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Kelly PH, Tan Y, Yan Q, Shafquat M, Davidson A, Xu Q, Major M, Halsby K, Grajales A, Davis J, Angulo FJ, Moïsi JC, Stark JH. Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato prevalence in Ixodes scapularis from Canada: A thirty-year summary and meta-analysis (1990-2020). Acta Trop 2024; 256:107268. [PMID: 38782109 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107268] [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: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Bb) are a complex of bacteria genospecies that can cause Lyme disease (LD) in humans after the bite of an infected Ixodes spp. vector tick. In Canada, incidence of LD is increasing in part due to the rapid geographic expansion of Ixodes scapularis across the southcentral and eastern provinces. To better understand temporal and spatial (provincial) prevalence of Bb infection of I. scapularis and how tick surveillance is utilized in Canada to assess LD risk, a literature review was conducted. Tick surveillance studies published between January 1975 to November 2023, that measured the prevalence of Bb in I. scapularis via "passive surveillance" from the public citizenry or "active surveillance" by drag or flag sampling of host-seeking ticks in Canada were included for review. Meta-analyses were conducted via random effects modeling. Forty-seven articles, yielding 26 passive and 28 active surveillance studies, met inclusion criteria. Mean durations of collection for I. scapularis were 2.1 years in active surveillance studies (1999-2020) and 5.5 years by passive surveillance studies (1990-2020). Collectively, data were extracted on 99,528 I. scapularis nymphs and adults collected between 1990-2020 across nine provinces, including Newfoundland & Labrador (33 ticks) and Alberta (208 ticks). More studies were conducted in Ontario (36) than any other province. Across nine provinces, the prevalence of Bb infection in I. scapularis collected by passive surveillance was 14.6% with the highest prevalence in Nova Scotia at 20.5% (minimum studies >1). Among host-seeking I. scapularis collected via active surveillance, Bb infection prevalence was 10.5% in nymphs, 31.9% in adults, and 23.8% across both life stages. Host-seeking I. scapularis nymphs and adults from Ontario had the highest Bb prevalence at 13.6% and 34.8%, respectively. Between 2007-2019, Bb infection prevalence in host-seeking I. scapularis was positively associated over time (p<0.001) which is concurrent with a ∼25-fold increase in the number of annually reported LD cases in Canada over the same period. The prevalence of Bb-infection in I. scapularis has rapidly increased over three decades as reported by tick surveillance studies in Canada which coincides with increasing human incidence for LD. The wide-ranging distribution and variable prevalence of Bb-infected I. scapularis ticks across provinces demonstrates the growing need for long-term standardized tick surveillance to monitor the changing trends in I. scapularis populations and best define LD risk areas in Canada.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick H Kelly
- Medical Affairs, Vaccines and Antivirals Pfizer Inc., New York City, NY, USA.
| | - Ye Tan
- Medical Affairs, Evidence Generation Statistics Pfizer Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Qi Yan
- Medical Affairs, Vaccines and Antivirals Pfizer Inc., Collegeville, PA, USA
| | - Madiha Shafquat
- Medical Affairs, Vaccines and Antivirals Pfizer Inc., New York City, NY, USA
| | - Alexander Davidson
- Medical Affairs, Vaccines and Antivirals Pfizer Inc., New York City, NY, USA
| | - Qiaoyi Xu
- Medical Affairs, Vaccines and Antivirals Pfizer Inc., New York City, NY, USA
| | - Maria Major
- Vaccines Medical Affairs Pfizer Canada ULC, Kirkland, QC, Canada
| | - Kate Halsby
- Medical Affairs, Vaccines and Antivirals Pfizer Inc., Walton Oaks, Surrey, UK
| | - Ana Grajales
- Vaccines Medical Affairs Pfizer Canada ULC, Kirkland, QC, Canada
| | - Julie Davis
- Life Sciences, Clarivate Analytics, 3133 W. Frye Road Suite 401, Chandler, AZ, USA
| | - Frederick J Angulo
- Medical Affairs, Vaccines and Antivirals Pfizer Inc., Collegeville, PA, USA
| | - Jennifer C Moïsi
- Medical Affairs, Vaccines and Antivirals Pfizer Inc., Paris, France
| | - James H Stark
- Medical Affairs, Vaccines and Antivirals, Pfizer Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA
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Murison K, Wilson CH, Clow KM, Gasmi S, Hatchette TF, Bourgeois AC, Evans GA, Koffi JK. Epidemiology and clinical manifestations of reported Lyme disease cases: Data from the Canadian Lyme disease enhanced surveillance system. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0295909. [PMID: 38100405 PMCID: PMC10723709 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Lyme disease cases reported in seven Canadian provinces from 2009 to 2019 through the Lyme Disease Enhanced Surveillance System are described herein by demographic, geography, time and season. The proportion of males was greater than females. Bimodal peaks in incidence were observed in children and older adults (≥60 years of age) for all clinical signs except cardiac manifestations, which were more evenly distributed across age groups. Proportions of disease stages varied between provinces: Atlantic provinces reported mainly early Lyme disease, while Ontario reported equal proportions of early and late-stage Lyme disease. Early Lyme disease cases were mainly reported between May through November, whereas late Lyme disease were reported in December through April. Increased awareness over time may have contributed to a decrease in the proportion of cases reporting late disseminated Lyme disease. These analyses help better describe clinical features of reported Lyme disease cases in Canada.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiera Murison
- Infectious Diseases and Vaccination Programs Branch, Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Christy H. Wilson
- Infectious Diseases and Vaccination Programs Branch, Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Katie M. Clow
- Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Salima Gasmi
- Infectious Diseases and Vaccination Programs Branch, Public Health Agency of Canada, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada
| | - Todd F. Hatchette
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Nova Scotia Health Authority, Departments of Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology, Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Annie-Claude Bourgeois
- Infectious Diseases and Vaccination Programs Branch, Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gerald A. Evans
- Infection Prevention & Control, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Biomedical & Molecular Sciences and Pathology & Molecular Medicine, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jules K. Koffi
- Infectious Diseases and Vaccination Programs Branch, Public Health Agency of Canada, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada
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Sanderson VP, Miller JC, Bamm VV, Tilak M, Lloyd VK, Singh-Ranger G, Wills MKB. Profiling disease burden and Borrelia seroprevalence in Canadians with complex and chronic illness. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0291382. [PMID: 37939060 PMCID: PMC10631674 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Lyme disease, caused by vector-borne Borrelia bacteria, can present with diverse multi-system symptoms that resemble other conditions. The objective of this study was to evaluate disease presentations and Borrelia seroreactivity in individuals experiencing a spectrum of chronic and complex illnesses. We recruited 157 participants from Eastern Canada who reported one or more diagnoses of Lyme disease, neurological, rheumatic, autoimmune, inflammatory, gastrointestinal, or cardiovascular illnesses, or were asymptomatic and presumed healthy. Intake categories were used to classify participants based on their perceived proximity to Lyme disease, distinguishing between those with a disclosed history of Borrelia infection, those with lookalike conditions (e.g. fibromyalgia syndrome), and those with unrelated ailments (e.g. intestinal polyps). Participants completed three questionnaires, the SF-36 v1, SIQR, and HMQ, to capture symptoms and functional burden, and provided blood serum for analysis at an accredited diagnostic lab. Two-tiered IgG and IgM serological assessments (whole cell ELISA and Western blot) were performed in a blinded fashion on all samples. The pattern of symptoms and functional burden were similarly profound in the presumptive Lyme and Lyme-like disease categories. Borrelia seroprevalence across the study cohort was 10% for each of IgG and IgM, and occurred within and beyond the Lyme disease intake category. Western blot positivity in the absence of reactive ELISA was also substantial. Fibromyalgia was the most common individual diagnostic tag disclosed by two-tier IgG-positive participants who did not report a history of Lyme disease. Within the IgG seropositive cohort, the presence of antibodies against the 31 kDa Outer Surface Protein A (OspA) was associated with significantly better health outcomes. Previously, this marker has been linked to treatment-refractory Lyme arthritis. Overall, our findings support prior observations of phenotypic overlap between Lyme and other diseases. Seropositivity associated with non-specific symptoms and functional impairment warrants further mechanistic investigation and therapeutic optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria P. Sanderson
- G. Magnotta Lyme Disease Research Lab, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jennifer C. Miller
- Galaxy Diagnostics, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, Raleigh, United States of America
| | - Vladimir V. Bamm
- G. Magnotta Lyme Disease Research Lab, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Manali Tilak
- G. Magnotta Lyme Disease Research Lab, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Vett K. Lloyd
- Department of Biology, Mount Allison University, Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Gurpreet Singh-Ranger
- Upper River Valley Hospital, Horizon Health Network, Waterville, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Melanie K. B. Wills
- G. Magnotta Lyme Disease Research Lab, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
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Kirby AM, Evans EP, Bishop SJ, Lloyd VK. Establishment and range expansion of Dermacentor variabilis in the northern Maritimes of Canada: Community participatory science documents establishment of an invasive tick species. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0292703. [PMID: 37831710 PMCID: PMC10575507 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0292703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Tick populations are dependent on a complex interplay of abiotic and biotic influences, many of which are influenced by anthropic factors including climate change. Dermacentor variabilis, the wood tick or American dog tick, is a hardy tick species that feeds from a wide range of mammals and birds that can transmit pathogens of medical and agricultural importance. Significant range expansion across North America has been occurring over the past decades;this study documents northwards range expansion in the Canadian Maritime provinces. Tick recoveries from passive surveillance between 2012 and 2021 were examined to assess northward population expansion through Atlantic Canada. At the beginning of this period, D. variabilis was abundant in the most southerly province, Nova Scotia, but was not considered established in the province to the north, New Brunswick. During the 10-year span covered by this study, an increasing number of locally acquired ticks were recovered in discrete foci, suggesting small established or establishing populations in southern and coastal New Brunswick. The pattern of population establishment follows the climate-driven establishment pattern of Ixodes scapularis to some extent but there is also evidence of successful seeding of disjunct populations in areas identified as sub-optimal for tick populations. Dogs were the most common host from which these ticks were recovered, which raises the possibility of human activity, via movement of companion animals, having a significant role in establishing new populations of this species. Dermacentor variabilis is a vector of several pathogens of medical and agricultural importance but is not considered to be a competent vector for Borrelia burgdorferi, the etiological agent of Lyme disease; our molecular analysis of a subset of D. variabilis for both B. burgdorferi and B. miyamotoi did not confirm any with Borrelia. This study spans the initial establishment of this tick species and documents the pattern of introduction, providing a relatively unique opportunity to examine the first stages of range expansion of a tick species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea M. Kirby
- Dept. Biology, Mount Allison University, Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Ellis P. Evans
- Dept. Biology, Mount Allison University, Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Samantha J. Bishop
- Dept. Biology, Mount Allison University, Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Vett K. Lloyd
- Dept. Biology, Mount Allison University, Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada
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Wilson C, Gasmi S, Bourgeois AC, Badcock J, Carr J, Chahil N, Coatsworth H, Dibernardo A, Goundar P, Leighton P, Lee MK, Morshed M, Ripoche M, Savage J. Surveillance for Ixodes scapularis and Ixodes pacificus ticks and their associated pathogens in Canada, 2020. CANADA COMMUNICABLE DISEASE REPORT = RELEVE DES MALADIES TRANSMISSIBLES AU CANADA 2023; 49:288-298. [PMID: 38444700 PMCID: PMC10914093 DOI: 10.14745/ccdr.v49i06a06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Background Ixodes scapularis and Ixodes pacificus ticks are the principal vectors of the agent of Lyme disease and several other tick-borne diseases in Canada. Tick surveillance data can be used to identify local tick-borne disease risk areas and direct public health interventions. The objective of this article is to describe the seasonal and spatial characteristics of the main Lyme disease vectors in Canada, and the tick-borne pathogens they carry, using passive and active surveillance data from 2020. Methods Passive and active surveillance data were compiled from the National Microbiology Laboratory Branch (Public Health Agency of Canada), provincial and local public health authorities, and eTick (an online, image-based platform). Seasonal and spatial analyses of ticks and their associated pathogens are presented, including infection prevalence estimates. Results In passive surveillance, I. scapularis (n=7,534) were submitted from all provinces except Manitoba and British Columbia, while I. pacificus (n=718) were submitted only from British Columbia. No ticks were submitted from the Territories. The seasonal distribution of I. scapularis submissions was bimodal, but unimodal for I. pacificus. Four tick-borne pathogens were identified in I. scapularis (Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia microti and Borrelia miyamotoi) and one in I. pacificus (B. miyamotoi). In active surveillance, I. scapularis (n=688) were collected in Ontario, Québec and New Brunswick. Five tick-borne pathogens were identified: B. burgdorferi, A. phagocytophilum, B. microti, B. miyamotoi and Powassan virus. Conclusion This article provides a snapshot of the distribution of I. scapularis and I. pacificus and their associated human pathogens in Canada in 2020, which can help assess the risk of exposure to tick-borne pathogens in different provinces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christy Wilson
- Centre for Food-borne, Environmental and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, ON
| | - Salima Gasmi
- Centre for Food-borne, Environmental and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Public Health Agency of Canada, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC
| | - Annie-Claude Bourgeois
- Centre for Food-borne, Environmental and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, ON
| | - Jacqueline Badcock
- Public Health New Brunswick, New Brunswick Department of Health, Fredericton, NB
| | - Justin Carr
- New Brunswick Provincial Veterinary Laboratory, Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries, Fredericton, NB
| | - Navdeep Chahil
- BCCDC Public Health Laboratory, BC Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC
| | - Heather Coatsworth
- National Microbiology Laboratory Branch, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB
| | - Antonia Dibernardo
- National Microbiology Laboratory Branch, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB
| | | | - Patrick Leighton
- Epidemiology of Zoonoses and Public Health Research Group (GREZOSP), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC
| | - Min-Kuang Lee
- BCCDC Public Health Laboratory, BC Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC
| | - Muhammad Morshed
- BCCDC Public Health Laboratory, BC Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
| | - Marion Ripoche
- Institut national de santé publique du Québec, Montréal, QC
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Poh KC, Evans JR, Skvarla MJ, Machtinger ET. All for One Health and One Health for All: Considerations for Successful Citizen Science Projects Conducting Vector Surveillance from Animal Hosts. INSECTS 2022; 13:492. [PMID: 35735829 PMCID: PMC9225105 DOI: 10.3390/insects13060492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Many vector-borne diseases that affect humans are zoonotic, often involving some animal host amplifying the pathogen and infecting an arthropod vector, followed by pathogen spillover into the human population via the bite of the infected vector. As urbanization, globalization, travel, and trade continue to increase, so does the risk posed by vector-borne diseases and spillover events. With the introduction of new vectors and potential pathogens as well as range expansions of native vectors, it is vital to conduct vector and vector-borne disease surveillance. Traditional surveillance methods can be time-consuming and labor-intensive, especially when surveillance involves sampling from animals. In order to monitor for potential vector-borne disease threats, researchers have turned to the public to help with data collection. To address vector-borne disease and animal conservation needs, we conducted a literature review of studies from the United States and Canada utilizing citizen science efforts to collect arthropods of public health and veterinary interest from animals. We identified common stakeholder groups, the types of surveillance that are common with each group, and the literature gaps on understudied vectors and populations. From this review, we synthesized considerations for future research projects involving citizen scientist collection of arthropods that affect humans and animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen C. Poh
- Department of Entomology, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; (J.R.E.); (M.J.S.); (E.T.M.)
- USDA-ARS Animal Disease Research Unit, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Jesse R. Evans
- Department of Entomology, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; (J.R.E.); (M.J.S.); (E.T.M.)
| | - Michael J. Skvarla
- Department of Entomology, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; (J.R.E.); (M.J.S.); (E.T.M.)
| | - Erika T. Machtinger
- Department of Entomology, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; (J.R.E.); (M.J.S.); (E.T.M.)
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Cull B. Monitoring Trends in Distribution and Seasonality of Medically Important Ticks in North America Using Online Crowdsourced Records from iNaturalist. INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13050404. [PMID: 35621740 PMCID: PMC9145093 DOI: 10.3390/insects13050404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Simple Summary An increasing number of cases of tick-borne diseases are being reported across North America and in new areas. This has been linked to the spread of ticks, primarily the blacklegged tick Ixodes scapularis and the lone star tick Amblyomma americanum, into new geographical regions. Tick surveillance systems have played an important role in monitoring the changing distributions of these ticks and have benefitted greatly from including data collected by members of the public through citizen or community science projects. Enlisting the help of community scientists is an economical way to collect large amounts of data over a wide geographical area, and participants can also benefit by receiving information relevant to their tick encounter, for example regarding tick-borne disease symptoms. This study examined tick observations from the online image-based biological recording platform iNaturalist to evaluate its use as an extra tool to collect information on expanding tick distributions. The distribution and seasonality of iNaturalist tick observations were found to accurately represent those of the studied species and identified potential new areas of tick expansion. Free-to-access iNaturalist data is a highly cost-effective method to support existing tick surveillance strategies to aid preparedness and response in emerging areas of tick establishment. Abstract Recent increases in the incidence and geographic range of tick-borne diseases in North America are linked to the range expansion of medically important tick species, including Ixodes scapularis, Amblyomma americanum, and Amblyomma maculatum. Passive tick surveillance programs have been highly successful in collecting information on tick distribution, seasonality, host-biting activity, and pathogen infection prevalence. These have demonstrated the power of citizen or community science participation to collect country-wide, epidemiologically relevant data in a resource-efficient manner. This study examined tick observations from the online image-based biological recording platform iNaturalist to evaluate its use as an effective tool for monitoring the distributions of A. americanum, A. maculatum, I. scapularis, and Dermacentor in the United States and Canada. The distribution and seasonality of iNaturalist tick observations were found to accurately represent those of the studied species. County-level iNaturalist tick occurrence data showed good agreement with other data sources in documented areas of I. scapularis and A. americanum establishment, and highlighted numerous previously unreported counties with iNaturalist observations of these species. This study supports the use of iNaturalist data as a highly cost-effective passive tick surveillance method that can complement existing surveillance strategies to update tick distributions and identify new areas of tick establishment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Cull
- Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA
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