New Lyme Disease Study: Ticks harbour pathogens associated with Lyme disease
Lyme disease and human babesiosis are the most common tick-borne zoonoses in the Temperate Zone of North America. The number of infected patients has continued to rise globally, and these zoonoses pose a major healthcare threat. A new study provides fresh insights to better inform health care providers.
The newly-published study lead by John D Scott of the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society has been a painstaking task. Speaking to John O’Sullivan of Principia Scientific International John Scott explained:
“Here it is at last. Babesia and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in the same tick—proof of tick-borne, zoonotic co-infections in Canada.During 5 months of review, I had 3 stinging rounds and 7 tough reviewers, plus the editor. Nobody can say that it was pushed through the system. I have spent 2,500 hours on it over the past 2 years—a monumental amount of work.”
The paper titled ‘Detection and Transstadial Passage of Babesia Species and Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato in Ticks Collected from Avian and Mammalian Hosts in Canada‘ was published on December 2, 2019 in MDPI journals.
Below we have pleasure in posting select extracts:
Abstract: Lyme disease and human babesiosis are the most common tick-borne zoonoses in the
Temperate Zone of North America. The number of infected patients has continued to rise globally,
and these zoonoses pose a major healthcare threat.
Temperate Zone of North America. The number of infected patients has continued to rise globally,
and these zoonoses pose a major healthcare threat.
This tick-host-pathogen study was conducted to test for infectious microbes associated with Lyme disease and human babesiosis in Canada. Using the flagellin (flaB) gene, three members of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Bbsl) complex were detected, namely a Borrelia lanei-like spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto (Bbss), and a distinct strain that may represent a separate Bbsl genospecies.
This novel Bbsl strain was detected in a mouse tick, Ixodes muris, collected from a House Wren, Troglodytes aedon, in Quebec during the southward fall migration. The presence of Bbsl in bird-feeding larvae of I. muris suggests reservoir competency in three passerines (i.e., Common Yellowthroat, House Wren, Magnolia Warbler). Based on the 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene, three Babesia species (i.e., Babesia divergens-like, Babesia microti, Babesia odocoilei)
were detected in field-collected ticks. Not only was B. odocoilei found in songbird-derived ticks, this
piroplasm was apparent in adult questing blacklegged ticks, Ixodes scapularis, in southern Canada.
were detected in field-collected ticks. Not only was B. odocoilei found in songbird-derived ticks, this
piroplasm was apparent in adult questing blacklegged ticks, Ixodes scapularis, in southern Canada.
By allowing live, engorged ticks to molt, we confirm the transstadial passage of Bbsl in I. muris and B. odocoilei in I. scapularis. Bbss and Babesia microti were detected concurrently in a groundhog tick, Ixodes cookei, in Western Ontario.
In Alberta, a winter tick, Dermacentor albipictus, which was collected from a moose, Alces alces, tested positive for Bbss. Notably, a B. divergens-like piroplasm was detected in a rabbit tick, Haemaphysalis leporispalustris, collected from an eastern cottontail in southern Manitoba; this Babesia species is a first-time discovery in Canada.
This rabbit tick was also co-infected with Borrelia lanei-like spirochetes, which constitutes a first in Canada. Overall, five ticks were concurrently infected with Babesia and Bbsl pathogens and, after the molt, could potentially co-infect humans.
Notably, we provide the first authentic report of I. scapularis ticks co-infected with Bbsl and B. odocoilei in Canada.
The full extent of infectious microorganisms transmitted to humans by ticks is not fully elucidated,
and clinicians need to be aware of the complexity of these tick-transmitted enzootic agents on human health. Diagnosis and treatment must be administered by those with accredited medical training in tick-borne zoonosis.
and clinicians need to be aware of the complexity of these tick-transmitted enzootic agents on human health. Diagnosis and treatment must be administered by those with accredited medical training in tick-borne zoonosis.
Introduction
Lyme disease and human babesiosis are the most frequently reported tick-borne zoonoses in
temperate North America [1], and have considerable economic, veterinary, and medical impact [2].
The length of attachment time of ticks and the presence of infectious microbes in human-biting
ectoparasites often come into question at medical clinics and emergency departments.
Lyme disease and human babesiosis are the most frequently reported tick-borne zoonoses in
temperate North America [1], and have considerable economic, veterinary, and medical impact [2].
The length of attachment time of ticks and the presence of infectious microbes in human-biting
ectoparasites often come into question at medical clinics and emergency departments.
Delays in diagnosis and treatment become chronic infections. Based on US findings, approximately 63{154653b9ea5f83bbbf00f55de12e21cba2da5b4b158a426ee0e27ae0c1b44117} of Lyme disease patients develop chronic Lyme disease [3]. With concurrent Lyme disease and human babesiosis, patients frequently have more pronounced symptoms and, in some cases, they can have fatal outcomes [4].
Certain areas in northeastern and north-central North America, such as the eastern part of Long Island, New York State, have endemic areas where 56{154653b9ea5f83bbbf00f55de12e21cba2da5b4b158a426ee0e27ae0c1b44117} of the Lyme disease patients have coexisting human babesiosis [4]
 Conclusions
This study highlights three dissimilar Babesia species and three diverse Bbsl genospecies/strains
in ticks collected in centralized provinces of Canada. Of epidemiological significance, we detected
Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, Babesia divergens-like piroplasm and Babesia microti, and all of these three tick-borne zoonotic microorganisms are pathogenic to humans.
in ticks collected in centralized provinces of Canada. Of epidemiological significance, we detected
Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, Babesia divergens-like piroplasm and Babesia microti, and all of these three tick-borne zoonotic microorganisms are pathogenic to humans.
Even though Babesia odocoilei was found in several engorged and questing I. scapularis ticks, we cannot decipher at this point if this babesial species is pathogenic to humans. We detected co-infections in ticks, and suggest that more than one infectious microbe can be transmitted simultaneously to the host during a blood meal.
To our knowledge, we provide the first enzootic study reporting blacklegged ticks concurrently infected with B. odocoilei and Bbsl. Additionally, we report the first evidence of established populations of I. scapularis on mainland Ontario infected with B. odocoilei. In view of the current findings, we advise that I. scapularis ticks play a pivotal role in the transmission dynamics of B. odocoilei and Bbsl spirochetes.
Not only are I. scapularis vectors for multiple tick-borne pathogens, they have the potential to be a bridge vector of B. odocoilei between white-tailed deer and humans and domestic animals.
By holding fully engorged ticks to molt, we confirm that Bbsl in I. muris and B. odocoilei in I.
scapularis successfully undergo transstadial passage. The detection of B. microti in a groundhog tick constitutes a landmark Babesia discovery for this tick species. We provide the first-ever study that documents a B. divergens-like piroplasm in Canada, and this particular strain is known to be
pathogenic to humans.
scapularis successfully undergo transstadial passage. The detection of B. microti in a groundhog tick constitutes a landmark Babesia discovery for this tick species. We provide the first-ever study that documents a B. divergens-like piroplasm in Canada, and this particular strain is known to be
pathogenic to humans.
Within the Lyme disease genospecies complex, a Borrelia lanei-like bacterium is unveiled for the first time in Canada east of the Rocky Mountains. Furthermore, we report a unique Bbsl bacterium that may constitute a new genospecies which may be potentially pathogenic to humans.
Of medical importance, not only are Haldimand-Norfolk residents testing positive for human
babesiosis and Lyme disease, they are dwelling in environmental strongholds with I. scapularis ticks infected with B. odocoilei and Bbsl. Further etiological research is needed to determine whether B. odocoilei is pathogenic to humans.
babesiosis and Lyme disease, they are dwelling in environmental strongholds with I. scapularis ticks infected with B. odocoilei and Bbsl. Further etiological research is needed to determine whether B. odocoilei is pathogenic to humans.
Such research is essential to explain how some individuals are sick, even gravely sick, but test negative for piroplasms or strains of Bbsl. Healthcare practitioners must have the freedom to use clinical judgment, based on empirical evidence, to treat patients with tickborne, zoonotic diseases.
Read the full paper at: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/7/4/155
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