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Detecting the Lyme Disease Spirochete, Borrelia Burgdorferi, in Ticks Using Nested PCR
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Risk of Lyme disease: perceptions of residents of a Lone Star tick-infested community

P M Armstrong1, L R Brunet, A Spielman

  • 1Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston MA, USA.

Bulletin of the World Health Organization
|November 6, 2001
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Lone Star ticks do not transmit Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi) in the USA. A different rash illness, possibly Masters' disease, may be mistaken for Lyme disease, leading to an exaggerated perception of risk.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Entomology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Lone Star ticks (Amblyomma americanum) were suspected vectors of Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi) in the USA due to erythema migrans associations.
  • Laboratory studies showed Lone Star ticks did not transmit Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of Lone Star ticks in Lyme disease transmission.
  • To determine the seroprevalence of tick-borne pathogens in a coastal Maryland community.
  • To assess the accuracy of self-reported Lyme disease diagnoses.

Main Methods:

  • Serological testing for Borrelia burgdorferi and other pathogens in 325 residents.
  • Tick identification and pathogen testing of 1556 submitted ticks.
  • Prospective follow-up of 167 seronegative individuals.

Main Results:

  • Lone Star ticks comprised 95% of submitted ticks; only 3% were deer ticks (Ixodes dammini).
  • Borrelia burgdorferi was detected in 20% of immature deer ticks and 1-2% of Lone Star ticks.
  • Only 0.85% of seronegative individuals seroconverted for B. burgdorferi; sera from self-reported Lyme disease cases generally did not react to B. burgdorferi antigens.

Conclusions:

  • Residents overestimated Lyme disease risk due to irritation from non-vector Lone Star ticks.
  • A Lyme disease mimic, potentially Masters' disease, associated with Lone Star ticks may confound surveillance.
  • Epidemiological and entomological approaches can aid in discovering new tick-borne zoonoses.

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