK for Disaster and Medical Humanitarian Response (CCOUC), The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; (Z.H.); (S.L.); (K.K.C.H.)
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX37BN, UK
- JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; (T.S.T.S.); (T.S.S.); (S.L.A.T.); (K.O.K.); (P.-H.C.)
- GX Foundation, Hong Kong SAR, China;
- Accident & Emergency Medicine Academic Unit, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Tiffany Sze Tung Sham
- JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; (T.S.T.S.); (T.S.S.); (S.L.A.T.); (K.O.K.); (P.-H.C.)
- GX Foundation, Hong Kong SAR, China;
| | - Tayyab Salim Shahzada
- JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; (T.S.T.S.); (T.S.S.); (S.L.A.T.); (K.O.K.); (P.-H.C.)
- GX Foundation, Hong Kong SAR, China;
| | | | - Zhe Huang
- Collaborating Centre for Oxford University and CUHK for Disaster and Medical Humanitarian Response (CCOUC), The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; (Z.H.); (S.L.); (K.K.C.H.)
- JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; (T.S.T.S.); (T.S.S.); (S.L.A.T.); (K.O.K.); (P.-H.C.)
| | - Sida Liu
- Collaborating Centre for Oxford University and CUHK for Disaster and Medical Humanitarian Response (CCOUC), The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; (Z.H.); (S.L.); (K.K.C.H.)
- GX Foundation, Hong Kong SAR, China;
| | - Kevin K.C. Hung
- Collaborating Centre for Oxford University and CUHK for Disaster and Medical Humanitarian Response (CCOUC), The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; (Z.H.); (S.L.); (K.K.C.H.)
- JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; (T.S.T.S.); (T.S.S.); (S.L.A.T.); (K.O.K.); (P.-H.C.)
- Accident & Emergency Medicine Academic Unit, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Shelly L.A. Tse
- JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; (T.S.T.S.); (T.S.S.); (S.L.A.T.); (K.O.K.); (P.-H.C.)
| | - Kin On Kwok
- JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; (T.S.T.S.); (T.S.S.); (S.L.A.T.); (K.O.K.); (P.-H.C.)
| | - Pui-Hong Chung
- JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; (T.S.T.S.); (T.S.S.); (S.L.A.T.); (K.O.K.); (P.-H.C.)
| | - Ryoma Kayano
- World Health Organization Centre for Health Development, Kobe 651-0073, Japan;
| | - Rajib Shaw
- Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University, Fujisawa 252-0882, Japan;
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Abstract
Ticks are the most important vectors of human pathogens, leading to increased public health burdens worldwide. Tick-borne pathogens include viruses (e.g. tick-borne encephalitis and Powassan); bacteria, such as the causative agents of Lyme disease, spotted fever rickettsiosis and human anaplasmosis; and malaria-like protozoan parasites causing babesiosis. Tick-borne diseases are emerging due to the geographical expansion of their tick vectors, especially in the northern hemisphere. Two examples of this phenomenon are Ixodes scapularis and Amblyomma americanum, which have expanded their ranges in the USA in recent decades and are responsible for the continuous emergence of Lyme disease and human ehrlichiosis, respectively. This phenomenon is also occurring worldwide and is reflected by the increasing number of tick-borne encephalitis and haemorrhagic fever cases in Europe and Asia. In this review, we provide a concise synopsis of the most medically important tick-borne pathogen worldwide, with a particular emphasis on emerging public health threats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilia Rochlin
- Center for Vector Biology, Rutgers University, 180 Jones Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Alvaro Toledo
- Department of Entomology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
- Center for Vector Biology, Rutgers University, 180 Jones Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
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16
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von Fricken ME, Rolomjav L, Illar M, Altantogtokh D, Hogan KM, Uyanga B, Ganbold D, Tsogbadrakh N. Geographic Range of Lyme Borreliosis in Mongolia. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2019; 19:658-661. [PMID: 30835648 PMCID: PMC7001459 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2018.2421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: In Asia, Borrelia garinii, B. afzelii, and B. bavariensis are transmitted by Ixodes persulcatus ticks and clinically present with a wide range of neurological and arthritic symptoms. This report aims to provide details on the geographic distribution of suspected cases of Lyme borreliosis (LB), reported to local Mongolian hospitals between 2007 and 2017. Methods: This report examines 150 reported cases of suspected LB from 13 aimags (provinces) in Mongolia from April 2007 to August 2017, including date and location of infection, method of diagnosis (indirect immunofluorescent assay and/or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test), frequency of specific symptoms, and case demographics. Information was gathered through collaboration with the National Center of Communicable Disease and the National Center for Zoonotic Diseases. Results: Zavkhan and Selenge, located in northern Mongolia, had the highest percentage of reported suspected cases, with 25% and 20%, respectively. Ages ranged from 1 to 78 years, with a mean age of 26 years, however, 37% of individuals were younger than 10. More than twice as many women sought treatment as men, and the distribution of men who sought treatment was skewed toward children and the elderly. Most frequently reported symptoms include fever, rash, headache, and enlarged lymph glands. Furthermore, peak months of tick bite and treatment seeking occurred between April and June. Conclusions: Based on these preliminary findings, syndromic surveillance should be expanded across northern Mongolia, with LB considered in differential diagnosis for patients reporting a recent tick bite.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Madeline Illar
- Department of Global and Community Health, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia
| | | | - Kathryn M. Hogan
- Department of Global and Community Health, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia
| | - Baasandagva Uyanga
- National Center for Zoonotic Diseases, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
- Division of Infectious Disease, Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
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17
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Lkhagvatseren S, Hogan KM, Boldbaatar B, von Fricken ME, Anderson BD, Pulscher LA, Caddell L, Nymadawa P, Gray GC. Discrepancies between self-reported tick bites and evidence of tick-borne disease exposure among nomadic Mongolian herders. Zoonoses Public Health 2019; 66:480-486. [PMID: 30969028 PMCID: PMC6629472 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Revised: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Twenty-six per cent of Mongolians live pastoral lifestyles, increasing their likelihood of exposure to ticks and placing them at a higher risk for contracting tick-borne diseases (TBDs). Anaplasma spp. and Rickettsia spp. have been identified in ticks, livestock and humans in Mongolia, but no known qualitative research has been conducted investigating the association between nomadic herder characteristics, tick bite history and exposure to TBDs. To better understand the association between self-reported tick bites and symptoms versus actual exposure to TBDs, this study paired serological data with 335 surveys administered to Mongolian herders, ages 12-69, from 2014 to 2015. Logistic regression results identified no significant associations between reported tick bites or symptoms with serological evidence of Anaplasma spp. and Rickettsia spp. controlling for age, gender and aimag. Among the 335 respondents who were seropositive to either Anaplasma spp. or Rickettsia spp., 32.9% self-reported experiencing abnormal symptoms such as redness, inflammation, headache, arthritis or fever after being bitten. Alternatively, 17.3% (58/335) of individuals reported experiencing symptoms following a tick bite in instances where serological results indicated no exposure to Anaplasma spp. or Rickettsia spp. Results also identified inconsistencies in reporting and seroprevalence among different age groups, with children having the highest reporting and treatment seeking rates but low levels of exposure in comparison with other groups. While survey results showed that individuals were aware of peak tick seasons and tick species that inhabit specific areas, 58% of heads of households (49/84) were unaware that ticks can cause disease in livestock or dogs. This study suggests that herders are an at-risk population in Mongolia with gaps in awareness of TBD risk. Increased surveillance paired with focused outreach to prevent TBDs targeted to the herder population is encouraged.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kathryn M. Hogan
- Department of Global and Community Health, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
| | | | - Michael E. von Fricken
- Department of Global and Community Health, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
- Division of Infectious Disease, Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Benjamin D. Anderson
- Division of Infectious Disease, Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Laura A. Pulscher
- Division of Infectious Disease, Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Luke Caddell
- Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | | | - Gregory C. Gray
- Division of Infectious Disease, Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
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18
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Antoine-Moussiaux N, Janssens de Bisthoven L, Leyens S, Assmuth T, Keune H, Jakob Z, Hugé J, Vanhove MPM. The good, the bad and the ugly: framing debates on nature in a One Health community. SUSTAINABILITY SCIENCE 2019; 14:1729-1738. [PMID: 32215109 PMCID: PMC7088772 DOI: 10.1007/s11625-019-00674-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Originating in medical and veterinary spheres, the One Health concept stands as an open call for collaboration also between these disciplines or professions and those of environmental and social science. However, the communities of practice in question show uneasy or under-developed collaborations, due to a variety of factors. We argue that an important factor is the way issues are raised and questions are formulated, i.e., their framing. Based on complementary perspectives on health and knowledge, this overview provides an inter- and trans-disciplinary analysis of the role of the framing of « nature » in One Health discourses as a barrier or a facilitator to collaboration, as revealed by the scientific literature. We find that the lack of reflection by scientists about the framing under which they operate appears as a major factor of misunderstanding between disciplines, and a barrier for inter- and trans-disciplinary solutions to improve management of health risks and benefits. Hence, to build such solutions, framing will have to be a conscious and repeated step in the process, acknowledging and explaining the diversity of viewpoints and values. The interdisciplinary dialogues inherent in this process promote translation between scientific domains, policy-makers and citizens, with a critical but pluralistic recourse to various framings of health risks and benefits associated with nature, and a deep awareness of their practical and ethical consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Antoine-Moussiaux
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège (ULiège), 6 avenue de Cureghem, 4000 Liège, Belgium
- Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals and Health (FARAH), University of Liège (ULiège), Liège, Belgium
| | - Luc Janssens de Bisthoven
- Capacities for Biodiversity and Sustainable Development (CEBioS), Operational Directorate Natural Environment, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Stéphane Leyens
- Departement Sciences-Philosophies-Societies, Faculty of Sciences, University of Namur, Namur, Belgium
| | - Timo Assmuth
- Finnish Environment Institute, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hans Keune
- Belgian Biodiversity Platform-Research Institute Nature and Forest (INBO), Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Primary and Interdisciplinary Care Antwerp-Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Zinsstag Jakob
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, PO Box, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jean Hugé
- Systems Ecology and Resource Management Lab, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium
- Plant Biology and Nature Management, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
- Research Group Environmental Biology, Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Maarten P. M. Vanhove
- Capacities for Biodiversity and Sustainable Development (CEBioS), Operational Directorate Natural Environment, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
- Laboratory of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Genomics, Department of Biology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Research Group Zoology: Biodiversity and Toxicology, Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
- Zoology Unit, Finnish Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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19
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Sakamoto JM. Progress, challenges, and the role of public engagement to improve tick-borne disease literacy. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2018; 28:81-89. [PMID: 30551772 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2018.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2018] [Revised: 05/20/2018] [Accepted: 05/21/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Vector-borne diseases have increased worldwide, facilitated by globalization and variations in climate. Tick and tick-borne disease researchers, veterinarians, medical practitioners, and public health specialists are working to share their expertise on tick ecology, disease transmission, diagnostics, and treatment in order to control tick-borne epidemics and potential pandemics. This review will be a brief overview of the current status of tick-borne diseases, challenges on the scientific and public fronts, and the role of public engagement in improving citizen education within the context of ticks and tick-borne disease research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joyce M Sakamoto
- Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802 United States; Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802 United States.
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20
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Gofton AW, Doggett S, Ratchford A, Oskam CL, Paparini A, Ryan U, Irwin P. Bacterial Profiling Reveals Novel "Ca. Neoehrlichia", Ehrlichia, and Anaplasma Species in Australian Human-Biting Ticks. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0145449. [PMID: 26709826 PMCID: PMC4692421 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0145449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2015] [Accepted: 12/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In Australia, a conclusive aetiology of Lyme disease-like illness in human patients remains elusive, despite growing numbers of people presenting with symptoms attributed to tick bites. In the present study, we surveyed the microbial communities harboured by human-biting ticks from across Australia to identify bacteria that may contribute to this syndrome. Universal PCR primers were used to amplify the V1-2 hyper-variable region of bacterial 16S rRNA genes in DNA samples from individual Ixodes holocyclus (n = 279), Amblyomma triguttatum (n = 167), Haemaphysalis bancrofti (n = 7), and H. longicornis (n = 7) ticks. The 16S amplicons were sequenced on the Illumina MiSeq platform and analysed in USEARCH, QIIME, and BLAST to assign genus and species-level taxonomies. Nested PCR and Sanger sequencing were used to confirm the NGS data and further analyse novel findings. All 460 ticks were negative for Borrelia spp. by both NGS and nested PCR analysis. Two novel "Candidatus Neoehrlichia" spp. were identified in 12.9% of I. holocyclus ticks. A novel Anaplasma sp. was identified in 1.8% of A. triguttatum ticks, and a novel Ehrlichia sp. was identified in both A. triguttatum (1.2%) ticks and a single I. holocyclus (0.6%) tick. Further phylogenetic analysis of novel "Ca. Neoehrlichia", Anaplasma and Ehrlichia based on 1,265 bp 16S rRNA gene sequences suggests that these are new species. Determining whether these newly discovered organisms cause disease in humans and animals, like closely related bacteria do abroad, is of public health importance and requires further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander W. Gofton
- Vector and Water-borne Pathogen Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Stephen Doggett
- Department of Medical Entomology, Pathology West and Institute for Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Andrew Ratchford
- Emergency Department, Mona Vale Hospital, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Charlotte L. Oskam
- Vector and Water-borne Pathogen Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Andrea Paparini
- Vector and Water-borne Pathogen Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Una Ryan
- Vector and Water-borne Pathogen Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Peter Irwin
- Vector and Water-borne Pathogen Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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21
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Ozdenerol E. GIS and Remote Sensing Use in the Exploration of Lyme Disease Epidemiology. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2015; 12:15182-203. [PMID: 26633445 PMCID: PMC4690907 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph121214971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2015] [Revised: 09/09/2015] [Accepted: 10/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Given the relatively recent recognition of Lyme disease (LD) by CDC in 1990 as a nationally notifiable infectious condition, the rise of reported human cases every year argues for a better understanding of its geographic scope. The aim of this inquiry was to explore research conducted on spatiotemporal patterns of Lyme disease in order to identify strategies for implementing vector and reservoir-targeted interventions. The focus of this review is on the use of GIS-based methods to study populations of the reservoir hosts, vectors and humans in addition to the spatiotemporal interactions between these populations. New GIS-based studies are monitoring occurrence at the macro-level, and helping pinpoint areas of occurrence at the micro-level, where spread within populations of reservoir hosts, clusters of infected ticks and tick to human transmission may be better understood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esra Ozdenerol
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, USA.
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