Coinfection by Ixodes Tick-Borne Pathogens: Ecological, Epidemiological, and Clinical Consequences. Issue 1 (January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Diuk-Wasser, Maria A.; Vannier, Edouard; Krause, Peter J.
• Is Part Of: Trends in parasitology. Volume 32:Issue 1(2016:Jan.)
• Page Start: 30
• Page End: 42
• Publication Date: 2016-01
• Subjects: Babesia -- babesiosis -- Borrelia -- coinfection -- Lyme disease -- tick; Parasitology -- Periodicals; Parasitology -- Periodicals; Biology -- Periodicals; Parasitology; Biology; Parasitologie -- Périodiques; Online resources; 571.999
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2015.09.008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1471-4922

Abstract

Abstract : Ixodes ticks maintain a large and diverse array of human pathogens in the enzootic cycle, including Borrelia burgdorferi and Babesia microti . Despite the poor ecological fitness of B. microti, babesiosis has recently emerged in areas endemic for Lyme disease. Studies in ticks, reservoir hosts, and humans indicate that coinfection with B. burgdorferi and B. microti is common, promotes transmission and emergence of B. microti in the enzootic cycle, and causes greater disease severity and duration in humans. These interdisciplinary studies may serve as a paradigm for the study of other vector-borne coinfections. Identifying ecological drivers of pathogen emergence and host factors that fuel disease severity in coinfected individuals will help guide the design of effective preventative and therapeutic strategies. Trends: Coinfection by Borrelia burgdorferi, the primary agent of Lyme disease, and Babesia microti, the primary agent of babesiosis, is a useful model to study vector-borne pathogen interaction. Borrelia burgdorferi increases B. microti transmission from Peromyscus leucopus mice to Ixodes scapularis ticks. Coinfection likely contributes to the emergence of babesiosis in areas endemic for Lyme disease. The frequency of concurrent Lyme disease and babesiosis varies temporally and geographically. The number and duration of symptoms are greater in coinfected patients than in those with Lyme disease alone. Modeling the emergence of tick-borne infections should incorporate pathogen interactions within realistic epidemiological and ecological contexts.