Risk of Exposure and Prevention of Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases Among Foresters in Alsace

Ticks are blood-sucking arthropods that feed on vertebrate hosts. Although wild and domestic animals are the primary source of tick blood meals, humans can be an accidental host. During a blood meal, a microorganism can be transmitted to the host who can develop a disease. All infectious diseases transmitted by ticks are referred to as tick-borne diseases (TBDs). They are the most prevalent vector-borne diseases in the Northern Hemisphere. Among these diseases, Lyme borreliosis is the most common. In Europe, Lyme borreliosis does not cause high fevers (\> 38°C). Therefore, when a patient presents with a high fever with the notion of exposure to ticks, another etiology must be suspected. Anaplasma phagocytophilum and the tick-borne encephalitis virus are classically described as causing febrile syndromes. In France, ticks and tick-borne diseases are increasing, particularly those associated with the Ixodes ricinus tick. This tick is mainly present in forest ecosystems with a peak of activity in May. Foresters represent a population with biting ticks and tick-borne diseases, notably Lyme borreliosis.

This description comes directly from the study's public registry record.

Nathalie BOULANGER, PUPH  ·  03 69 55 14 49  ·  nathalie.boulanger@chru-strasbourg.fr

Always discuss trial participation with your own doctor first.

Get one email when the public record changes — results posted, or the study's status changes. Nothing else, ever.

We email about this public record only. Unsubscribe anytime with one click. Never medical advice.