Assessing peridomestic entomological factors as predictors for Lyme disease
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Resource Abstract:
The roles of entomologic risk factors, including density of nymphal blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis), prevalence of nymphal
infection with the etiologic agent (Borrelia burgdorferi), and density of infected nymphs, in determining the risk of human
Lyme disease were assessed at residences in the endemic community of South Kingstown, RI. Nymphs were sampled between May
and July from the wooded edge around 51 and 47 residential properties in 2002 and 2003, respectively. Nymphs were collected
from all residences sampled. Tick densities, infection rates, and densities of infected nymphs were all significantly higher
around homes reporting Lyme disease histories in 2003, while only infection rates were significantly higher in 2002. However,
densities of infected nymphs did not significantly predict the probability of Lyme disease at a residence (by logistic regression)
in either year. There were no significant differences in entomologic risk factors between homes with state-confirmed Lyme
disease histories and homes with self-reported cases (not reported to the state health department). Therefore, although entomologic
risk factors tended to be higher at residences with cases of Lyme disease, entomological indices, in the absence of human
behavior measures, were not useful predictors of Lyme disease at the scale of individual residences in a tick-endemic community.
Citation
Title Assessing peridomestic entomological factors as predictors for Lyme disease