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Tick Microbiome Characterization by Next-Generation 16S rRNA Amplicon Sequencing
07:21

Tick Microbiome Characterization by Next-Generation 16S rRNA Amplicon Sequencing

Published on: August 25, 2018

Threats to international travellers posed by tick-borne diseases

Mogens Jensenius1, Philippe Parola, Didier Raoult

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Aker University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. mogens.jensenius@ioks.uio.no

Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease
|August 5, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Travelers can contract 14 tick-borne diseases, including Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis. Suspect these infections in travelers with flu-like symptoms after visiting tick-endemic areas.

Area of Science:

  • Travel medicine
  • Infectious diseases
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • International travel and ecotourism are increasing globally.
  • Tick-borne diseases pose a significant health risk to travelers.
  • 14 distinct tick-borne diseases have been identified in international travelers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the epidemiology and clinical presentation of tick-borne diseases in travelers.
  • To highlight diagnostic challenges and treatment considerations for travel-associated tick-borne infections.
  • To emphasize the importance of suspecting tick-borne diseases in ill travelers returning from endemic regions.

Main Methods:

  • Review of reported cases of tick-borne diseases in international travelers.
  • Analysis of common pathogens, geographical distribution, and clinical manifestations.
  • Discussion of diagnostic limitations and empiric treatment strategies.

Main Results:

  • Lyme borreliosis (Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato), African tick bite fever (Rickettsia africae), and tick-borne encephalitis virus are most common.
  • Clinical symptoms are often non-specific, mimicking other flu-like illnesses.
  • Diagnostic tests are not readily available in many regions where travelers seek care.

Conclusions:

  • Tick-borne diseases should be considered in travelers with flu-like symptoms returning from tick-infested areas.
  • Early empiric treatment with doxycycline is recommended for suspected bacterial tick-borne diseases.
  • The incidence of travel-associated tick-borne diseases is expected to rise with increased adventure travel.

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