Why an integrated approach to tick-borne pathogens is important in the diagnosis of clinical cases
Diagnoses should be more than just a laboratory test result.
The article titled “Why an Integrated Approach to Tick-Borne Pathogens (Bacterial, Viral, and Parasitic) Is Important in the Diagnosis of Clinical Cases” was published in the journal Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases in November 2024. It emphasizes the significance of using a comprehensive diagnostic approach for tick borne diseases, especially given the many pathogens transmitted by ticks.
Ticks are vectors for a wide range of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites. These pathogens can cause a variety of diseases and symptoms in both humans and animals, leading to a broad range of clinical manifestations.
The clinical presentation of tick borne diseases often overlaps with other diseases, making accurate diagnoses difficult to obtain. In addition, co-infections with additional pathogens are common, further complicating the presentation and diagnosis. The article dives into ten pathogens and resulting illnesses that are prevalent in Spain. It details some of their characteristics, including their typical vector host, pathogenic incubation period, and clinical manifestations at various disease stages.
This article advocates for the use of integrated diagnostic methods that combine clinical evaluation with laboratory techniques such as serology and microscopy. This combination approach enhances the accuracy of diagnoses and assists in finding appropriate treatment strategies. The article encourages practitioners to consider the possibility of tick borne diseases in patients with appropriate symptoms, especially those who have a history of tick exposure. It is also recommended that patients who are being tested for one tick borne infection are tested for multiple co-infections simultaneously to advise appropriate treatment. The article acknowledges the limitations of laboratory testing for tick borne diseases, and expresses hope that diagnostic tests will improve to aid the integrated diagnostic approach. Early and accurate diagnoses are critical for effective medical management and prevention of complications that may arise from these diseases.
Citation
Contreras-Ferro, R.; Trueba, J.M.; Sánchez-Mora, P.; Escudero, R.; Sánchez-Seco, M.P.; Montero, E.; Negredo, A.; González, L.M.; Dashti, A.; Llorente, M.T.; et al. Why an Integrated Approach to Tick-Borne Pathogens (Bacterial, Viral, and Parasitic) Is Important in the Diagnosis of Clinical Cases. Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2024, 9, 272. https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed9110272