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Klontz EH, Chowdhury N, Branda JA. Laboratory Testing for Powassan Virus: Past, Present, and Future. J Infect Dis 2024; 230:S70-S75. [PMID: 39140722 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiae197] [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] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Powassan virus is a tick-borne flavivirus that can cause severe neuroinvasive disease, with areas of endemicity in the Northeast and Midwest United States, Canada, and Russia. Diagnosis is challenging and relies on a high index of suspicion and choosing the right test based on duration of infection and the patient's immune status. This review covers laboratory testing for Powassan virus, including historical considerations, modern options, and methods being developed in the research space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik H Klontz
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Navid Chowdhury
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - John A Branda
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Kapoor T, Murray L, Kuvaldina M, Jiang CS, Peace AA, Agudelo M, Jurado A, Robbiani DF, Klemens O, Lattwein E, Sabalza M, Fallon BA, MacDonald MR. Prevalence of Powassan Virus Seropositivity Among People with History of Lyme Disease and Non-Lyme Community Controls in the Northeastern United States. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2024; 24:226-236. [PMID: 38436222 PMCID: PMC11035843 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2022.0030] [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] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Lyme disease (LD) affects ∼476,000 people each year in the United States. Symptoms are variable and include rash and flu-like symptoms. Reasons for the wide variation in disease outcomes are unknown. Powassan virus (POWV) is a tick-borne flavivirus that causes disease ranging from asymptomatic infection to encephalitis, neurologic damage, and death. POWV and LD geographic case distributions overlap, with Ixodes species ticks as the common vectors. Clinical ramifications of coinfection or sequential infection are unknown. Objectives: This study's primary objective was to determine the prevalence of POWV-reactive antibodies in sera samples collected from previously studied cohorts of individuals with self-reported LD history residing in the Northeastern United States. As a secondary objective, we studied clinical differences between people with self-reported LD history and low versus high POWV antibody levels. Methods: We used an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to quantify IgG directed at the POWV envelope (E) protein domain III in 538 samples from individuals with self-reported LD history and 16 community controls. The samples were also tested with an ELISA assay to quantify IgG directed at the POWV NS1 protein. Results: The percentage of individuals with LD history and possible evidence of POWV exposure varied depending on the assay utilized. We found no significant difference in clinical symptoms between those with low or high POWV IgG levels in the in-house assay. Congruence of the EDIII and NS1 assays was low with only 12% of those positive in the in-house EDIII ELISA testing positive in the POWV NS1 ELISA. Conclusions: The results highlight the difficulty in flavivirus diagnostic testing, particularly in the retrospective detection of flavivirus exposure. The findings suggest that a prospective study with symptomatic patients using approved clinical testing is necessary to address the incidence and clinical implications of LD and POWV co-infection or sequential infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania Kapoor
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Lilly Murray
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, USA
| | - Maria Kuvaldina
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, USA
| | - Caroline S. Jiang
- Department of Hospital Biostatistics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Avery A. Peace
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Marianna Agudelo
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Andrea Jurado
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Davide F. Robbiani
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Oliver Klemens
- Institute for Experimental Immunology, affiliated to EUROIMMUN Medizinische Labordiagnostika AG, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Erik Lattwein
- Institute for Experimental Immunology, affiliated to EUROIMMUN Medizinische Labordiagnostika AG, Lübeck, Germany
| | | | - Brian A. Fallon
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, USA
| | - Margaret R. MacDonald
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
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Foley N, O’Connor C, Falco RC, Vinci V, Oliver J, Haight J, Sporn LA, Harrington L, Mader E, Wroblewski D, Backenson PB, Prusinski MA. Spatiotemporal distribution of Borrelia miyamotoi (Spirochaetales: Spirochaetaceae) and coinfection with other tick-borne pathogens in host-seeking Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) from New York State, USA. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2023; 60:808-821. [PMID: 37156099 PMCID: PMC10653143 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjad054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis Say, Acari: Ixodidae) were collected from 432 locations across New York State (NYS) during the summer and autumn of 2015-2020 to determine the prevalence and geographic distribution of Borrelia miyamotoi (Spirochaetales: Spirochaetaceae) and coinfections with other tick-borne pathogens. A total of 48,386 I. scapularis were individually analyzed using a multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction assay to simultaneously detect the presence of Bo. miyamotoi, Borrelia burgdorferi (Spirochaetales: Spirochaetaceae), Anaplasma phagocytophilum (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae), and Babesia microti (Piroplasmida: Babesiidae). Overall prevalence of Bo. miyamotoi in host-seeking nymphs and adults varied geographically and temporally at the regional level. The rate of polymicrobial infection in Bo. miyamotoi-infected ticks varied by developmental stage, with certain co-infections occurring more frequently than expected by chance. Entomological risk of exposure to Bo. miyamotoi-infected nymphal and adult ticks (entomological risk index [ERI]) across NYS regions in relation to human cases of Bo. miyamotoi disease identified during the study period demonstrated spatial and temporal variation. The relationship between select environmental factors and Bo. miyamotoi ERI was explored using generalized linear mixed effects models, resulting in different factors significantly impacting ERI for nymphs and adult ticks. These results can inform estimates of Bo. miyamotoi disease risk and further our understanding of Bo. miyamotoi ecological dynamics in regions where this pathogen is known to occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Foley
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, 3138/2130 Comstock Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Collin O’Connor
- New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Communicable Disease Control, Western New York Regional Office, 584 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14202, USA
- Department of Geography, University at Buffalo, Suite 105, Buffalo, NY, 14261, USA
| | - Richard C Falco
- New York State Department of Health, Fordham University, Vector Ecology Laboratory, Louis Calder Center, 53 Whippoorwill Road, Armonk, NY 10504, USA
| | - Vanessa Vinci
- New York State Department of Health, Fordham University, Vector Ecology Laboratory, Louis Calder Center, 53 Whippoorwill Road, Armonk, NY 10504, USA
| | - JoAnne Oliver
- New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Communicable Disease Control, Central New York Regional Office, 217 South Salina Street, 3rd Floor, Syracuse, NY 13202, USA
| | - Jamie Haight
- New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Communicable Disease Control, Chautauqua County DPF Offices, 454 North Work Street, Room B-05, Falconer, NY 14733, USA
| | - Lee Ann Sporn
- Paul Smith’s College, State Routes 30 and 86, Paul Smiths, NY 12970, USA
| | - Laura Harrington
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, 3138/2130 Comstock Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Emily Mader
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, 3138/2130 Comstock Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Danielle Wroblewski
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Bacteriology Laboratory, David Axelrod Institute, 120 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - P Bryon Backenson
- New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Communicable Disease Control, Communicable Disease Investigations and Vector Surveillance Unit, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12237, USA
| | - Melissa A Prusinski
- New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Communicable Disease Control, Vector Ecology Laboratory, Wadsworth Center Biggs Laboratory C-456, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12237, USA
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Cuadera MKQ, Mader EM, Safi AG, Harrington LC. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices for tick bite prevention and tick control among residents of Long Island, New York, USA. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2023; 14:102124. [PMID: 36764054 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102124] [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: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
In the United States, tick-borne diseases (TBDs) are a major public health concern and a source of significant morbidity. To reduce tick-borne disease incidence, understanding factors associated with increased risk in humans for tick bites is necessary. These risk factors can include TBD knowledge, attitudes about prevention and care, and associated practices of individuals and their communities, including paying for preventive services. Our study focused on Long Island, New York, a region with high endemicity of ticks and TBDs. The purpose of our study was to identify gaps in the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding TBDs in residents of this region to inform priorities for TBD interventions. To this end, we performed a knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) survey and collected 803 responses from Long Island residents. Our survey results demonstrated that Long Island residents had a low to moderate level of knowledge regarding ticks and TBDs. Still, residents expressed concern regarding TBDs, with increased levels of concern associated with increased likelihood of paying for tick control and for practicing tick bite prevention strategies. Individuals with pets were more likely to practice these tick bite prevention strategies. Residents with more frequent exposure to ticks, with a history of TBD in their household, and with higher general concern over ticks were also more likely to pay for tick control services. These findings highlight gaps in resident knowledge, differences in attitudes towards tick preventative behavior, and potential factors affecting motivation towards implementing tick control measures, which can inform future public health messaging regarding tick bite prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mervin Keith Q Cuadera
- Northeast Regional Center for Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Entomology, Cornell University, 3138 Comstock Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States.
| | - Emily M Mader
- Northeast Regional Center for Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Entomology, Cornell University, 3138 Comstock Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States.
| | - Amelia Greiner Safi
- Department of Public & Ecosystem Health, Cornell University, Ithaca NY 14853, United States; Department of Communication, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853 United States.
| | - Laura C Harrington
- Northeast Regional Center for Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Entomology, Cornell University, 3138 Comstock Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States.
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Vogels C, Brackney D, Dupuis A, Robich R, Fauver J, Brito A, Williams S, Anderson J, Lubelczyk C, Lange R, Prusinski M, Kramer L, Gangloff-Kaufmann J, Goodman L, Baele G, Smith R, Armstrong P, Ciota A, Dellicour S, Grubaugh N. Phylogeographic reconstruction of the emergence and spread of Powassan virus in the northeastern United States. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2218012120. [PMID: 37040418 PMCID: PMC10120011 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2218012120] [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: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Powassan virus is an emerging tick-borne virus of concern for public health, but very little is known about its transmission patterns and ecology. Here, we expanded the genomic dataset by sequencing 279 Powassan viruses isolated from Ixodes scapularis ticks from the northeastern United States. Our phylogeographic reconstructions revealed that Powassan virus lineage II was likely introduced or emerged from a relict population in the Northeast between 1940 and 1975. Sequences strongly clustered by sampling location, suggesting a highly focal geographical distribution. Our analyses further indicated that Powassan virus lineage II emerged in the northeastern United States mostly following a south-to-north pattern, with a weighted lineage dispersal velocity of ~3 km/y. Since the emergence in the Northeast, we found an overall increase in the effective population size of Powassan virus lineage II, but with growth stagnating during recent years. The cascading effect of population expansion of white-tailed deer and I. scapularis populations likely facilitated the emergence of Powassan virus in the northeastern United States.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chantal B. F. Vogels
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06510
| | - Doug E. Brackney
- Center for Vector Biology and Zoonotic Diseases, Department of Entomology, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, CT 06511
| | - Alan P. Dupuis
- The Arbovirus Laboratory, New York State Department of Health, Wadsworth Center, Slingerlands, NY 12159
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Albany School of Public Health, Albany, NY 12222
| | - Rebecca M. Robich
- Vector-borne Disease Laboratory, MaineHealth Institute for Research, Scarborough, ME 04074
| | - Joseph R. Fauver
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06510
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198
| | - Anderson F. Brito
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06510
- Instituto Todos pela Saúde, São Paulo SP01310-942, Brazil
| | - Scott C. Williams
- Department of Environmental Science and Forestry, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, CT 06511
| | - John F. Anderson
- Center for Vector Biology and Zoonotic Diseases, Department of Entomology, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, CT 06511
| | - Charles B. Lubelczyk
- Vector-borne Disease Laboratory, MaineHealth Institute for Research, Scarborough, ME 04074
| | - Rachel E. Lange
- The Arbovirus Laboratory, New York State Department of Health, Wadsworth Center, Slingerlands, NY 12159
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Albany School of Public Health, Albany, NY 12222
| | - Melissa A. Prusinski
- New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Communicable Disease Control, Albany, NY 12237
| | - Laura D. Kramer
- The Arbovirus Laboratory, New York State Department of Health, Wadsworth Center, Slingerlands, NY 12159
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Albany School of Public Health, Albany, NY 12222
| | | | - Laura B. Goodman
- Department of Public and Ecosystem Health, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853
| | - Guy Baele
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven3000, Belgium
| | - Robert P. Smith
- Vector-borne Disease Laboratory, MaineHealth Institute for Research, Scarborough, ME 04074
| | - Philip M. Armstrong
- Center for Vector Biology and Zoonotic Diseases, Department of Entomology, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, CT 06511
| | - Alexander T. Ciota
- The Arbovirus Laboratory, New York State Department of Health, Wadsworth Center, Slingerlands, NY 12159
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Albany School of Public Health, Albany, NY 12222
| | - Simon Dellicour
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven3000, Belgium
- Spatial Epidemiology Lab, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels1050, Belgium
| | - Nathan D. Grubaugh
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06510
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511
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Rochlin I, Benach JL, Furie MB, Thanassi DG, Kim HK. Rapid invasion and expansion of the Asian longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis) into a new area on Long Island, New York, USA. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2023; 14:102088. [PMID: 36436461 PMCID: PMC9898124 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.102088] [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: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Since its discovery in the United States in 2017, the Asian longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis) has been detected in most eastern states between Rhode Island and Georgia. Long Island, east of New York City, a recognized high-risk area for tick-borne diseases, is geographically close to New Jersey and New York sites where H. longicornis was originally found. However, extensive tick surveys conducted in 2018 did not identify H. longicornis on Long Island. In stark contrast, our 2022 tick survey suggests that H. longicornis has rapidly invaded and expanded in multiple surveying sites on Long Island (12 out of 17 sites). Overall, the relative abundance of H. longicornis was similar to that of lone star ticks, Amblyomma americanum, a previously recognized tick species abundantly present on Long Island. Interestingly, our survey suggests that H. longicornis has expanded within the Appalachian forest ecological zone of Long Island's north shore compared to the Pine Barrens located on the south shore of Long Island. The rapid invasion and expansion of H. longicornis into an insular environment are different from the historical invasion and expansion of two native tick species, Ixodes scapularis (blacklegged tick or deer tick) and A. americanum, in Long Island. The implications of H. longicornis transmitting or introducing tick-borne pathogens of public health importance remain unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilia Rochlin
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA.
| | - Jorge L Benach
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Martha B Furie
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA; Department of Pathology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - David G Thanassi
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Hwan Keun Kim
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA.
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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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Automated Real-Time PCR Detection of Tickborne Diseases Using the Panther Fusion Open Access System. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0280822. [PMID: 36374034 PMCID: PMC9769788 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02808-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The incidence of tickborne infections in the United States has risen significantly. Automation is needed for the increasing demand for testing. The Panther Fusion (Fusion) has an Open Access functionality to perform lab developed tests (LDTs) on a fully automated system. Our laboratory adapted two LDTs on Fusion; a multiplex real-time PCR for Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Ehrlichia chaffeensis (AP/EC) and a Babesia microti (BM) PCR. Limits of detection (LODs) were performed with target region plasmid panels spiked into whole blood. The LODs for AP, BM, and EC on the Fusion were 11, 17, and 10 copies/reaction, respectively. The performance of AP/EC was evaluated with 80 whole blood specimens, including 50 specimens previously positive for AP by our test of record (TOR) and 30 specimens (including 20 AP positive) spiked with EC plasmid. AP was detected in 49 out of 50 positive specimens and EC was detected in all 30 spiked specimens. BM PCR on Fusion was evaluated with 75 whole blood samples, including 16 specimens previously shown to be positive for BM and 59 negative specimens, of which 29 were spiked with BM plasmid DNA. BM was detected in 45 samples as expected. AP/EC and BM PCRs were successfully developed and optimized on the Panther Fusion with performance characteristics comparable to our TOR. These assays complement each other and allow for a modular testing approach for tickborne diseases which have differing clinical presentation. Furthermore, automation of these assays will help the lab meet the increasing demand for testing. IMPORTANCE Since the incidence of tickborne diseases has been accelerating in the United States, automation for testing has become essential in affected regions. Unfortunately, because the need is regional, commercial test manufacturers have not yet provided answers for clinical laboratories. Here, we describe the development of PCR tests on the highly automated Panther Fusion for three tickborne diseases. The Panther Fusion assays were evaluated using 155 archived whole blood (WB) specimens previously tested for Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Ehrlichia chaffeensis, and Babesia microti, while WB spiked with DNA from plasmid clones of the target regions were used for analytical sensitivity. We demonstrated that the Panther Fusion assays performed similar to the manual PCR tests used clinically in our laboratory and that automation of these tests had no adverse effect on the performance.
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Freeman EA, Salkeld DJ. Surveillance of Rocky Mountain wood ticks (Dermacentor andersoni) and American dog ticks (Dermacentor variabilis) in Colorado. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2022; 13:102036. [PMID: 36274450 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.102036] [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: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Ticks pose an emerging threat of infectious pathogen transmission in the United States in part due to expanding suitable habitat ranges in the wake of climate change. Active and passive tick surveillance can inform maps of tick distributions to warn the public of their risk of exposure to ticks. In Colorado, widespread active surveillance programs have difficulty due to the state's diverse terrain. However, combining multiple citizen science techniques can create a more accurate representation of tick distribution than any passive surveillance dataset alone. Our study uses county-level tick distribution data from Northern Arizona University, the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment, and veterinary surveillance in addition to literature data to assess the distribution of the Rocky Mountain wood tick, Dermacentor andersoni, and the American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis. We found that D. andersoni for the most part inhabits counties at higher elevations than D. variabilis in Colorado.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Freeman
- Colorado School of Public Health, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, United States.
| | - Daniel J Salkeld
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, United States
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10
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Gregory N, Fernandez MP, Diuk-Wasser M. Risk of tick-borne pathogen spillover into urban yards in New York City. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:288. [PMID: 35948911 PMCID: PMC9365221 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05416-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The incidence of tick-borne disease has increased dramatically in recent decades, with urban areas increasingly recognized as high-risk environments for exposure to infected ticks. Green spaces may play a key role in facilitating the invasion of ticks, hosts and pathogens into residential areas, particularly where they connect residential yards with larger natural areas (e.g. parks). However, the factors mediating tick distribution across heterogeneous urban landscapes remain poorly characterized. METHODS Using generalized linear models in a multimodel inference framework, we determined the residential yard- and local landscape-level features associated with the presence of three tick species of current and growing public health importance in residential yards across Staten Island, a borough of New York City, in the state of New York, USA. RESULTS The amount and configuration of canopy cover immediately surrounding residential yards was found to strongly predict the presence of Ixodes scapularis and Amblyomma americanum, but not that of Haemaphysalis longicornis. Within yards, we found a protective effect of fencing against I. scapularis and A. americanum, but not against H. longicornis. For all species, the presence of log and brush piles strongly increased the odds of finding ticks in yards. CONCLUSIONS The results highlight a considerable risk of tick exposure in residential yards in Staten Island and identify both yard- and landscape-level features associated with their distribution. In particular, the significance of log and brush piles for all three species supports recommendations for yard management as a means of reducing contact with ticks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nichar Gregory
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY USA
| | - Maria P. Fernandez
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY USA
- Earth Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY USA
- Paul G. Allen School for Global Health, Washington State University, Pullman, WA USA
| | - Maria Diuk-Wasser
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY USA
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11
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Schulze TL, Jordan RA. Daily Variation in Sampled Densities of Ixodes scapularis and Amblyomma americanum (Acari: Ixodidae) Nymphs at a Single Site-Implications for Assessing Acarological Risk. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2022; 59:741-751. [PMID: 34994380 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjab213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The public health challenge posed by tick-borne disease (TBD) has increased efforts to characterize the spatial and temporal distribution of ticks and associated pathogens to better focus tick control strategies and personal protection measures. We describe variability in nymphal Ixodes scapularis Say and Amblyomma americanum (L.) density derived from daily drag sampling at a single location in New Jersey over 4 yr and explore how observed differences in daily collections might affect the estimation of acarological risk. We found significant variability in the density of host-seeking nymphs that could suggest substantially different rates of human-tick encounters depending on sampling date, habitat, and ambient weather conditions. The spatial and temporal variability in the distribution of 2 sympatric tick species with different host preferences and questing strategies, suggests that to produce results that are comparable among sites across the area sampled, surveillance efforts may be limited to shorter collection seasons, fewer sites or less sampling effort (fewer plots or fewer visits) per site, and a geographic scope that minimizes the potential temporal and spatial biases indicated here. Our results illustrate that evaluation of models of tick distribution or relative acarological risk based on surveillance data requires a full description of the diversity of habitats sampled and the conditions under which sampling is performed. The array of factors that affect tick host-seeking and that could bias interpretation of sampling results emphasizes the need to standardize sampling protocols and for more caution when interpreting tick sampling data collected over large temporal and spatial scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terry L Schulze
- Terry L. Schulze, Ph.D., Inc., 9 Evergreen Court, Perrineville, NJ, USA
| | - Robert A Jordan
- Monmouth County Mosquito Control Division, 1901 Wayside Road, Tinton Falls, NJ, USA
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12
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Dowling APG, Young SG, Loftin K. Collaborating With Community Scientists Across Arkansas to Update Tick Distributions and Pathogen Prevalence of Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia and Ehrlichia. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2022; 59:565-575. [PMID: 34850921 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjab196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Tick-borne diseases (TBD) in humans have dramatically increased over recent years and although the bulk of cases are attributable to Lyme Disease in the Northeastern US, TBDs like spotted fever rickettsiosis and ehrlichiosis heavily impact other parts of the country, namely the mid-south. Understanding tick and pathogen distributions and prevalence traditionally requires active surveillance, which quickly becomes logistically and financially unrealistic as the geographic area of focus increases. We report on a community science effort to survey ticks across Arkansas to obtain updated data on tick distributions and prevalence of human tick-borne disease-causing pathogens in the most commonly encountered ticks. During a 20-mo period, Arkansans submitted 9,002 ticks from 71 of the 75 counties in the state. Amblyomma americanum was the most common tick species received, accounting for 76% of total tick submissions. Nearly 6,000 samples were screened for spotted fever group Rickettsia (SFGR) and Ehrlichia, resulting in general prevalence rates of 37.4 and 5.1%, respectively. In addition, 145 ticks (2.5%) were infected with both SFGR and Ehrlichia. Arkansas Department of Health reported 2,281 spotted fever and 380 ehrlichiosis cases during the same period as our tick collections. Since known SFGR vectors Dermacentor variabilis and Amblyomma maculatum were not the most common ticks submitted, nor did they have the highest prevalence rates of SFGR, it appears that other tick species play the primary role in infecting humans with SFGR. Our investigation demonstrated the utility of community science to efficiently and economically survey ticks and identify vector-borne disease risk in Arkansas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley P G Dowling
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Division of Agriculture, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
| | - Sean G Young
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Kelly Loftin
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Division of Agriculture, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
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13
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Conde JN, Sanchez-Vicente S, Saladino N, Gorbunova EE, Schutt WR, Mladinich MC, Himmler GE, Benach J, Kim HK, Mackow ER. Powassan Viruses Spread Cell to Cell during Direct Isolation from Ixodes Ticks and Persistently Infect Human Brain Endothelial Cells and Pericytes. J Virol 2022; 96:e0168221. [PMID: 34643436 PMCID: PMC8754205 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01682-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Powassan viruses (POWVs) are neurovirulent tick-borne flaviviruses emerging in the northeastern United States, with a 2% prevalence in Long Island (LI) deer ticks (Ixodes scapularis). POWVs are transmitted within as little as 15 min of a tick bite and enter the central nervous system (CNS) to cause encephalitis (10% of cases are fatal) and long-term neuronal damage. POWV-LI9 and POWV-LI41 present in LI Ixodes ticks were isolated by directly inoculating VeroE6 cells with tick homogenates and detecting POWV-infected cells by immunoperoxidase staining. Inoculated POWV-LI9 and LI41 were exclusively present in infected cell foci, indicative of cell to cell spread, despite growth in liquid culture without an overlay. Cloning and sequencing establish POWV-LI9 as a phylogenetically distinct lineage II POWV strain circulating in LI deer ticks. Primary human brain microvascular endothelial cells (hBMECs) and pericytes form a neurovascular complex that restricts entry into the CNS. We found that POWV-LI9 and -LI41 and lineage I POWV-LB productively infect hBMECs and pericytes and that POWVs were basolaterally transmitted from hBMECs to lower-chamber pericytes without permeabilizing polarized hBMECs. Synchronous POWV-LI9 infection of hBMECs and pericytes induced proinflammatory chemokines, interferon-β (IFN-β) and proteins of the IFN-stimulated gene family (ISGs), with delayed IFN-β secretion by infected pericytes. IFN inhibited POWV infection, but despite IFN secretion, a subset of POWV-infected hBMECs and pericytes remained persistently infected. These findings suggest a potential mechanism for POWVs (LI9/LI41 and LB) to infect hBMECs, spread basolaterally to pericytes, and enter the CNS. hBMEC and pericyte responses to POWV infection suggest a role for immunopathology in POWV neurovirulence and potential therapeutic targets for preventing POWV spread to neuronal compartments. IMPORTANCE We isolated POWVs from LI deer ticks (I. scapularis) directly in VeroE6 cells, and sequencing revealed POWV-LI9 as a distinct lineage II POWV strain. Remarkably, inoculation of VeroE6 cells with POWV-containing tick homogenates resulted in infected cell foci in liquid culture, consistent with cell-to-cell spread. POWV-LI9 and -LI41 and lineage I POWV-LB strains infected hBMECs and pericytes that comprise neurovascular complexes. POWVs were nonlytically transmitted basolaterally from infected hBMECs to lower-chamber pericytes, suggesting a mechanism for POWV transmission across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). POWV-LI9 elicited inflammatory responses from infected hBMEC and pericytes that may contribute to immune cell recruitment and neuropathogenesis. This study reveals a potential mechanism for POWVs to enter the CNS by infecting hBMECs and spreading basolaterally to abluminal pericytes. Our findings reveal that POWV-LI9 persists in cells that form a neurovascular complex spanning the BBB and suggest potential therapeutic targets for preventing POWV spread to neuronal compartments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas N. Conde
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
- Center for Infectious Disease, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Santiago Sanchez-Vicente
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University New York, New York, USA
| | - Nicholas Saladino
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
- Center for Infectious Disease, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Elena E. Gorbunova
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
- Center for Infectious Disease, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - William R. Schutt
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
- Center for Infectious Disease, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Megan C. Mladinich
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
- Center for Infectious Disease, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Grace E. Himmler
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
- Center for Infectious Disease, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Jorge Benach
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
- Center for Infectious Disease, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Hwan Keun Kim
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
- Center for Infectious Disease, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Erich R. Mackow
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
- Center for Infectious Disease, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
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14
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The Role of Ticks in the Emergence of Borrelia burgdorferi as a Zoonotic Pathogen and Its Vector Control: A Global Systemic Review. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9122412. [PMID: 34946014 PMCID: PMC8709295 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9122412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks are widely distributed across the globe, serving as hosts for numerous pathogens that make them major contributors to zoonotic parasitosis. Borrelia burgdorferi is a bacterial species that causes an emerging zoonotic tick-borne disease known as Lyme borreliosis. The role of ticks in the transmission of this pathogen was explored in this study. According to this systematic review, undertaken according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, 19 tick species are known to carry Borrelia burgdorferi, with more than half of the recorded cases in the last two decades related to Ixodes ricinus and Ixodes scapularis ticks. Forty-six studies from four continents, Europe, North America, Asia, and Africa, reported this pathogen in ticks collected from vegetation, animals, and humans. This study highlights an increasing distribution of tick-associated Borrelia burgdorferi, likely driven by accelerated tick population increases in response to climate change coupled with tick dispersal via migratory birds. This updated catalogue helps in compiling all tick species responsible for the transmission of B. burgdorferi across the globe. Gaps in research exist on Borrelia burgdorferi in continents such as Asia and Africa, and in considering environmentally friendly vector control strategies in Europe and North America.
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15
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Anoopkumar AN, Aneesh EM. Assessing the importance of Molecular and Genetic perspectives in Prophesying the KFD transmission risk provinces in the Western Ghats, Kerala, INDIA in context with spatial distribution, Extensive genetic Diversity, and phylogeography. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2021; 76:101652. [PMID: 33910066 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2021.101652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The deadly effects of KFD have been pointed in southern India; however, the infecting regions have been getting larger in recent epochs. People who live or work in regions where KFDV infected tick vectors are present are severely prone to procuring the infection. Being aware of tick vectors and infectious agents' geospatial location is vital to direct sustenance approaches to prevent and manage such infectious diseases as KFD. The present investigation has focussed on the spatial distribution, Extensive genetic Diversity, and phylogeography to forecast the probable KFD disease risk provinces in the Western Ghats. The statistical analysis for diversity indices and community comparison has been performed by using SPSS version 24.0.0 and R software version 3.4.2. The nucleotide sequences of the respective ticks and KFDV were retrieved from NCBI. The first strand of this investigation revealed that, around the world, the Indian province was found to exhibit a maximum range of diversity for tick vectors. The next strands prophesied the KFD transmission risk areas in the Western Ghats region, India, with computational spatial analysis and phylogeography. The final strand exposed the genetic diversity of the KFD virus and the tick vectors in terms of their spatial distribution worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- A N Anoopkumar
- Communicable Disease Research Laboratory (CDRL), Department of Zoology, St. Joseph's College, Irinjalakuda, University of Calicut, Kerala, India.
| | - Embalil Mathachan Aneesh
- Communicable Disease Research Laboratory (CDRL), Department of Zoology, St. Joseph's College, Irinjalakuda, University of Calicut, Kerala, India.
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16
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Tufts DM, Goodman LB, Benedict MC, Davis AD, VanAcker MC, Diuk-Wasser M. Association of the invasive Haemaphysalis longicornis tick with vertebrate hosts, other native tick vectors, and tick-borne pathogens in New York City, USA. Int J Parasitol 2021; 51:149-157. [PMID: 33130214 PMCID: PMC10029828 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2020.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2020] [Revised: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Haemaphysalis longicornis, the Asian longhorned tick, is an invasive ixodid tick that has rapidly spread across the northeastern and southeastern regions of the United States since first reported in 2017. The emergence of H. longicornis presents a potential threat for livestock, wildlife, and human health as the host associations and vector potential of this invasive pest in the United States are poorly understood. Previous field data from the United States has shown that H. longicornis was not associated with natural populations of small mammals or birds, but they show a preference for medium sized mammals in laboratory experiments. Therefore, medium and large sized mammals were sampled on Staten Island, New York, United States, to determine H. longicornis host associations and vector potential for a range of human and veterinary pathogens. A total of 97 hosts were sampled and five species of tick (Amblyomma americanum, Dermacentor variabilis, H. longicornis, Ixodes scapularis, Ixodes cookei) were found feeding concurrently on these hosts. Haemaphysalis longicornis was found in the highest proportions compared with other native tick species on raccoons (55.4%), Virginia opossums (28.9%), and white-tailed deer (11.5%). Tissue, blood, and engorged larvae were tested for 17 different pathogens using a nanoscale PCR platform. Infection with five pathogens (Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Rickettsia spp., Mycoplasma haemocanis, and Bartonella spp.) was detected in host samples, but no pathogens were found in any larval samples. These results suggest that although large and medium sized mammals feed large numbers of H. longicornis ticks in the environment, there is presently a low potential for H. longicornis to acquire pathogens from these wildlife hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle M Tufts
- Columbia University, Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology Department, New York, NY 10027, USA.
| | - Laura B Goodman
- Cornell University, Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Meghan C Benedict
- Cornell University, Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - April D Davis
- Wadsworth Center, Griffin Laboratory, New York State Department of Health, Slingerlands, NY 12159, USA
| | - Meredith C VanAcker
- Columbia University, Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology Department, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Maria Diuk-Wasser
- Columbia University, Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology Department, New York, NY 10027, USA
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17
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Microbiome Composition and Borrelia Detection in Ixodes scapularis Ticks at the Northwestern Edge of Their Range. Trop Med Infect Dis 2020; 5:tropicalmed5040173. [PMID: 33218113 PMCID: PMC7709646 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed5040173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Lyme disease-causing Borrelia burgdorferi has been reported in 10–19% of Ixodes ticks from Alberta, Canada, where the tick vector Ixodes scapularis is at the northwestern edge of its range. However, the presence of Borrelia has not been verified independently, and the bacterial microbiome of these ticks has not been described. We performed 16S rRNA bacterial surveys on female I. scapularis from Alberta that were previously qPCR-tested in a Lyme disease surveillance program. Both 16S and qPCR methods were concordant for the presence of Borrelia. The 16S studies also provided a profile of associated bacteria that showed the microbiome of I. scapularis in Alberta was similar to other areas of North America. Ticks that were qPCR-positive for Borrelia had significantly greater bacterial diversity than Borrelia-negative ticks, on the basis of generalized linear model testing. This study adds value to ongoing tick surveillance and is a foundation for deeper understanding of tick microbial ecology and disease transmission in a region where I. scapularis range expansion, induced by climate and land use changes, is likely to have increasing public health implications.
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18
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Yuan Q, Llanos-Soto SG, Gangloff-Kaufmann JL, Lampman JM, Frye MJ, Benedict MC, Tallmadge RL, Mitchell PK, Anderson RR, Cronk BD, Stanhope BJ, Jarvis AR, Lejeune M, Renshaw RW, Laverack M, Lamb EM, Goodman LB. Active surveillance of pathogens from ticks collected in New York State suburban parks and schoolyards. Zoonoses Public Health 2020; 67:684-696. [PMID: 32697888 PMCID: PMC7496946 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2019] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Schoolyards and suburban parks are two environments where active tick surveillance may inform local management approaches. Even in a state such as New York with a robust active tick surveillance programme operated by the state Department of Health, these settings are not routinely covered. The goal of this study was to highlight the importance of active surveillance for tick‐borne pathogens by describing their prevalence in ticks collected from schoolyards and suburban parks and to guide the use of integrated pest management in these settings. Tick dragging was performed in three regions of New York State: Long Island, the Lower Hudson Valley and the Capital Region. A total of 19 schoolyards and 32 parks were sampled. The location, habitat and weather at the time of tick collection were recorded. Ticks were speciated and tested for the presence of 17 pathogens with a novel application of nanoscale real‐time PCR. The causative agents of Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis and Powassan virus disease were all detected from Ixodes scapularis in various sites throughout the capital region and south‐eastern counties of New York state. The most common agent detected was Borrelia burgdorferi, and coinfection rates were as high as 36%. This surveillance study also captured the first of the invasive Asian longhorned tick species, Haemaphysalis longicornis, in New York state (collected 2 June 2017). Results from this study highlight the importance of collaborative efforts and data sharing for improvement of surveillance for tick‐borne disease agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Yuan
- Master of Public Health Program, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Sebastian G Llanos-Soto
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Jody L Gangloff-Kaufmann
- New York State Integrated Pest Management Program, Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Geneva, NY, USA
| | - Joellen M Lampman
- New York State Integrated Pest Management Program, Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Geneva, NY, USA
| | - Matthew J Frye
- New York State Integrated Pest Management Program, Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Geneva, NY, USA
| | - Meghan C Benedict
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Rebecca L Tallmadge
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Patrick K Mitchell
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Renee R Anderson
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Brittany D Cronk
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Bryce J Stanhope
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Ava R Jarvis
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Manigandan Lejeune
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Randall W Renshaw
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Melissa Laverack
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Elizabeth M Lamb
- New York State Integrated Pest Management Program, Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Geneva, NY, USA
| | - Laura B Goodman
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, USA
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