The results of a recent study by the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), which is affiliated with the City of Hope, suggest that ecosystems suitable for harboring carrier bricks may debilitating Lyme disease may be more widespread than previously thought in California, Oregon and Washington.
Strengthening the research was the efforts of an army of “citizen scientists” who collected and submitted 18,881 ticks over nearly three years through the Free Tick Testing Program created by the Lyme Bay Area Foundation, which funded the research, extracting a wealth of data for scientists. to study.
This new study builds on original research led by the late Nate Nieto, Ph.D., of the University of Northern Arizona, and Daniel Salkeld, Ph.D., of Colorado State University.
This large sample collection represented a complex increase in the number of bricks that professional biologists could collect performing site studies in less time and at a fraction of the cost.
This type of citizen engagement – which may include smartphone apps and photography in the future – could be a “powerful tool” for tracking other infectious diseases transmitted by animals and insects that are important for monitoring human and environmental health, according to a study. results published in the scientific journal PLOS AON.
This study builds on previous work in California and is the first study to make high-resolution distributions of both real and potential habitats in Oregon and Washington.
“This study is a great example of how citizen scientists can help – whether monitoring climate change, fires, habitat changes or species movement movements – on a much better scale than they used to. ever, ”said Tanner Porter, Ph.D., a TGen Research Associate and lead author of the study.
In particular, Dr Porter said the findings of this study could help raise awareness among physicians across the West, and across the country, that stress-borne diseases are potentially widespread. wider than ever expected.
Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu lato), which is transmitted by kicks, and in this study in particular, the western black-footed tick called Ixodes pacificus.
These ticks also carry pathogens associated with recurrent fever and anaplasmosis, which can cause fever, headache, cold and muscle pain such as Lyme disease. Some patients with Lyme disease may get a broth that may resemble a red egg or bull’s eye.
If not treated quickly, Lyme disease can progress to a debilitating stage, becoming difficult and sometimes impossible to cure. This can include inflammation in the heart and brain.
Lyme disease is the most common tickborne disease in the U.S., causing about 500,000 infections, according to the CDC. However, even the most common diagnostic test for Lyme disease misses up to 70% of early stage cases. There is no treatment that works for all patients.
We hope that this survey data encourages California, Oregon and Washington residents to take action against outbreaks in the outdoors, and helps ensure that health care professionals consider it. local diagnosis of Lyme when patients present with symptoms. “
Linda Giampa, Executive Director, Lyme Bay Area Foundation
Citizen scientists were encouraged to post in tickets collected from the bodies of people, pets and clothing. They noted the time and place where the tickets were found, and described activities involved, the surrounding environment, and in many cases specific GPS coordinates.
Field studies could take decades to produce the same amount of data, said Dr Porter, adding, “this citizen science approach could allow real-time cyclical study of beetles and species other relevant, important consideration with emerging pathogens, changing land- use patterns, and climate change. “
Source:
Genomics Translation Research Institute
Magazine Reference:
Porter, WT, et al. (2021) Predicts current and future black-footed ticket distribution, Ixodes pacificus, across the Western U.S. using citizen science collections. PLOS AON. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0244754.