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Tonnetti L, Marcos LA, Mamone L, Spitzer ED, Jacob M, Townsend RL, Stramer SL, West FB. A case of transfusion-transmission Anaplasma phagocytophilum from leukoreduced red blood cells. Transfusion 2024; 64:751-754. [PMID: 38491925 DOI: 10.1111/trf.17783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anaplasma phagocytophilum is a tick-borne bacterium and the cause of human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA). Here, we report a case of transfusion-transmitted (TT)-HGA involving a leukoreduced (LR) red blood cell (RBC) unit. CASE REPORT A 64-year-old woman with gastric adenocarcinoma and multiple myeloma who received weekly blood transfusions developed persistent fevers, hypotension, and shortness of breath 1 week after receiving an RBC transfusion. Persistent fevers, new thrombocytopenia, and transaminitis suggested a tick-borne infection. RESULTS The absence of blood parasites on thick and thin blood smears suggested that malaria and Babesia infection were not present, and the recipient tested negative for antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi. Blood testing by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for Ehrlichia and Anaplasma species identified A. phagocytophilum. Treatment with doxycycline resolved the infection; however, the recipient expired due to complications of her known malignancies. The recipient lived in a nursing home and did not have pets or spend time outdoors. The donor was a female in her 70s from Maine who was diagnosed with HGA 3 weeks after donating blood and whose LR-RBCs from the donation were transfused to the recipient 9 days following collection. CONCLUSION This is a confirmed case of TT-HGA. Although rare, TT-HGA has been reported with LR-RBCs and platelets. In endemic areas, testing for tick-borne associated infections should be considered when investigating post-transfusion complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Tonnetti
- Scientific Affairs, American Red Cross, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Luis A Marcos
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Stony Brook University Hospital, Stony Brook, New York, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Linda Mamone
- Department of Pathology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Eric D Spitzer
- Department of Pathology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Matthew Jacob
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Stony Brook University Hospital, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | | | | | - Fay B West
- American Red Cross, Biomedical Services, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
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2
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Braff JC, Arguello-Marin A, Hanscom J, Saucier J, Beall MJ, Qurollo BA, Chandrashekar R, Buch J. Evaluation of Anaplasma spp. seroprevalence in dogs and association with incidence of human anaplasmosis. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2023; 45:100923. [PMID: 37783532 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2023.100923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Point-of-care (POC) ELISA tests are routinely used in US veterinary practices to screen canine patients for antibodies to tick-transmitted pathogens. Results are also used to monitor spatial and temporal trends in canine seroprevalence, and these data can build awareness of the risk to humans of tick-transmitted diseases such as Lyme disease and anaplasmosis. This study utilized a second-generation test that has incorporated additional Anaplasma-specific peptides into a commercial POC ELISA test to allow detection of Anaplasma spp. antibodies earlier post-infection. A convenience population consisting of 19,894 canine samples from a US commercial diagnostic laboratory were tested using the second-generation POC ELISA test to describe regional Anaplasma spp. canine seroprevalence and assess correlation to anaplasmosis cases reported to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by state. Antibodies to Anaplasma spp. were detected in 1646 samples (8.3%) with the Northeast and Midwest US census regions having the highest proportion of positive samples. At the state level, a significant correlation was found between canine Anaplasma spp. seroprevalence and human anaplasmosis incidence (r2 = 0.64). Although estimates of canine Anaplasma spp. seroprevalence presented here using the second-generation POC ELISA are generally increased, especially in the Northeast and Midwest, the regional distribution of canine samples testing positive for Anaplasma spp. antibodies is consistent with previous reports. The observed correlation with human anaplasmosis incidence indicates that results from the second-generation POC ELISA will continue to add value in epidemiological assessment of human anaplasmosis risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer C Braff
- IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., 1 IDEXX Drive, Westbrook, ME 04092, USA.
| | | | - Jancy Hanscom
- IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., 1 IDEXX Drive, Westbrook, ME 04092, USA.
| | - Jill Saucier
- IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., 1 IDEXX Drive, Westbrook, ME 04092, USA.
| | - Melissa J Beall
- IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., 1 IDEXX Drive, Westbrook, ME 04092, USA.
| | - Barbara A Qurollo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, 1060 William Moore Drive, 11, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA.
| | | | - Jesse Buch
- IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., 1 IDEXX Drive, Westbrook, ME 04092, USA.
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Mohseni N, Chang M, Garcia K, Weakley M, Do T, Mir S. Development of a Syndromic Molecular Diagnostic Assay for Tick-Borne Pathogens Using Barcoded Magnetic Bead Technology. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0439522. [PMID: 37166314 PMCID: PMC10269837 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.04395-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Infectious disease diagnostics often depend on costly serological testing with poor sensitivity, low specificity, and long turnaround time. Here, we demonstrate proof of the principle for simultaneous detection of two tick-borne pathogens from a single test sample using barcoded magnetic bead technology on the BioCode 2500 system. Specific primer sets complementary to the conserved genes of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Borrelia burgdorferi were used in PCR amplification of the target, followed by the hybridization of the resulting biotinylated PCR products with specific probes tethered to the barcoded magnetic beads for simultaneous detection, using a fluorophore with high quantum yield. The assay has an extremely high signal to background ratio, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 2.81 50% tissue culture infection dose (TCID50)/mL and 1 CFU/mL for A. phagocytophilum and B. burgdorferi, respectively. The observed LOD for gene blocks was 1.8 copies/reaction for both the pathogens. The assay demonstrated 100% positive and negative agreement on performance evaluation using patient specimens and blood samples spiked with 1 × LOD of pathogen stock. No cross-reactivity was observed with other related tick-borne pathogens and genomic DNA of human, cattle, and canine origin. The assay can be upgraded to a sensitive and cost-effective multiplex diagnostic approach that can simultaneously detect multiple clinically important tick-borne pathogens in a single sample with a short turnaround time. IMPORTANCE The low pathogen load in the tick-borne disease test samples and the lack of highly sensitive multiplex diagnostic approaches have impacted diagnosis during clinical testing and limited surveillance studies to gauge prior insight about the prevalence of tick-borne infections in a geographical area. This article demonstrates proof of the principle for simultaneous detection of two important tick-borne pathogens from a single test sample using digital barcoded magnetic bead technology. Using a fluorophore of high quantum yield, the diagnostic approach showed high sensitivity and specificity. The LOD was 1.8 genome copies per reaction for both A. phagocytophilum and B. burgdorferi. The assay can be upgraded for the detection of all clinically important tick-borne pathogens from a single patient sample with high sensitivity and specificity. The assay can provide a diagnostic answer to the clinician in a short turnaround time to facilitate speedy therapeutic intervention to infected patients and implement public health measures to prevent community spread.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazleeen Mohseni
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, California, USA
| | - Mariann Chang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, California, USA
| | - Kathryn Garcia
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, California, USA
| | - Mina Weakley
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, California, USA
| | - Tram Do
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, California, USA
| | - Sheema Mir
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, California, USA
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Pelletier J, Guillot C, Rocheleau JP, Bouchard C, Baron G, Bédard C, Dibernardo A, Lindsay LR, Leighton PA, Aenishaenslin C. The added value of One Health surveillance: data from questing ticks can provide an early signal for anaplasmosis outbreaks in animals and humans. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH = REVUE CANADIENNE DE SANTE PUBLIQUE 2023; 114:317-324. [PMID: 36471231 PMCID: PMC10036682 DOI: 10.17269/s41997-022-00723-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In 2021, a first outbreak of anaplasmosis occurred in animals and humans in southern Québec, with 64% of confirmed human cases located in Bromont municipality. Ixodes scapularis ticks and Peromyscus mouse ear biopsies collected in Bromont from 2019 to 2021 were analyzed for Anaplasma phagocytophilum (Ap) with the objective of determining whether an early environmental signal could have been detected before the outbreak. METHODS Samples were collected for a concurrent study aiming to reduce Lyme disease risk. Between 2019 and 2021, up to 14 experimental sites were sampled for ticks and capture of small mammals took place on three sites in 2021. Samples were screened for Ap using multiplex real-time PCR, and genetic strains were identified using a single-nucleotide polymorphism assay. RESULTS Analyses showed an increase of 5.7% in Ap prevalence in ticks (CI95: 1.5-9.9) between 2019 and 2020, i.e., one year before the outbreak. A majority of Ap-positive ticks were infected with the zoonotic strain (68.8%; CI95: 50.0-83.9) during the study period. In 2021, 2 of 59 captured Peromycus mice were positive for Ap, for a prevalence of 3.4% (CI95: 0.4-11.7). CONCLUSION We conclude that data collected in Bromont could have provided an early signal for an anaplasmosis risk increasing in the targeted region. This is a reminder that integrated surveillance of tick-borne diseases through structured One Health programs, i.e. systematically integrating data from humans, animals and the environment, can provide useful and timely information for better preparedness and response in public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jérôme Pelletier
- Département de pathologie et microbiologie, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada.
- Groupe de recherche en épidémiologie des zoonoses et santé publique, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada.
- Centre de recherche en santé publique de l'Université de Montréal et du CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
| | - Camille Guillot
- Département de pathologie et microbiologie, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada
- Groupe de recherche en épidémiologie des zoonoses et santé publique, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada
- Centre de recherche en santé publique de l'Université de Montréal et du CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | | | - Catherine Bouchard
- Groupe de recherche en épidémiologie des zoonoses et santé publique, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada
- Public Health Risk Sciences Division, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada
| | - Geneviève Baron
- Direction de la santé publique du CIUSS de l'Estrie, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
- Département des sciences de la santé communautaire, Faculté de médecine et des sciences de la santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
| | - Christian Bédard
- Département de pathologie et microbiologie, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada
- Centre de diagnostic vétérinaire de l'Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada
| | - Antonia Dibernardo
- One Health Division, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - L Robbin Lindsay
- One Health Division, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Patrick A Leighton
- Département de pathologie et microbiologie, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada
- Groupe de recherche en épidémiologie des zoonoses et santé publique, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada
- Centre de recherche en santé publique de l'Université de Montréal et du CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Cécile Aenishaenslin
- Département de pathologie et microbiologie, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada
- Groupe de recherche en épidémiologie des zoonoses et santé publique, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada
- Centre de recherche en santé publique de l'Université de Montréal et du CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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Ingram D, Joseph B, Hawkins S, Spain J. Anaplasmosis in Pennsylvania: Clinical Features, Diagnosis, and Outcomes of Patients Diagnosed With Anaplasma phagocytophilum Infection at Hershey Medical Center From 2008 to 2021. Open Forum Infect Dis 2023; 10:ofad193. [PMID: 37125231 PMCID: PMC10135425 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofad193] [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: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Anaplasmosis is an emerging infection in the United States and in particular, Pennsylvania. We highlight the abrupt rise in cases of anaplasmosis in the past decade in the state of Pennsylvania with the hope of increasing clinician awareness. We identified a cohort of 61 patients diagnosed with anaplasmosis at our institution as well as cases reported to the Department of Health. From our review, we identified not only an increase in cases over time but what appears to be an expansion further into central and western Pennsylvania over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Ingram
- Correspondence: David Ingram, DO, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Penn State College of Medicine, 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA 17033 (); Betsy Joseph, MD, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Penn State College of Medicine, 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA 17033 ()
| | - Betsy Joseph
- Correspondence: David Ingram, DO, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Penn State College of Medicine, 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA 17033 (); Betsy Joseph, MD, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Penn State College of Medicine, 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA 17033 ()
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6
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Abstract
Human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA) is a bacterial infection caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum and transmitted by the bite of the black-legged (deer tick) in North America. Its incidence is increasing. HGA can be transmitted after 24 to 48 hours of tick attachment. The incubation period is 5 to 14 days after a tick bite. Symptoms include fever, chills, headache, and myalgia. Complications include shock, organ dysfunction, and death. Mortality is less than 1% with appropriate treatment. Doxycycline is first line treatment for all ages. Start it empirically if symptoms and risk factors suggest HGA. PCR is the confirmatory test of choice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas MacQueen
- Cayuga Medical Center, 101 Dates Drive, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA; Weill Cornell Medicine.
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7
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Leikauskas JA, Read JS, Kelso P, Heitman KN, Armstrong PA, Kwit NA. Anaplasmosis-Related Fatality in Vermont: A Case Report. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2022; 22:188-190. [PMID: 35263192 PMCID: PMC10960582 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2021.0095] [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] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Human granulocytic anaplasmosis is an acute febrile tick-borne illness caused by the bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum. An anaplasmosis-related fatality in a Vermont resident with multiple comorbidities is described. Clinicians should be aware of the risk factors for severe outcomes of this emerging disease and promptly treat when suspected.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jennifer S. Read
- Vermont Department of Health, Burlington, Vermont, USA
- Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Patsy Kelso
- Vermont Department of Health, Burlington, Vermont, USA
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8
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Price KJ, Ayres BN, Maes SE, Witmier BJ, Chapman HA, Coder BL, Boyer CN, Eisen RJ, Nicholson WL. First detection of human pathogenic variant of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in field-collected Haemaphysalis longicornis, Pennsylvania, USA. Zoonoses Public Health 2021; 69:143-148. [PMID: 34958171 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The Asian longhorned tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis, an invasive species associated with human pathogens, has spread rapidly across the eastern USA. Questing H. longicornis ticks recovered from active surveillance conducted from 1 May to 6 September, 2019 throughout Pennsylvania were tested for rickettsial pathogens. Of 265 ticks tested by PCR for pathogens, 4 (1.5%) were positive for Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene confirmed two positives as A. phagocytophilum-human agent variant. This is the first reported detection of A. phagocytophilum-human pathogenic strain DNA in exotic H. longicornis collected in the USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith J Price
- Division of Vector Management, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Bryan N Ayres
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Sarah E Maes
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Bacterial Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Bryn J Witmier
- Division of Vector Management, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Holly A Chapman
- Division of Vector Management, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Brooke L Coder
- Division of Vector Management, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Christian N Boyer
- Division of Vector Management, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Rebecca J Eisen
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Bacterial Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - William L Nicholson
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Elias SP, Gardner AM, Maasch KA, Birkel SD, Anderson NT, Rand PW, Lubelczyk CB, Smith RP. A Generalized Additive Model Correlating Blacklegged Ticks With White-Tailed Deer Density, Temperature, and Humidity in Maine, USA, 1990-2013. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 58:125-138. [PMID: 32901284 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjaa180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Geographical range expansions of blacklegged tick [Ixodes scapularis Say (Acari: Ixodidae)] populations over time in the United States have been attributed to a mosaic of factors including 20th century reforestation followed by suburbanization, burgeoning populations of the white-tailed deer [Odocoileus virginianus Zimmerman (Artiodactyla: Cervidae)], and, at the northern edge of I. scapularis' range, climate change. Maine, a high Lyme disease incidence state, has been experiencing warmer and shorter winter seasons, and relatively more so in its northern tier. Maine served as a case study to investigate the interacting impacts of deer and seasonal climatology on the spatial and temporal distribution of I. scapularis. A passive tick surveillance dataset indexed abundance of I. scapularis nymphs for the state, 1990-2013. With Maine's wildlife management districts as the spatial unit, we used a generalized additive model to assess linear and nonlinear relationships between I. scapularis nymph abundance and predictors. Nymph submission rate increased with increasing deer densities up to ~5 deer/km2 (13 deer/mi2), but beyond this threshold did not vary with deer density. This corroborated the idea of a saturating relationship between I. scapularis and deer density. Nymphs also were associated with warmer minimum winter temperatures, earlier degree-day accumulation, and higher relative humidity. However, nymph abundance only increased with warmer winters and degree-day accumulation where deer density exceeded ~2 deer/km2 (~6/mi2). Anticipated increases in I. scapularis in the northern tier could be partially mitigated through deer herd management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan P Elias
- Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Vector-borne Disease Research Laboratory, Scarborough, ME
| | | | - Kirk A Maasch
- School of Earth and Climate Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, ME
- Climate Change Institute, University of Maine, Orono, ME
| | - Sean D Birkel
- School of Earth and Climate Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, ME
- Climate Change Institute, University of Maine, Orono, ME
| | | | - Peter W Rand
- Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Vector-borne Disease Research Laboratory, Scarborough, ME
| | - Charles B Lubelczyk
- Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Vector-borne Disease Research Laboratory, Scarborough, ME
| | - Robert P Smith
- Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Vector-borne Disease Research Laboratory, Scarborough, ME
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Gettings JR, Self SCW, McMahan CS, Brown DA, Nordone SK, Yabsley MJ. Regional and Local Temporal Trends of Borrelia burgdorferi and Anaplasma spp. Seroprevalence in Domestic Dogs: Contiguous United States 2013-2019. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:561592. [PMID: 33195537 PMCID: PMC7653440 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.561592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In 2019, in the United States, over 220,000 and 350,000 dogs tested positive for exposure to Anaplasma spp. and Borrelia burgdorferi, respectively. To evaluate regional and local temporal trends of pathogen exposure we used a Bayesian spatio-temporal binomial regression model, analyzing serologic test results for these pathogens from January 2013 to December 2019. Regional trends were not static over time, but rather increased within and beyond the borders of historically endemic regions. Increased seroprevalence was observed as far as North Carolina and North Dakota for both pathogens. Local trends were estimated to evaluate the heterogeneity of underlying changes. A large cluster of counties with increased B. burgdorferi seroprevalence centered around West Virginia, while a similar cluster of counties with increased Anaplasma spp. seroprevalence centered around Pennsylvania and extended well into Maine. In the Midwest, only a small number of counties experienced an increase in seroprevalence; instead, most counties had a decrease in seroprevalence for both pathogens. These trends will help guide veterinarians and pet owners in adopting the appropriate preventative care practices for their area. Additionally, B. burgdorferi and A. phagocytophilum cause disease in humans. Dogs are valuable sentinels for some vector-borne pathogens, and these trends may help public health providers better understand the risk of exposure for humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenna R Gettings
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Stella C W Self
- Arnold School of Public of Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Christopher S McMahan
- School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, United States
| | - D Andrew Brown
- School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, United States
| | - Shila K Nordone
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, Comparative Medicine Institute, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Michael J Yabsley
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States.,Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
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