Articles tagged with Ticks
A two-year study enrolling up to 300 participants on Martha's Vineyard will investigate who develops alpha-gal syndrome and why, as well as its impact on daily life and healthcare use. The study aims to identify immune and demographic factors that influence risk and inform diagnosis, prevention, and treatment approaches.
Researchers at Dartmouth Health identified a higher risk of severe reactions in patients with alpha-gal syndrome when receiving blood plasma or platelet transfusions, particularly from type O donors. The study suggests that pre-existing antibodies to alpha-gal from tick bites may be a contributing factor.
Scientists have identified multiple targets for antibodies that could treat Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, a deadly virus spread by ticks. The research found that antibodies targeting the nucleocapsid protein offer protection against the virus, regardless of strain, and could lead to the development of new treatments.
A long-term study on Lyme disease ecology has revealed surprising findings on the role of deer and mouse populations in shaping tick-borne disease risk. Researchers found that mouse abundance was strongly linked to nymphal tick density, while deer abundance was not statistically associated with Lyme disease risk.
UCF researcher Mollie Jewett aims to 'starve' Borrelia burgdorferi of nutrients to prevent Lyme disease spread. Her team is focused on targeting the bacteria's ability to consume riboflavin, a key nutrient for its survival.
Researchers at UC Riverside are developing new treatments for malaria and babesiosis using naturally occurring compounds, including leelamine-derived isonitriles and pyrroloiminoquinones. The goal is to create oral treatments that can interrupt transmission of the parasites.
Researchers uncover how a family of tick-borne viruses, known as orthonairoviruses, evade the immune system by manipulating cellular communication pathways. This study highlights a significant pandemic risk posed by these viruses and emphasizes the need for continued surveillance and preparedness.
Researchers discover that emerging tick-borne viruses can escape the human immune system by producing enzymes that remove proteins attached to human proteins, rendering them undetectable. This finding has significant implications for developing a surveillance system to monitor these viruses and potentially mitigating large outbreaks.
A new analysis of state health department data reveals that more than 6,400 Illinois residents were diagnosed with tickborne diseases from 2004-2022. Lyme disease is the most common tickborne malady in humans in the state, accounting for 4,297 infections.
Researchers found that treating woodland trails with woodchips and insecticide significantly reduced the density of blacklegged ticks, a primary vector of Lyme disease. The study demonstrated that both deltamethrin-treated and untreated woodchip interventions can effectively reduce tick populations in recreational contexts.
Climate change is driving disease emergence in Canada by affecting survival and geographic distributions of pathogens, vectors, and animal reservoir hosts. Physicians should be aware of climate-sensitive diseases and advise patients to take precautions.
A multicenter study found that red blood cell exchange transfusion significantly improves clinical outcomes for patients hospitalized with severe babesiosis, a potentially life-threatening tick-borne infection. The procedure was associated with substantially lower risk of in-hospital death or readmission.
Researchers discovered that inhibiting tick salivation prevents infection by targeting the tick's nervous system and salivary glands. The study found two distinct signalling pathways controlling saliva secretion, with acetylcholine playing a key role in stimulating salivation.
Researchers found that two species of ticks, Gulf Coast and lone star, can live at least one week and up to three weeks on hard-surface and carpeted floors. The study emphasizes the importance of taking protective measures to prevent tick bites.
A recent study by the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies reveals a concerning trend of ticks carrying multiple pathogens in the US Northeast. More than 1 in 10 nymphal ticks tested positive for at least two disease-causing pathogens, with co-infection rates approaching 11% for Lyme disease and babesiosis. This increase in co-infection...
Researchers developed a novel lab-based tick feeding system that enables controlled studies on tick physiology, microbiome dynamics, and pathogen acquisition. The platform supports the feeding and reproduction of bush ticks without animal hosts.
Researchers found that tick infection prevalence in Ohio has increased to 47.6%, comparable to endemic US regions like Connecticut. The study suggests that Ohio's forested areas have the same risk of Lyme disease as Connecticut.
A new study reveals that farmers in the Northeast are facing a growing threat of tick-borne diseases, which can be devastating to their livelihoods. The research found that farmers often experience multiple tick bites per month, with some contracting serious illnesses like Lyme carditis.
Researchers from North Carolina State University have confirmed a new species of Rickettsia bacteria found in dogs, associated with symptoms similar to those of Rocky Mountain spotted fever. The new species, Rickettsia finnyi, has been cultured and sequenced, and its genome revealed a unique circular chromosome.
A 47-year-old man from New Jersey died after consuming beef due to a tick-borne meat allergy caused by the Lone Star tick's alpha-gal sugar. Researchers identified the allergy and its link to fatal anaphylaxis, urging physicians to investigate severe abdominal pain after eating red meat in areas with high Lone Star tick populations.
Researchers have discovered that manganese is both an armor and a weakness for the Lyme disease bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi. Exploiting this vulnerability could lead to new therapeutic strategies for treating the disease.
The Bay Area Lyme Foundation is offering two $150,000 grants to support research on novel approaches in Lyme disease diagnostics and treatments. The Tick-borne Pathogen Award focuses on co-infections with Borrelia burgdorferi or stand-alone investigations of non-Borrelia tick-borne pathogens.
Researchers found regions with higher numbers of potentially harmful tick species in Illinois, increasing risk of infection with multiple diseases. The lone star tick is prevalent in southern Illinois, while the black-legged tick dominates northern and central Illinois.
A new surveillance study from UNC Greensboro found a dramatic increase in Lyme disease cases in North Carolina, with blacklegged ticks expanding their range into the state. Ticks from the Blue Ridge Mountains were more likely to carry Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria responsible for most Lyme disease cases.
Researchers from the University of Surrey identified two novel antiviral effectors in tick cells that can reduce SFTSV replication, offering new hope for preventing tick-to-human transmission. Understanding how ticks tolerate viruses is crucial for developing effective vector control strategies and prevention methods.
The team built a high-resolution 3D structure of the Powassan virus, shedding light on its transmission and potential therapeutics. The findings could inform future treatments and preventions for this emerging tick-borne disease.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have identified a naturally occurring compound secreted by donkeys that effectively repels adult Ixodes scapularis ticks, the primary tick species responsible for spreading Lyme disease. The compound, (E)-2-octenal, shows promise as a natural alternative to DEET-based repellents.
Researchers at Washington State University found that animals exposed to ticks developed resistance, dramatically shrinking the tick population. This natural immune response could be replicated through a vaccine, offering new insights into tick ecology and dynamics.
A new study reveals emerging cases of babesiosis in the Mid-Atlantic region, documenting human cases and detecting Babesia microti in local tick populations. The research highlights the growing public health threat posed by this tick-borne disease, emphasizing the need for increased surveillance, public awareness, and preventive measures.
Researchers at UMass Amherst's New England Center of Excellence in Vector-borne Diseases have identified a new strain of Rickettsia bacteria that causes spotted fever infections in humans. The discovery in Maine suggests rabbit ticks could be a zoonotic vector for serious infections, contradicting the usual dog tick vector.
Researchers identified piperacillin as an effective treatment for Lyme disease, which causes devastating symptoms in half a million individuals annually. The antibiotic works by targeting the bacteria's unique cell wall synthesis pattern, leading to its death without harming beneficial gut microbes.
Researchers believe that post-treatment Lyme disease (PTLD) is caused by the body's response to remnants of the Borrelia burgdorferi cell wall, which persists in the liver. The unique structural properties of this peptidoglycan molecule promote its persistence and may lead to a stronger immune response in some individuals.
Analysis indicates a potential east-west gradient of increased red meat allergy risk in the Mid-Atlantic US due to fragmented habitats. Tick bites may play a role in triggering this condition.
Researchers found that pheasants released in the UK can carry Lyme disease bacteria in ticks, increasing the risk of human exposure. The study suggests 'spillback' from non-native species can lead to the emergence of zoonoses.
Researchers have made significant discoveries about the role of GP38 in viral infections and pathogenesis, highlighting its potential as a target for vaccines and medical countermeasures. Non-neutralizing GP38-specific antibodies have shown protective efficacy against lethal challenge, reducing circulating GP38 and vascular leak.
A UMass Amherst Ph.D. student has been awarded a €20,000 grant to investigate a new therapeutic target for Lyme disease by targeting the GuaB enzyme necessary for Borrelia burgdorferi replication in mammals.
Researchers found tick tubes effective in reducing ticks on mice within one season, with mice using more cotton over time. The study suggests that consistent deployment and replacement of tick tubes are key to effectiveness, targeting cooler months or consistently throughout the year.
Researchers have identified genetic markers that determine sex determination in cattle fever ticks, a breakthrough that could lead to novel control methods. The discovery opens the door for innovative solutions against disease-carrying ticks and answers a basic biological mystery about these pests.
Researchers are assessing the impact of spongy moth defoliation on blacklegged tick survival and the spread of Lyme disease. The team set up 144 mesh enclosures to study ticks in different conditions, including heavily defoliated areas and those with lower defoliation.
Climate change is enabling invasive tick species to establish themselves in new areas via migrating birds, potentially spreading novel tick-borne pathogens. The study found that some bird species carried more ticks than others, with certain bacteria types associated with specific tick species.