The Ecology and Epidemiology of the Blacklegged Tick, Ixodes scapularis, and the Risk of Lyme Disease in Ontario, Canada

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Date

2017-09-12

Authors

Clow, Katie

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Publisher

University of Guelph

Abstract

This thesis is an investigation of the ecology and epidemiology of Ixodes scapularis and the risk of Lyme disease in Ontario, Canada. Over the past two decades, there has been rapid range expansion of I. scapularis northward into Canada. This tick is a vector for numerous pathogens of human and animal health significance, including Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, the causative agent of Lyme disease in North America. In 2014 and 2015, tick dragging was conducted at 154 sites across southern, eastern and central Ontario. Ecological data were also collected at each site. Ixodes scapularis were detected at 29 of 154 sites, with a “hot spot” for I. scapularis identified in eastern Ontario. Nine sites had B. burgdorferi-positive ticks. The presence of I. scapularis at a site was positively associated with cumulative degree days above zero and negatively associated with westward longitude, based on mixed multivariable logistic regression. The relative abundance of shrubs, the density of the understory and the interaction of these two variables were also significant. Follow-up field sampling for I. scapularis was conducted at 36 sites in 2016 to assess the spatial spread of the tick. Ixodes scapularis was detected at five new sites in eastern Ontario. These findings were consistent with the estimated speed of range front expansion by Leighton et al. (2012). Colonization of I. scapularis at sites behind this range front is occurring at a slower and heterogeneous rate. Data from field sampling and previous surveillance of I. scapularis were used to create an ecological risk indicator to assist public health professionals with risk assessment for reproducing populations of I. scapularis. This thesis provides valuable knowledge on the distribution, spread and ecology of an emerging vector and pathogen, and can be used to target public health interventions.

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Keywords

blacklegged tick, tick-borne, Lyme disease, disease emergence, public health, Ixodes scapularis, Borrelia burgdorferi

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