Detection of Neoehrlichia mikurensis in 11 persons who attribute their persistent health complaints to a tick-borne disease

IF 3.1 2区医学 Q2 INFECTIOUS DISEASES

Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases Pub Date : 2024-09-11 DOI:10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102391

Audun Olav Dahlberg , Audun Aase , Harald Reiso , Rune Midgard , Hanne Quarsten

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Neoehrlichia mikurensis infections can cause symptomatic disease, particular among immunosuppressed persons. Long-lasting asymptomatic carriage of N. mikurensis may be common in endemic areas. This study explores possible associations between carriage of N. mikurensis DNA and persistent health complaints in persons who attribute their symptoms to a tick-borne disease.

Methods

Eleven persons tested positive for N. mikurensis DNA by PCR in a study cohort of 285 persons reporting persistent health complaints. The 11 persons were tested again in a follow-up sample. Oral doxycycline treatment was given if the confirmatory PCR-test was positive. Treatment response was assessed by telephone interview. Demographics, clinical manifestations, tick exposure, physical health, somatic symptom burden and fatigue were compared to persons with negative N. mikurensis PCR (controls, N = 274).

Results

Six persons had detectable N. mikurensis DNA in a follow-up sample up to 9.5 months after the index sample. Seven persons (one without a positive confirmative test) received doxycycline treatment. Three reported symptom restitution after completed antibiotic treatment. However, their symptoms were not clearly attributed to infection by N. mikurensis. We did not find any significant differences between infected persons and non-infected controls regarding their clinical manifestations and health burdens.

Conclusions

We corroborate previous evidence of long-term carriage of N. mikurensis, but cannot infer that to be causative of persistent health complaints.

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在 11 位将其持续性健康问题归咎于蜱媒疾病的人中检测到米库雷氏新埃希氏菌

背景米库雷氏奈瑟菌（Neoehrlichia mikurensis）感染可引起无症状疾病，尤其是在免疫抑制人群中。在地方病流行地区，N. mikurensis 的长期无症状携带可能很常见。本研究探讨了N. mikurensis DNA携带与将症状归咎于蜱媒疾病的人的持续性健康投诉之间可能存在的关联。方法在一个由285名报告持续性健康投诉的人组成的研究队列中，有7人的N. mikurensis DNA通过PCR检测呈阳性。这 11 人在后续样本中再次接受了检测。如果 PCR 检测结果呈阳性，则给予口服多西环素治疗。治疗反应通过电话访谈进行评估。将人口统计学、临床表现、蜱虫接触、身体健康、躯体症状负担和疲劳情况与 N. mikurensis PCR 阴性患者（对照组，N = 274）进行了比较。七人（一人确证检测结果为阳性）接受了强力霉素治疗。其中三人在完成抗生素治疗后症状有所缓解。然而，他们的症状并不能明确归因于米库雷氏菌感染。我们没有发现感染者与未感染者在临床表现和健康负担方面有任何显著差异。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases INFECTIOUS DISEASES-MICROBIOLOGY

CiteScore

6.90

自引率

12.50%

发文量

185

审稿时长

6-12 weeks

期刊介绍： Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases is an international, peer-reviewed scientific journal. It publishes original research papers, short communications, state-of-the-art mini-reviews, letters to the editor, clinical-case studies, announcements of pertinent international meetings, and editorials. The journal covers a broad spectrum and brings together various disciplines, for example, zoology, microbiology, molecular biology, genetics, mathematical modelling, veterinary and human medicine. Multidisciplinary approaches and the use of conventional and novel methods/methodologies (in the field and in the laboratory) are crucial for deeper understanding of the natural processes and human behaviour/activities that result in human or animal diseases and in economic effects of ticks and tick-borne pathogens. Such understanding is essential for management of tick populations and tick-borne diseases in an effective and environmentally acceptable manner.