What diseases can ticks transmit? What can a tick bite end?

Lyme disease, also known as Lyme disease (Connecticut, USA) due to the place of first diagnosis, is the most common tick-borne disease in Poland and in the world. It is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria transmitted by a tick that has previously bitten a sick deer, hare or forest rodent, and then a human. A characteristic symptom is skin erythema at the bite site, which tends to enlarge. Untreated Lyme disease can lead to inflammation of the meninges, peripheral nerves, and inflammation of the heart muscle. In addition to symptomatic diagnosis, Lyme disease is also diagnosed with the use of serological tests (determination of IgM and IgB antibodies by enzymatic immunoassay. If the result is additive or doubtful, a Western blot test should be performed), and its effective treatment is possible with antibiotics. In the case of Lyme disease, there is no effective prophylaxis in the form of protective vaccinations. It is important to remove the tick quickly. The risk of bacterial transmission increases significantly when the tick stays in the skin for at least 36 hours. This is due to the fact that Borrelia burgdorferi spirochetes live in the gastrointestinal tract of the tick and are activated after filling its intestines with blood while feeding on the host’s skin. Lyme disease very rarely causes death.

Tick-borne encephalitis is a viral disease of the central nervous system caused by viruses from the Flaviviridae family that are transmitted by ticks. As in the case of Lyme disease, the disease is transmitted to the human bloodstream through the saliva or vomit of a tick that has previously bitten infected forest animals, birds or rodents. Unlike Lyme disease, the TBE virus is transmitted within the first few minutes of suckling because it lives in the salivary glands. For this reason, quick tick removal does not provide effective protection. TBE is diagnosed by measuring IgM antibodies (detected in patients with TBE after about 7-10 days) in blood serum and in the cerebrospinal fluid, and IgG (detected after about 10-14 days) in blood serum and in the cerebrospinal fluid. Usually the disease has two phases. The first one, lasting up to a week, is characterized by flu-like symptoms, general fatigue and a lack of appetite. However, there is no erythema or arthritis. After spontaneous resolution of symptoms, the second phase develops over approximately 2-3 weeks as a severe neuroinfection. In extreme cases, there are sensory disturbances, memory impairment and paresis associated with encephalitis and spinal cord inflammation. Tick-borne encephalitis is only treated symptomatically with drugs that lower intracranial pressure and fever. Vitamins are also given. About 2 percent cases of TBE may be fatal. Patients die mainly due to complications. In this situation, effective prophylaxis in the form of vaccinations is of particular importance. The efficacy of the TBE vaccine is one of the best achieved against viral infection. The overall effectiveness in regularly vaccinated people is 99%. 3 doses are required for a complete vaccination. After the first 2 doses of the primary vaccination, the effectiveness is between 96 and 100%. Then, after 3-5 years, a booster dose is given.

Diseases carried by ticks do not only affect humans. One of them, equally dangerous to animals, is Babesiosis – a blood disease caused by the protozoa of the Babesia family. In the bloodstream, it attacks red blood cells, as a result of which, in extreme cases, the animal dies within a few days. A sick dog loses its appetite, is lethargic, has shortness of breath, vomiting and diarrhea. In humans, Babesiosis is similar in symptoms to malaria. In full-blown cases, blood cells as a result of intravascular haemolysis are characterized by inclusions in the Maltese cross or ring-shaped erythrocytes. Treatment is carried out using, for example, an anti-parasitic drug. People with impaired immunity get sick, for example after removal of the spleen.

Granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA) is a disease formerly known as Ehrlichiosis. It takes its name from the pathogen Anaplasma phagocytophilum that causes it. Anaplasmosis attacks white blood cells first. It manifests itself with fever, headaches and muscle aches. Laboratory tests show a decrease in white blood cells, platelets and an increase in liver enzymes. The disease is dangerous only for people with impaired immunity or with serious chronic diseases.

Tularemia is a dangerous infectious disease caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis, which can be transmitted by ticks. The symptoms of tularemia are enlarged lymph nodes and sometimes sepsis. The disease is treated with antibiotics.