2024-02-28 08:36:44
What diseases are associated with ticks?
Tick-related illnesses can be caused by:
Bacterial: Lyme disease, rickettsiosis, tularemia, bartonellosis, etc. ; Viral: tick-borne encephalitis, hemorrhagic fevers such as Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, wolf disease, etc. ; Parasitic diseases: canine pyrozoasis, bovine babesiosis, anaplasmosis, etc.
In France, the main tick-related human disease is Lyme disease, which is transmitted by ticks Ixodes ricinus. ANSES studies ticks and the pathogens they transmit in order to identify them, characterize them and combat their harmful effects.
Learn more about vectors and the diseases they transmit.
How do ticks spread disease-causing pathogens?
Ticks feed on the blood of the animals or humans they attach to. They can then become infected by acquiring the pathogen from an infected host. They then reproduce and retransmit these pathogens to other hosts, from which they take another blood meal: Ticks are therefore “vectors” of pathogens that cause disease in animals and humans. Transmission occurs primarily through saliva.
Ticks are excellent vectors because:
For many species, they require blood in large amounts (some females are capable of absorbing up to 100 times their own weight in blood) and for long periods of time (approximately 3 to 12 days, depending on the stage of development). Therefore, they are more likely than other species to absorb and transmit pathogens. For example, it is estimated that female Ixodes ricinus ticks absorb about 1 ml of blood; attached to a host, they can move long distances (significant dispersion); due to their long lifespan (several years), they can be found in nature These pathogens are retained for long periods of time; for many species, they feed on several different types of hosts that can harbor a variety of pathogens, allowing for good circulation of microorganisms within the animal species. For example, nymphIxodes ricinus They can suck the blood meal of birds (passerines) or micro mammals (rodents), or they can suck the blood meal of large animals (deer, antelope, etc.) or humans; their reproduction volume is very large (depending on the species, from a hundred eggs to thousands); their bites are painless due to substances in the saliva they inject.
Lyme disease is the leading tick-related human disease in the northern hemisphere
In France, the main human disease associated with ticks is Lyme disease. It is caused by bacteria that belong to the group Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, which includes at least 5 species pathogenic to humans, is present on French territory.
A few days after a tick bite, if infection occurs, erythema migrans (a characteristic red halo on the skin) will appear around the bite site and extend in a circular pattern. At this stage, antibiotic treatment can halt the disease. If left untreated, the disease can cause damage to the skin, muscles, nerves and joints, causing severe disability. Antibiotic treatments exist and are effective if administered quickly, hence the importance of rapid diagnosis after a tick bite.
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever: possible in France
tick Hyalona fringeCompanies that have been present in Corsica for many years may expand their operations in France due to climate change. This tick prefers dry climates and hot seasons and can transmit Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF). In humans, the disease is usually limited to an influenza-like syndrome with digestive problems. But in some cases, it can worsen and lead to a hemorrhagic syndrome, with mortality rates as high as 30% in some countries. No local human cases have been detected in France so far, but Spain has recorded cases every year since 2016.
Learn more about Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever and the risks of its occurrence in France.
Tick-borne encephalitis, a virus that causes neurological disease
Tick-borne encephalitis virus is mainly transmitted to humans through tick bites Ixodes Infected. Cases may also occur after consuming unpasteurized dairy products. In fact, ruminants can become infected by tick bites and shed the virus into their milk within a few days.
In humans, 20% to 40% of infections become symptomatic. They are mainly flu-like symptoms (fever, fatigue, headache, aches, malaise) and gastrointestinal symptoms. One-third of clinical cases may progress to a more severe form, with neurological symptoms such as meningitis or meningoencephalitis, resulting in hospitalization. The disease can cause serious complications, and neurological sequelae (paralysis, behavioral or memory problems) may last for years.
How to protect yourself from tick bites?
To protect yourself from tick bites when walking in the forest, bush or bush, or spending time in the garden:
Wear closed shoes and light-colored coverings (to better detect ticks on fabric surfaces) Avoid walking in tall grass, shrubs, and low branches, and choose marked paths for walks If bitten Check yourself upon your return, remove the attached tick immediately using a tick remover, fine tweezers or your fingernails (do not use ether or any other product under any circumstances), disinfect the wound area, monitor the bite area for several days, and Consult a doctor immediately.
If you develop symptoms (fever, fatigue, redness) after being bitten by a tick, consult your doctor immediately.
Find an infographic (PDF) with tips on protecting yourself from ticks
What measures does ANSES take against ticks?
Several Anses labs are conducting tick research
this animal health laboratory de Maisons-Alfort, studies ticks and tick-borne pathogens. To this end, tick collection events are held regularly in different regions of France. High-throughput techniques are then used to identify pathogens present in ticks, and the laboratory develops innovative methods to improve epidemiological surveillance of these pathogens. The ability of ticks to transmit identified pathogens has also been the subject of research efforts and studies of interactions between ticks, tick microbiota, and pathogens. Finally, the lab is developing innovative tools to combat ticks, such as vaccines against tick microorganisms.
this Rabies and Wildlife Laboratory Study the ecological epidemiology of tick-borne infections. Therefore, it aims to better understand epidemiological cycles in wildlife and host-vector-pathogen interactions. Another goal is to understand the distribution of ticks and the infectious agents they carry, as well as the factors that influence these distributions. Finally, the laboratory is interested in the exposure of humans and their infectious agents to the risk of tick bites. As part of his work, he specifically studies tick-borne encephalitis viruses.
Other ANSES laboratories focus more on tick-borne diseases, such as the Ploufragan-Plouzané-Niort laboratory, which is involved in research on the role of ticks in the transmission of African swine fever. These studies allow Anses to better understand tick-borne pathogens and thus better combat infectious diseases.
This research topic lies between animal health and human health, fully consistent with the concept of “One Health” (a healthy) are implemented by international health authorities.
Learn more about “Ticks and Tick Diseases” Group ANSES researchers are involved.
risk assessment
In addition, ANSES has been conducting specific scientific assessments of vectors and vector control since 2018. The mission aims to support public authorities to better prevent and respond to risks associated with vector-borne pathogens such as ticks.
Reviews of Sterilization Products
ANSES is also responsible for assessing risks to humans, animals and the environment as well as the effectiveness of active substances and antiseptic products. In Europe, 12 active substances that may be effective against ticks have been approved or are under review for approval. Due to the gradual implementation of biocidal regulations, the vast majority of products claiming to be effective in repelling ticks have not yet received an Authorization for Marketing (AMM) and are therefore not yet the subject of an approved assessment.
Products with marketing authorization have been thoroughly evaluated and the marketing authorization is subsequently accompanied by instructions for use (in particular dosage and duration of protection) guaranteeing effective protection against ticks and harmlessness under the recommended conditions of use. . As documentation is reviewed and active substances are approved at European level, it is expected that the list of products with marketing authorization and whose effectiveness has been verified will continue to change.
To date, products containing only DEET as active substance have been the subject of a complete assessment, and the product assessment based on IR3535 is being finalized. For these products, the conditions of use that ensure effective protection against tick infestation without unacceptable risks to human health and the environment are specified in the marketing authorization and appear on the label, packaging and/or product insert.
See the AST Notes (PDF) on repellents claiming to be tick-repellent.
Want to know more about ticks and all things biting?
discover our Looking forward to the podcast Entitled Zootopic, listen to our show about ticks and all things bites to learn how today’s science predicts tomorrow’s risks.
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