Fifty nymphal Ixodes ricinus ticks collected in Alsace, France, identified by morphological criteria and using MALDI-TOF MS, were tested by PCR to detect tick-associated bacteria and protozoan parasites. Seventy percent (35/50) of ticks contained at least one microorganism; 26% (9/35) contained two or more species. Several human pathogens were identified including Borrelia burgdorferi s.s. (4%), Borrelia afzelii (2%), Borrelia garinii (2%), Borrelia valaisiana (4%), Borrelia miyamotoi (2%), Rickettsia helvetica (6%) and “Babesia venatorum” (2%). Bartonella spp. (10%) and a Wolbachia spp. (8%) were also detected. The most common co-infections involved Anaplasmataceae with Borrelia spp. (4%), Anaplasmataceae with Bartonella spp. (6%) and Anaplasmataceae with Rickettsia spp. (6%). Co-infection involving three different groups of bacteria was seen between bacteria of the family Anaplasmataceae, Borrelia spp. and Bartonella spp. (2%). Results highlight the panel of infectious agents carried by Ixodes ricinus. Co-infection suggests the possibility of transmission of more than one pathogen to human and animals during tick blood feeding.
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**Comment**
Ixodes ricinus, commonly known as the castor bean tick, sheep tick, or deer tick, transmits numerous pathogens of medical and veterinary importance including Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. causing Lyme borreliosis, tick-borne encephalitis virus, Anaplasma phagocytophilum causing human granulocytic ehrlichiosis, Francisella tularensis causing Tularaemia, Rickettsia helvetica and Rickettsia monacensis, Babesia divergens and Babesia microti responsible for Babesiosis,Louping ill virus and Tribec virus.https://ecdc.europa.eu/en/disease-vectors/facts/tick-factsheets/ixodes-ricinus
Ticks spread plenty more for you to worry about beyond Lyme disease
Jerome GoddardExtension Professor of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology, Mississippi State University
When it comes to problems caused by ticks, Lyme disease hogs a lot of the limelight. But various tick species carry and transmit a collection of other pathogens, some of which cause serious, even fatal, conditions.
In my career as apublic health entomologist, I’ve been amazed at the ability of ticks to bounce back from all the ways people try to control them, including with pesticides. Ticks excel at finding new ecological niches for survival. So people and ticks frequently cross paths, exposing us to their bites and the diseases they carry.
Here are some of the lesser-known, but growing, threats from ticks.
Ticks can spread bacterial diseases
Certain very small species of bacteria that can cause human diseases, such as rickettsia, ehrlichia and anaplasma, live in ticks. Ticks ingest these bacteria when they drink animals’ blood. Then when the ticks take a subsequent blood meal, they pass the bacteria along to the next animal or person they feed on.
Probably the most well known of these bacterial diseases is Rocky Mountain spotted fever, the most frequently reported rickettsial disease in the U.S., with about 6,000 cases each year. The number of diagnoses seems to be increasing nationwide, especially among Native Americans, probably due to exposure on reservations to free-roaming dogs that can carry ticks.
When people get sick with Rocky Mountain spotted fever, they usually come to a clinic with three things: fever, rash and history of tick bite. They may also report severe headache, chills and muscle pains, and gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhea. A skin rash is usually present after a few days, but not always. Mental confusion, coma and death can occur in severe cases. Untreated, the mortality rate is about 20%; and even with treatment, 4% of those infected die.
Not all tick species are effective transmitters of the rickettsia bacteria. Even within the vector species, often only 1% to 5% of ticks in an area are infected. So getting bitten by a tick that passes rickettsia bacteria on to you is like getting stuck with a needle in a haystack. The primary carriers are the American dog tick in the eastern U.S. and Rocky Mountain wood tick in the West. The brown dog tick has also recently been shown to be a vector.
In most tick-borne diseases, the tick needs to feed for some amount of time before any pathogens it’s carrying are transmitted to the animal whose blood it’s eating. Rocky Mountain spotted fever organisms generally take between one and three hours for transmission to occur, so attached ticks need to be removed quickly. Doctors usually prescribe the antibiotic doxycycline to treat Rocky Mountain spotted fever, which works quite well if the disease is recognized early.
Ehrlichiosis is another bacterial disease transmitted from ticks to people. In the U.S. it’s most commonly caused by Ehrlichia chaffeensis bacteria, carried by lone star ticks which are common in the eastern U.S. Ehrlichia bacteria infect a type of blood cell called leukocytes. Human monocytic ehrlichiosis occurs mostly in the southern and south-central U.S.; 1,642 cases were reported to the CDC in 2017.
Ehrlichiosis patients usually have fever, headache, muscle aches and a progressive low white blood cell count. As opposed to Rocky Mountain spotted fever, people get a rash only about 20% to 40% of the time. Doctors usually treat ehrlichiosis with doxycycline.
Another tick-borne bacterial disease to worry about is human granulocytic anaplasmosis. In human granulocytic anaplasmosis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum bacteria infects a type of white blood cell called granulocytes. It mostly occurs in the upper midwestern and northeastern U.S., and the incidence is increasing, with 5,762 cases of human granulocytic anaplasmosis reported to the CDC in 2017.
A female Ixodes scapularis tick.Dr. Blake Layton, MSU, CC BY-ND
Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches and progressive low white blood cell count. It’s the deer tick Ixodes scapularis – famously also responsible for Lyme disease – that transmits the Anaplasma bacteria to humans. There’s the unlucky chance that a bite from a deer tick could infect you with both diseases. Again, recommended therapy is doxycycline.
Ticks can carry viruses, too
People usually think of mosquitoes when they think of insect-transmitted viruses – dengue, Zika or West Nile garner a lot of headlines. But ticks can transmit viruses, too.
Scientists have historically grouped tick-borne viral diseases into two categories. One is diseases similar to dengue fever. The main dengue-like viral disease transmitted by ticks in the U.S. is Colorado tick fever, which occurs in mountainous areas of the West.
The other group of tick-borne diseases resemble mosquito-borne encephalitis. Most of these illnesses, characterized by brain inflammation, are not found in the U.S. Powassan encephalitis is the one that is, occurring in the northeastern U.S. and adjacent regions of Canada.
Powassan is a relatively rare but serious human disease, characterized by sudden onset of fever with temperature up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit, along with convulsions. Brain inflammation is usually severe, with vomiting, respiratory distress and prolonged fever.
Fewer than 100 cases of Powassan have been reported in North America, with about half of them fatal. Its incidence seems to be increasing; there were 34 cases of Powassan reported during 2017. POW is maintained in a natural cycle when ticks – primarily Ixodes cookei – infect animals with the virus via their bites. Then these infected animals may serve as what scientists call disease reservoirs, infecting new ticks when they feed on their blood.
Tiny larval lone star ticks next to a penny.Jerome Goddard
In the last decade, researchers have found additional new tick-borne viruses in the U.S. About 30 cases of Heartland virus have thus far been identified. It’s associated with the lone star tick and has been recognized in Missouri, Oklahoma, Kentucky and Tennessee.
A few cases of a new Thogotovirus called Bourbon virus have been identified in the Midwest and southern U.S. The lone star tick may be the vector of Bourbon virus as well.
A food allergy triggered by a tick bite
Maybe the most bizarre threat from ticks is the “red meat allergy” scientists have recently traced back to tick bites. People can become allergic to eating meat when a tick’s saliva passes on the carbohydrate galactose-α-1.3-galactose it had previously picked up in a blood meal from an animal. If prone to allergies, the person can get sensitized to that alpha-gal molecule that’s found in animal blood and other tissues.
Then days or weeks later, he or she may develop hives, swollen skin and lips, or even life-threatening anaphylactic shock three to six hours after eating red meat. Meats containing alpha-gal include beef, pork, lamb, squirrel, rabbit, horse, goat, deer, kangaroo, seal and whale. People who become sensitized to alpha-gal may still eat chicken, turkey and fish.
Take precautions, like tucking pants into socks, when you’re in tick territory.rck_953/Shutterstock.com
Overall, people should be aware of what tick-borne diseases are present in their area and use personal protection techniques whenever outdoors in tick-infested areas. Remember that ticks often come into close contact with people via pet dogs or cats. It’s a good idea to inspect yourself for ticks after being outdoors in tick-infested areas. Reducing the number of tick bites and the amount of time ticks remain attached can go a long way to protecting you from tick-borne diseases.
Disclosure statement
Jerome Goddard does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Republish this articleRepublish our articles for free, online or in print, under Creative Commons license._________________**Comment**
Why people continue to downplay this thing is beyond my understanding.
Compare this:
“So getting bitten by a tick that passes rickettsia bacteria on to you is like getting stuck with a needle in a haystack.” Gerome Goddard – 2019 – (Extension Professor of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology)
With this:
“A lot of tick pathogens are rickettsia and rickettsial diseases. Every time I go to my local physician and I have some strange illness that they don’t know what it is, he says it is probably a rickettsia—an idiopathic condition.I’ve tested negatively for rickettsia, but the symptoms [suggest it] could be.” – James Oliver – 2016 (international expert in medical entomology and acarology,especially the biology and cytogenetics of pathogen-transmitting ticks and parasitic mites) https://academic.oup.com/ae/article/62/4/206/2712469
For the last two years, Coppe Laboratories has dedicated a significant amount of time and resources to dispelling the myth that infection with Powassan virus, a virus transmitted by tick bite, is rare. The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) reports only 100 cases of Powassan virus infection in the United States in the last 10 years. Indeed, that statistic gives the illusion that Powassan infection is rare. However, did you know that the only infections reported to CDC are those that are life-threatening, particularly cases causing severe inflammation of the brain like the case reported in LiveScience? Coppe has published three new papers in the last year that clearly show Powassan virus infection is not rare are at all,and until testing for this virus is included as part of tick-borne disease screening panels infections will continue to be underreported. Coppe’s Powassan Guide, which can be downloaded from the website, summarizes the findings from both tick and human Powassan prevalence studies, as well as defining the patient populations that would benefit most from Powassan testing.
CRITERIA FOR ENVIRONMENTAL RISK ASSESSMENT OF EXOTIC GENERALIST ARTHROPOD BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AGENTS
NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: Generalist arthropod biological control agents (GABCAs) can be an important pest control alternative, enabling greater production with less use of chemical pesticides. Because of a lack of suitable environmental risk assessment (ERA) methodology to assess biosafety, their use has lagged behind other applications of biological control. Due to the technical complexity involved in developing this methodology, this proposed conference is preceded by an independently funded 15-month pre-conference process of structured online discussions performed by an international multidisciplinary panel of experts with stakeholders. The long-term goal of this proposal is to identify criteria to support an improved ERA methodology for exotic GABCAs, focusing on predators. Supporting objectives are to identify knowledge gaps, generate and disseminate knowledge in this neglected area, sensitize the broader scientific community to this need, build scientific capacity, especially among the new generation of scientists, communicate and partner with stakeholders, and support public policies to regulate the safe use of exotic GABCAs. Stakeholders will be involved in key steps to assure that products are practical and have potential to be adopted by those interested in using/producing/regulating exotic GABCAs for pest control. The proposed 1½-day conference consists of a half day symposium to present the results of the pre-conference activities, followed by a one day satellite meeting for contributed talks and discussions to address controversies and identify future needs. The conference will be integrated in or in parallel with the ESA 2019 annual meeting to enable participation of the wider entomological community.
OBJECTIVES: This conference proposal has as a long-term goal to identify criteria and methodologies to support environmental risk assessments (ERA) of exotic generalist arthropod biological control agents (from now on referred to as GABCAs) on non-target species and their associated ecosystem services. To achieve this goal, we will rely on the experiences and expertise of national and international experts and take advantage of and harmonize with previous guidelines already proposed for ERA of biological control agents (BCAs). The conference we propose here will be the culmination of a 15-month process to build a community of experts to focus on key issues to develop criteria and methods that could be used in an ex-ante (pre-release) ERA for exotic GABCAs, focusing on predators. Supporting objectives are to:(a) build a consensus around scientifically-sound methods to assess the environmental risks of introducing and using exotic GABCAs for pest control;(b) identify knowledge gaps in the ERA methods;(c) generate and disseminate knowledge in this neglected area;(d) sensitize the broader scientific community to the need to develop an ERA methodology for exotic GABCAs;(e) build scientific capacity, especially among the new, less established generation of scientists, to contribute to this issue;(f) communicate and partner with stakeholders so they are aware of these developments and in the future can make environmentally friendly commercial and regulatory decisions;(g) support public policies to regulate the safe use of exotic GABCAs within the existing context of BCA-ERA.
Health officials in Grayson County, Kentucky are reporting a recent increase in cases of the tickborne disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF).
Characteristic spotted rash of Rocky Mountain spotted fever/CDC
They report receiving 26 cases of RMSF since July 7, 2019.
Dr. Bryce Meredith made the following statement, “We are seeing an increase in tick-borne illnesses in Grayson and the surrounding counties. Individuals should have heightened awareness regarding ticks in our area. The most common illnesses are Ehrlichiosis and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.”
RMSF is a tick borne disease caused by the organism, Rickettsia rickettsii. Typically, the progress of the disease is a sudden onset of high fever, deep muscle pain, severe headache and chills. A rash usually appears on the extremities within 5 days then soon spreads to palms and soles and then rapidly to the trunk.
Fatalities can be seen in greater than 20% of untreated cases. Death is uncommon with prompt recognition and treatment. Still approximately 3-5% of cases seen in the U.S. are fatal. The absence or delayed appearance of the typical rash or the failure to recognize it, especially in dark-skinned people cause a delay in diagnosis and increased fatalities.
Early stages of RMSF can be confused with erlichiosis, meningococcal meningitis and enteroviral infection.
They are asking residents to ensure they are protecting their family, pets, and yourselves properly while outdoors.
If you find a tick, please remove it appropriately. Also, if you feel fatigued (tired) or having a headache that will not go away, consider seeing your family healthcare provider for tick borne illness testing.
Dr Meredith said, “Ticks are commonly in woods, grassy, or bushy areas. If individuals are planning on being in these areas, they should plan accordingly and wear long sleeves, long pants tucked into your socks, and use an EPA approved insect and tick repellent. Once an individual has returned inside, they should check their clothes and body for ticks. Early awareness and early tick removal is particularly important. Typically, if an individual removes a tick within 24-48 hours, this decreases the rate of disease transmission. I encourage individuals to contact their physician if a tick has been attached for an undetermined time or if they develop fever, rash, chills, or vague symptoms such as new onset unexplained dizziness or excessive fatigue.”
RMSF & the importance of timely treatment: Outbreak News Interviews
DO NOT WAIT FOR LABORATORY CONFIRMATION FOR TREATMENT IF RMSF IS SUSPECTED. This is deadly.
Do not hesitate to use doxycycline in children. New research demonstrates it will NOT hurt children’s teeth.
https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/08/19/monster-ticks-found-in-germany-threaten-europe-with-deadly-disease-crimean-congo-fever/Please note the last quote of the story – that they proved a tropical form of tick typhus in one of tropical ticks found in Germany. Typhus, a bacteria, is making a comeback, particularly in the South. Common in the U.S. in the 40’s, and normally attributed to lice, now it’s been proven to be in a tick. In other words, another disease and a tick found where they supposedly shouldn’t be. Typus is a rickettsial infection with ticks carring numerous species including rickettsia, ehrlichia, and anaplasma. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is also considered a tick-borne typhus fever.
https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/rocky_mountain_spotted_fever/fact_sheet.htmDivided into the typhus group and the spotted fever group, disease is transmitted through ectoparasites (fleas, lice, mites, and ticks). Inhalation and inoculating conjunctiva with infectious material can also cause disease. The good news for most is that doxycycline is a front-line drug for it. Broad-spectrum antibiotics aren’t helpful.
Stanford School of Medicine science writer Kris Newby weighs in on whether some disease-carrying ticks are the product of Cold War experiments.
Kris Newby, author of “Bitten: The Secret History of Lyme Disease and Biological Weapons,” discussed how ticks can be weaponized during an interview with “Fox & Friends Sunday” and supported an investigation into whether or not the Pentagon attempted this feat during the Cold War.
She was responding to a call from House lawmakers for an investigation into the Pentagon to find out if it contributed to the outbreak of Lyme disease that’s currently ravaging the country.
“I think it’s a courageous move and I’m really excited about it because a lot of those Cold War experiments … right out of Dr. Strangelove, are classified,” she said.
Newby, who works as a science writer for the Stanford University School of Medicine, said much of the government’s information on the subject is being kept hidden, but expressed optimism about getting to the truth now that Congress is involved.
Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., is leading the charge and claimed, “bioweapons specialists stuffed ticks with pathogens to cause severe stability, disease, even death to potential enemies.”
“When I wrote the book I researched it for five years, and a lot of documents I can’t get to, but with his congressional power, he can do it, and shed some light on this crazy set of tick-borne diseases that appeared around Long Island Sound in the late ’60s,” Newby said.
Host Pete Hegseth asked if the government’s release of ticks into the public was intentional or accidental, and she said it’s difficult to know for sure.
“Well, Willie Burgdorfer, who is the discoverer of the Lyme disease bacteria, he didn’t give away all the details but he implied it wasn’t the bacterium … but it was another organism that was genetically modified for warfare,” Newby replied.
“It’s not 100 percent clear, but Willie did say, ‘accidents happen.’ There was a lot of trials and pilot programs to try and get the perfect combination of ticks and diseases in them. There was open-air tests. I mean, I found one test on the Virginia coastline where they released over 100,000 Lone Star ticks. They’re the really aggressive ticks that caused that meat allergy.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has come out publicly and said Lyme disease and other tick-borne related illnesses are on the rise and called for “urgently needed” tangible “tools” to fight the growing epidemic.
The CDC has also identified seven new tick-borne germs found in the United States and claimed there’s now a record number of official tick-borne illnesses. The numbers have increased from a total of 48,610 reported cases in 2016 to a total of 59,349 reported cases in 2017.
The agency didn’t reference the Pentagon’s alleged experiments in their explanation and said the cause of the spike is still “unclear,” claiming “a number of factors” could contribute to such an anomaly.
“The spread of Lyme disease over the past several decades has been linked to changes in land-use patterns, including reforestation in the northeastern United States. Suburban development in these areas has increased the spread of these germs because people, ticks, deer, and tick hosts such as mice and chipmunks are in close contact,” their website reads.
“Changing climate patterns can alter the natural environment and longstanding ecological relationships. Since vector-borne diseases have strong environmental links, we expect that changes in seasonality and location may occur. We don’t know what those changes will be, but we know that climate is only one of several very important factors that influence the distribution and occurrence of vector-borne diseases.”
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**Comment**
Notice the CDC wants to do the old bait and switch. Divert all attention away from any tweaking of ticks in a lab making them more pathogenic by blaming the climate.
The climate has nothing to do with ticks being spread by birds, reptiles, and mammals worldwide.
