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Chakraborty S, Kopsco H, Evans C, Mateus-Pinilla N, Smith R. Assessing knowledge gaps and empowering Extension workers in Illinois with information on ticks and tickborne diseases through KAP surveys. Heliyon 2024; 10:e25789. [PMID: 38352775 PMCID: PMC10862665 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e25789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Tickborne diseases (TBDs) are increasingly prevalent in Illinois and the Upper Midwest region. People who work in occupations that require time outdoors in agricultural or natural settings, such as some Extension workers, are at risk of tick bites and TBDs. Additionally, Extension workers are often a primary source of information about ticks and TBDs in rural communities. However, there is limited information on the level of awareness about ticks and TBDs in the Extension community. The goals of this study were to sequentially i) determine the baseline awareness of Extension workers in Illinois about ticks and TBDs using a knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) survey tool, ii) provide comprehensive training on ticks and TBDs to this demographic, and iii) measure the uptake of knowledge after the training intervention through a post-training survey. The study period was from June 2022 until May 2023. We received 233 pre-training and 93 paired post-training survey responses. Most survey respondents were Extension volunteers, identified as women, and were over 50 years old. Knowledge about ticks and TBDs varied. We identified several gaps in their current tick awareness, most importantly, in tick prevention measures, tick identification, and TBDs in general. TBD knowledge, attitude, and practice scores all significantly improved after training (p < 0.001), with a mean difference of 10.47, 1.49, and 2.64 points, respectively. Additionally, both Extension professionals (79.2 %) and Extension volunteers (66.7 %) were more likely to feel confident in engaging with their stakeholders on ticks and TBDs after participating in training. Poisson models revealed that higher attitude and practice scores and greater self-reported knowledge were the factors most significantly associated with higher TBD knowledge. We found that greater concern for ticks and TBD (attitudes) and adherence to science-based prevention and management methods (practices) were also associated with higher knowledge scores. To our knowledge, this is the first study in Illinois to capture Extension workers' awareness of ticks and TBDs. The results highlight Extension workers' interest in filling knowledge gaps through learning, and the importance of training Extension workers to disseminate reliable and updated information on ticks and TBDs to their constituents, a critical step in preventing TBDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Chakraborty
- Program in Ecology, Evolution & Conservation Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign, 505 S Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - H. Kopsco
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology, Columbia University, 10th floor Schermerhorn Ext., 1200 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY, 10027, USA
- Prairie Research Institute, Illinois Natural History Survey, University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign, 1816 S Oak, Champaign, IL, 61820, USA
| | - C. Evans
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign, 354 State Highway 145 N, Simpson, IL, 62985, USA
| | - N. Mateus-Pinilla
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign, 354 State Highway 145 N, Simpson, IL, 62985, USA
- Prairie Research Institute, Illinois Natural History Survey, University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign, 1816 S Oak, Champaign, IL, 61820, USA
| | - R.L. Smith
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign, 2001 S Lincoln Ave, Urbana, IL, 61802, USA
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Butler RA, Papeş M, Vogt JT, Paulsen DJ, Crowe C, Trout Fryxell RT. Human risk to tick encounters in the southeastern United States estimated with spatial distribution modeling. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0011919. [PMID: 38354196 PMCID: PMC10898775 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Expanding geographic distribution and increased populations of ticks has resulted in an upsurge of human-tick encounters in the United States (US), leading to an increase in tickborne disease reporting. Limited knowledge of the broadscale spatial range of tick species is heightened by a rapidly changing environment. Therefore, we partnered with the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program of the Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture and used passive tick surveillance to better understand spatiotemporal variables associated with foresters encountering three tick species (Amblyomma americanum L., Dermacentor variabilis Say, and Ixodes scapularis L.) in the southeastern US. Eight years (2014-2021) of tick encounter data were used to fit environmental niche and generalized linear models to predict where and when ticks are likely to be encountered. Our results indicate temporal and environmental partitioning of the three species. Ixodes scapularis were more likely to be encountered in the autumn and winter seasons and associated with soil organic matter, vegetation indices, evapotranspiration, temperature, and gross primary productivity. By contrast, A. americanum and D. variabilis were more likely to be encountered in spring and summer seasons and associated with elevation, landcover, temperature, dead belowground biomass, vapor pressure, and precipitation. Regions in the southeast least suitable for encountering ticks included the Blue Ridge, Mississippi Alluvial Plain, and the Southern Florida Coastal Plain, whereas suitable regions included the Interior Plateau, Central Appalachians, Ozark Highlands, Boston Mountains, and the Ouachita Mountains. Spatial and temporal patterns of different tick species can inform outdoorsmen and the public on tick avoidance measures, reduce tick populations by managing suitable tick habitats, and monitoring areas with unsuitable tick habitat for potential missed encounters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca A. Butler
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Mona Papeş
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - James T. Vogt
- United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Southern Research Station, Knoxville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Dave J. Paulsen
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Christopher Crowe
- United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Southern Research Station, Knoxville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Rebecca T. Trout Fryxell
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, United States of America
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Deshpande G, Beetch JE, Heller JG, Naqvi OH, Kuhn KG. Assessing the Influence of Climate Change and Environmental Factors on the Top Tick-Borne Diseases in the United States: A Systematic Review. Microorganisms 2023; 12:50. [PMID: 38257877 PMCID: PMC10821204 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12010050] [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: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
In the United States (US), tick-borne diseases (TBDs) have more than doubled in the past fifteen years and are a major contributor to the overall burden of vector-borne diseases. The most common TBDs in the US-Lyme disease, rickettsioses (including Rocky Mountain spotted fever), and anaplasmosis-have gradually shifted in recent years, resulting in increased morbidity and mortality. In this systematic review, we examined climate change and other environmental factors that have influenced the epidemiology of these TBDs in the US while highlighting the opportunities for a One Health approach to mitigating their impact. We searched Medline Plus, PUBMED, and Google Scholar for studies focused on these three TBDs in the US from January 2018 to August 2023. Data selection and extraction were completed using Covidence, and the risk of bias was assessed with the ROBINS-I tool. The review included 84 papers covering multiple states across the US. We found that climate, seasonality and temporality, and land use are important environmental factors that impact the epidemiology and patterns of TBDs. The emerging trends, influenced by environmental factors, emphasize the need for region-specific research to aid in the prediction and prevention of TBDs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Katrin Gaardbo Kuhn
- Department of Biostatistics & Epidemiology, Hudson College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (G.D.); (J.E.B.); (J.G.H.); (O.H.N.)
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Salomon J, Sambado SB, Crews A, Sidhu S, Seredian E, Almarinez A, Grgich R, Swei A. Macro-parasites and micro-parasites co-exist in rodent communities but are associated with different community-level parameters. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2023; 22:51-59. [PMID: 37680651 PMCID: PMC10481151 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2023.08.006] [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: 05/14/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Wildlife species are often heavily parasitized by multiple infections simultaneously. Yet research on sylvatic transmission cycles, tend to focus on host interactions with a single parasite and neglects the influence of co-infections by other pathogens and parasites. Co-infections between macro-parasites and micro-parasites can alter mechanisms that regulate pathogenesis and are important for understanding disease emergence and dynamics. Wildlife rodent hosts in the Lyme disease system are infected with macro-parasites (i.e., ticks and helminths) and micro-parasites (i.e., Borrelia spp.), however, there has not been a study that investigates the interaction of all three parasites (i.e., I. pacificus, Borrelia spp., and helminths) and how these co-infections impact prevalence of micro-parasites. We live-trapped rodents in ten sites in northern California to collect feces, blood, ear tissue, and attached ticks. These samples were used to test for infection status of Borrelia species (i.e., micro-parasite), and describe the burden of ticks and helminths (i.e., macro-parasites). We found that some rodent hosts were co-infected with all three parasites, however, the burden or presence of concurrent macro-parasites were not associated with Borrelia infections. For macro-parasites, we found that tick burdens were positively associated with rodent Shannon diversity while negatively associated with predator diversity, whereas helminth burdens were not significantly associated with any host community metric. Ticks and tick-borne pathogens are associated with rodent host diversity, predator diversity, and abiotic factors. However, it is still unknown what factors helminths are associated with on the community level. Understanding the mechanisms that influence co-infections of multiple types of parasites within and across hosts is an increasingly critical component of characterizing zoonotic disease transmission and maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan Salomon
- Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Program at Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Samantha B. Sambado
- Ecology, Evolution, & Marine Biology Department at University of California Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | - Arielle Crews
- San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control, Burlingame, CA, USA
| | - Sukhman Sidhu
- Biology Department at San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Eric Seredian
- Biology Department at San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Adrienne Almarinez
- Biology Department at San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Rachel Grgich
- Biology Department at San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Andrea Swei
- Biology Department at San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Kopsco HL, Gronemeyer P, Mateus-Pinilla N, Smith RL. Current and Future Habitat Suitability Models for Four Ticks of Medical Concern in Illinois, USA. INSECTS 2023; 14:213. [PMID: 36975898 PMCID: PMC10059838 DOI: 10.3390/insects14030213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
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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Affiliation(s)
- Heather L. Kopsco
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61802, USA
| | - Peg Gronemeyer
- Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61802, USA
| | - Nohra Mateus-Pinilla
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61802, USA
- Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61802, USA
| | - Rebecca L. Smith
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61802, USA
- Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61802, USA
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Hussain N, Shabbir RMK, Ahmed H, Afzal MS, Ullah S, Ali A, Irum S, Naqvi SKUH, Yin J, Cao J. Prevalence of different tick species on livestock and associated equines and canine from different agro-ecological zones of Pakistan. Front Vet Sci 2023; 9:1089999. [PMID: 36686198 PMCID: PMC9853404 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.1089999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Ticks are ectoparasites that act as vectors for transmission of various pathogens to wild and domesticated animals and pose a serious threat to human health. Because of the hot and humid conditions in different agro-ecological zones of Pakistan, ticks are abundant and parasitize a variety of animals. The aim of this study was to identify different tick species and distribution on different hosts especially livestock, such as sheep, goat, cattle, buffalo, and camel, and livestock associated canines and equines, such as horse, donkey, and dog, across different agro-ecological zones of Pakistan. The ticks samples were collected and morphologically identified at genus and species level using morphological keys under stereomicroscope. A total of 2,846 animals were examined for the tick infestation, and 408 animals were tick-infested. Eleven tick species belonging to 4 genera were identified: Hyalomma anatolicum, Hyalomma scupense, Hyalomma dromedarii, Hyalomma isaaci, Rhipicephalus microplus, Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides, Rhipicephalus turanicus, Haemaphysalis cornupunctata, Haemaphysalis montgomeryi, Haemaphysalis bispinosa, and Ixodes kashmiricus. The overall tick prevalence was 14.3%; host-wise infestation rate was 12.2% in sheep; 12.6%, goat; 11.7%, buffalo; 11.7%, cattle; 19.6%, camel; 27.4%, donkey; 23.5%, horse; and 24.3%, dog. Tick infestation of different animals differed on the basis of the zones. Camels showed the highest tick infestation rate in zones 1 and 2 (21.4 and 26.7%, respectively), whereas donkeys showed the highest infestation rate in zones 3, 4, 6, and 7 (25, 39.3, 3.3, and 21.4%, respectively). The infestation rates of Hyalomma and Rhipicephalus were the highest in zone 2 (71.4 and 52.9%, respectively). The infestation rate of Hyalomma was the highest (47.4%) in sheep; Haemaphysalis (46.9%), goat; Rhipicephalus (69.7%), buffalo; Rhipicephalus (62.3%), cattle; Hyalomma (70%), camel; Ixodes (60.9%), donkey; Ixodes (75%), horse; and Rhipicephalus (61.1%), dog. This study showed the diversity and infestation rate of different ticks with respect to their hosts and agro-ecological zones of Pakistan. High tick burdens and infestation rates are responsible for the spread of different tick-borne infections, resulting in loss of animal productivity and posing a threat to animal and human health. Understanding different tick species and their distribution across different zones will be helpful for developing efficient control strategies against different tick born infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazeer Hussain
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | | | - Haroon Ahmed
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan,*Correspondence: Haroon Ahmed ✉
| | - Muhammad Sohail Afzal
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Science, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Shafi Ullah
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Abid Ali
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Shumaila Irum
- Department of Zoology, University of Gujrat, Gujrat, Pakistan
| | | | - Jianhai Yin
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research), Shanghai, China,Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Shanghai, China,World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianping Cao
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research), Shanghai, China,Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Shanghai, China,World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, China,The School of Global Health, Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China,Jianping Cao ✉
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Nielebeck C, Kim SH, Dedmon L, Pangilinan M, Quan J, Ota W, Monzón JD. A novel laboratory method to simulate climatic stress with successful application to experiments with medically relevant ticks. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0275314. [PMID: 36174082 PMCID: PMC9522300 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0275314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks are the most important vectors of zoonotic disease-causing pathogens in North America and Europe. Many tick species are expanding their geographic range. Although correlational evidence suggests that climate change is driving the range expansion of ticks, experimental evidence is necessary to develop a mechanistic understanding of ticks’ response to a range of climatic conditions. Previous experiments used simulated microclimates, but these protocols require hazardous salts or expensive laboratory equipment to manipulate humidity. We developed a novel, safe, stable, convenient, and economical method to isolate individual ticks and manipulate their microclimates. The protocol involves placing individual ticks in plastic tubes, and placing six tubes along with a commercial two-way humidity control pack in an airtight container. We successfully used this method to investigate how humidity affects survival and host-seeking (questing) behavior of three tick species: the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum), American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis), and black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis). We placed 72 adult females of each species individually into plastic tubes and separated them into three experimental relative humidity (RH) treatments representing distinct climates: 32% RH, 58% RH, and 84% RH. We assessed the survival and questing behavior of each tick for 30 days. In all three species, survivorship significantly declined in drier conditions. Questing height was negatively associated with RH in Amblyomma, positively associated with RH in Dermacentor, and not associated with RH in Ixodes. The frequency of questing behavior increased significantly with drier conditions for Dermacentor but not for Amblyomma or Ixodes. This report demonstrates an effective method for assessing the viability and host-seeking behavior of tick vectors of zoonotic diseases under different climatic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caleb Nielebeck
- Natural Science Division, Pepperdine University, Malibu, California, United States of America
| | - Sang Hyo Kim
- Natural Science Division, Pepperdine University, Malibu, California, United States of America
| | - Lauren Dedmon
- Natural Science Division, Pepperdine University, Malibu, California, United States of America
| | - Mark Pangilinan
- Natural Science Division, Pepperdine University, Malibu, California, United States of America
| | - Jahred Quan
- Natural Science Division, Pepperdine University, Malibu, California, United States of America
| | - William Ota
- Natural Science Division, Pepperdine University, Malibu, California, United States of America
| | - Javier D. Monzón
- Natural Science Division, Pepperdine University, Malibu, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Fowler PD, Nguyentran S, Quatroche L, Porter ML, Kobbekaduwa V, Tippin S, Miller G, Dinh E, Foster E, Tsao JI. Northward Expansion of Amblyomma americanum (Acari: Ixodidae) into Southwestern Michigan. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2022; 59:1646-1659. [PMID: 35776508 PMCID: PMC9989843 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjac082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Amblyomma americanum (Linnaeus) (Acari: Ixodidae) (lone star tick) is an aggressive, generalist parasite that vectors numerous important human and animal pathogens. In recent decades its geographic range has expanded northwards from endemic regions in the southeastern and southcentral United States. In 2019 five questing A. americanum ticks, comprising two life stages were detected at one site in southwestern Michigan, satisfying one CDC criterium for an established population for the first time in recent history in the state. To better characterize the extent of emerging A. americanum, we conducted active surveillance (i.e., drag sampling) in summer 2020 throughout Michigan's southern counties and detected one adult A. americanum from each of six widespread sites, including where they had been detected in 2019. A larger established population was identified at another site in Berrien County, which yielded 691 A. americanum comprising three life stages, and questing phenologies here were similar to that reported for other endemic regions. Statewide surveillance in 2021 revealed no A. americanum outside of Berrien County, but establishment criteria were met again at the two sites where established populations were first detected respectively in 2019 and 2020. These observations may represent the successful invasion of A. americanum into Michigan. Data from passive (1999-2020) and active surveillance (2004-2021) efforts, including a domestic animal sentinel program (2015-2018), are reported to provide context for this nascent invasion. Continued active surveillance is needed to help inform the public, medical professionals, and public health officials of the health risks associated with this vector.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - S Nguyentran
- Department of Fisheries & Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - L Quatroche
- Department of Fisheries & Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - M L Porter
- Comparative Medicine & Integrative Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - V Kobbekaduwa
- Comparative Medicine & Integrative Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - S Tippin
- Berrien County Health Department, Benton Harbor, MI 49023, USA
| | - Guy Miller
- Berrien County Health Department, Benton Harbor, MI 49023, USA
| | - E Dinh
- Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Lansing, MI 48933, USA
| | - E Foster
- Current address: Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO 80521, USA
| | - J I Tsao
- Department of Fisheries & Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
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Crist SD, Kopsco H, Miller A, Gronemeyer P, Mateus-Pinilla N, Smith RL. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of veterinary professionals towards ticks and tick-borne diseases in Illinois. One Health 2022; 14:100391. [PMID: 35686148 PMCID: PMC9171534 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2022.100391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective A lack of standardized surveillance or reporting of tick-borne diseases (TBDs) in Illinois creates uncertainty for veterinarians regarding TBDs occurring within their practice geography or which TBDs may be encroaching on their area from neighboring territories. Therefore, the objective of this study was to gauge the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of veterinary professionals in Southern and Central Illinois to establish a foundation for targeting educational and outreach programs that address knowledge gaps. Sample 72 veterinary professionals in Central and Southern Illinois. Procedures An online knowledge, attitudes, and practices survey was distributed to veterinary professionals in Southern and Central Illinois. Poisson regression analyses were conducted to determine factors associated with knowledge scores and the estimated number of TBD cases diagnosed. Results Knowledge scores were significantly higher among veterinary practitioners with recent (within the last 5 years) training on TBD. The number of cases of TBD diagnosed was higher among those reporting concern about TBD, and among those who routinely test for TBDs. The types of diseases diagnosed were heavily influenced by the diagnostic method used. Clinical relevance This study paints a cohesive picture of human factors associated with diagnosing veterinary diseases and TBD prevalence in Southern and Central Illinois. Our results highlight the importance and practical value of veterinary continuing education on ticks and TBDs for both companion animals and public health. Building capacity for training veterinarians in parasitology using partnerships between academia and industry may strengthen the knowledge and understanding of ticks and tick-borne pathogens in the veterinary community.
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