Does Experimental Reduction of Blacklegged Tick (<i>Ixodes scapularis</i>) Abundance Reduce Lyme Disease Incidence?
Controlling the abundance of blacklegged ticks is considered the foundation for the prevention of human exposure to pathogens transmitted by these vectors in eastern North America. The use of broadcast or host-targeted acaricides is generally found to be effective at reducing the local abundance of...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-05-01
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| Series: | Pathogens |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/12/5/714 |
| _version_ | 1797598791884341248 |
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| author | Richard S. Ostfeld Felicia Keesing |
| author_facet | Richard S. Ostfeld Felicia Keesing |
| author_sort | Richard S. Ostfeld |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Controlling the abundance of blacklegged ticks is considered the foundation for the prevention of human exposure to pathogens transmitted by these vectors in eastern North America. The use of broadcast or host-targeted acaricides is generally found to be effective at reducing the local abundance of ticks. However, studies that incorporate randomization, placebo controls, and masking, i.e., “blinding”, generally find lower efficacy. The few studies that include measurements of human–tick encounters and cases of tickborne disease have not shown impacts of acaricidal treatments. We compile literature on relevant studies from northeastern North America to address possible causes for discrepancies in study outcomes and suggest possible mechanisms that could underlie the diminished efficacy of tick control in reducing cases of tickborne disease in people. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T03:25:48Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c8b2fe8645c94d5f8f0ef4bf33ff8ed9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-0817 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T03:25:48Z |
| publishDate | 2023-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Pathogens |
| spelling | doaj.art-c8b2fe8645c94d5f8f0ef4bf33ff8ed92023-11-18T02:47:19ZengMDPI AGPathogens2076-08172023-05-0112571410.3390/pathogens12050714Does Experimental Reduction of Blacklegged Tick (<i>Ixodes scapularis</i>) Abundance Reduce Lyme Disease Incidence?Richard S. Ostfeld0Felicia Keesing1Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, NY 12545, USADepartment of Biology, Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, NY 12504, USAControlling the abundance of blacklegged ticks is considered the foundation for the prevention of human exposure to pathogens transmitted by these vectors in eastern North America. The use of broadcast or host-targeted acaricides is generally found to be effective at reducing the local abundance of ticks. However, studies that incorporate randomization, placebo controls, and masking, i.e., “blinding”, generally find lower efficacy. The few studies that include measurements of human–tick encounters and cases of tickborne disease have not shown impacts of acaricidal treatments. We compile literature on relevant studies from northeastern North America to address possible causes for discrepancies in study outcomes and suggest possible mechanisms that could underlie the diminished efficacy of tick control in reducing cases of tickborne disease in people.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/12/5/714acaricideinsecticidetick controltick managementvector controlvector management |
| spellingShingle | Richard S. Ostfeld Felicia Keesing Does Experimental Reduction of Blacklegged Tick (<i>Ixodes scapularis</i>) Abundance Reduce Lyme Disease Incidence? Pathogens acaricide insecticide tick control tick management vector control vector management |
| title | Does Experimental Reduction of Blacklegged Tick (<i>Ixodes scapularis</i>) Abundance Reduce Lyme Disease Incidence? |
| title_full | Does Experimental Reduction of Blacklegged Tick (<i>Ixodes scapularis</i>) Abundance Reduce Lyme Disease Incidence? |
| title_fullStr | Does Experimental Reduction of Blacklegged Tick (<i>Ixodes scapularis</i>) Abundance Reduce Lyme Disease Incidence? |
| title_full_unstemmed | Does Experimental Reduction of Blacklegged Tick (<i>Ixodes scapularis</i>) Abundance Reduce Lyme Disease Incidence? |
| title_short | Does Experimental Reduction of Blacklegged Tick (<i>Ixodes scapularis</i>) Abundance Reduce Lyme Disease Incidence? |
| title_sort | does experimental reduction of blacklegged tick i ixodes scapularis i abundance reduce lyme disease incidence |
| topic | acaricide insecticide tick control tick management vector control vector management |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/12/5/714 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT richardsostfeld doesexperimentalreductionofblackleggedtickiixodesscapularisiabundancereducelymediseaseincidence AT feliciakeesing doesexperimentalreductionofblackleggedtickiixodesscapularisiabundancereducelymediseaseincidence |