Passive Surveillance of Human-Biting Ixodes scapularis Ticks in Massachusetts from 2015–2019

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · 5 authors, 6 centres

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TL;DR

This 5-year passive surveillance study analyzed 13,598 human-biting Ixodes scapularis ticks submitted by Massachusetts residents to examine pathogen prevalence and the influence of socioeconomic factors on submissions. The study found that the infection rates of Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Babesia microti were 39%, 8%, and 7% in adult ticks, respectively, and that submissions were higher from areas with a relatively higher level of education. A key limitation is that the passive, fee-based surveillance system may not capture submissions from all socioeconomic groups, limiting the generalizability of the geographic risk assessment.

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BACKGROUND

Massachusetts is a high-risk area for tick-borne diseases spread by Ixodes scapularis, including Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and Borrelia miyamotoi disease. Passive surveillance of human-biting ticks can provide data on human exposure risk that complements other surveillance methods. Methods: Researchers analyzed 13,598 I. scapularis ticks voluntarily submitted to the TickReport service from Massachusetts residents between 2015 and 2019. Ticks were identified and tested for four pathogens via PCR. Pathogen prevalence was calculated by life stage, location, and time. Regression models examined associations between zip-code-level socioeconomic factors and submission rates. Key Results: Infection rates were higher in adult ticks than nymphs. The prevalence of B. burgdorferi was 39% in adults and 23% in nymphs. A. phagocytophilum prevalence was 8% in adults and 5% in nymphs. B. microti prevalence was 7% in adults and 6% in nymphs. B. miyamotoi was less common (2% in adults, 1% in nymphs). Exposure showed seasonal peaks in spring/early summer and fall. Socioeconomic analysis found that a higher percentage of the population with a high school education or less and a higher percentage self-reporting as white were associated with increased tick submissions. Limitations: This is a passive surveillance system dependent on voluntary, fee-based submissions, which may lead to sampling bias. The study cannot determine the true risk of infection, as it does not account for overall tick density or human behavior beyond the act of submission. Implications: The data show the geographic distribution and seasonality of human-tick encounters and pathogen prevalence, which can inform public health messaging. The association with socioeconomic factors suggests that passive surveillance data should be interpreted with caution to avoid underestimating risk in potentially underserved areas.

STUDY TYPE

other

SPECIALTY

epidemiology

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98% · A

ORIGINAL PAPER

PMC10002092

Passive Surveillance of Human-Biting Ixodes scapularis Ticks in Massachusetts from 2015–2019

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

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ABSTRACT

This study aimed to analyze human-biting Ixodes scapularis ticks submitted to TickReport tick testing service from 2015–2019 in Massachusetts to (1) examine possible patterns of pathogen-positive adult and nymphal ticks over time and (2) explore how socioeconomic factors can influence tick submissions. A passive surveillance data set of ticks and tick-borne pathogens was conducted over 5 years (2015–2019) in Massachusetts. The percentages of four tick-borne pathogens: Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia microti , and Borrelia miyamotoi were determined by Massachusetts county and by month and year. Regression models were used to examine the association between zip-code-level socioeconomic factors and submissions. A total of 13,598 I. scapularis ticks were submitted to TickReport from Massachusetts residents. The infection rate of B. burgdorferi, A. phagocytophilum , and B. microti was 39%, 8%, and 7% in adult ticks; 23%, 6%, and 5% in nymphal ticks, respectively. A relatively higher level of education was associated with high tick submission. Passive surveillance of human-biting ticks and associated pathogens is important for monitoring tick-borne diseases, detecting areas with potentially high risks, and providing public information. Socioeconomic factors should be considered to produce more generalizable passive surveillance data and to target potentially underserved areas.

CITATION EXPORT

Alexandra Sack, Elena N. Naumova, Lori Lyn Price et al.. Passive Surveillance of Human-Biting Ixodes scapularis Ticks in Massachusetts from 2015–2019. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. (2023). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20054306

AUTHORS

5 · 6 CENTRES

Alexandra Sack, Elena N. Naumova, Lori Lyn Price, Guang Xu, Stephen M. Rich

1Clinical and Translational Science Graduate Program, Tufts University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Boston, MA 02111, USA
2Department of Biological Sciences, Eck Institute of Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
3Division of Nutrition Epidemiology and Data Science, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA
4Tufts Institute of Clinical and Translational Science, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA
5Institute of Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA 02111, USA
6Laboratory of Medical Zoology, Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA

EDITOR / REVIEWER

Paul B. Tchounwou