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Wiener klinische Wochenschrift2012; 124(17-18); 611-617; doi: 10.1007/s00508-012-0217-y

Contact with horses is a risk factor for tick-borne lymphadenopathy (TIBOLA): a case control study.

Abstract: Tick-borne lymphadenopathy (TIBOLA) is an emerging infection caused by Rickettsia slovaca. We describe here the seasonal, age and gender characteristics as well as the association with horse contact as risk factors for acquiring TIBOLA in comparison with another, more frequent tick-borne disease, Lyme borreliosis.We analysed a dataset of 855 patients diagnosed with either Lyme (n = 805) or TIBOLA (n = 50) disease using Fisher's exact tests and generalized linear models. Then we performed a matched case-control study in which all TIBOLA patients were paired with one Lyme patient matching in age and gender. We identified the species of ticks collected from the TIBOLA patients (n = 16).We found that horse contact was significantly more frequent among TIBOLA (34/50; 68 %) than among Lyme patients (110/805; 13.7 %) (OR = 13.35, p < 0.001). The younger age and female gender associated with higher risk of acquiring TIBOLA (OR = 3.99, p < 0.001). Ten of the 16 ticks were D. marginatus, six were D. reticulatus suggesting that both species are responsible for transmitting R. slovaca. Two patients acquired the infection from male ticks. TIBOLA is a tick-borne zoonosis, which might have a specific association with horse contact.
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Publication Date: 2012-08-10 PubMed ID: 22878792DOI: 10.1007/s00508-012-0217-yGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This study investigates the connection between human contact with horses and a higher risk of developing tick-borne lymphadenopathy (TIBOLA), a certain type of infection caused by the Rickettsia slovaca bacterium, comparing its incidence with that of Lyme disease.

Research methodology

  • The researchers analyzed information from 855 patients who were diagnosed with either Lyme disease or TIBOLA.
  • Data from the patients were analysed using statistical methods such as Fisher’s exact tests and generalized linear models.
  • A case-control study was implemented, where each patient with TIBOLA (n = 50) was paired with a Lyme disease patient of the same age and gender for comparative analysis.
  • The research team identified the species of ticks responsible for TIBOLA by examining 16 ticks collected from patients.

Main findings

  • The study found that contact with horses was significantly more common among TIBOLA patients (68%) compared to Lyme disease patients (13.7%). In fact, being in contact with horses increased the probability of contracting TIBOLA by over 13 times.
  • Younger individuals and females were observed to have a higher risk of acquiring TIBOLA. Specifically, their odds of contracting the disease were almost 4 times higher than the others.
  • The researchers identified two ticks species – D. marginatus and D. reticulatus – as probable transmitters of the Rickettsia slovaca bacterium that causes TIBOLA. Two cases were also noted in which infection occurred through male ticks.
  • The implication is that TIBOLA is a zoonosis (diseases that humans can get from animals) that might have a specific association with interaction with horses.

Conclusion

  • The researchers concluded that interaction with horses significantly increases the risk of encountering ticks carrying the Rickettsia slovaca bacterium which leads to TIBOLA.
  • Younger age and female gender are other key factors that elevate the risk of getting this infection. This research provides a base for preventive measures like avoiding unnecessary exposure to horses especially among younger females.

Cite This Article

APA
Lakos A, Kőrösi A, Földvári G. (2012). Contact with horses is a risk factor for tick-borne lymphadenopathy (TIBOLA): a case control study. Wien Klin Wochenschr, 124(17-18), 611-617. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00508-012-0217-y

Publication

Wiener klinische Wochenschrift
ISSN: 1613-7671
NlmUniqueID: 21620870R
Country: Austria
Language: English
Volume: 124
Issue: 17-18
Pages: 611-617

Researcher Affiliations

Lakos, András
  • Centre for Tick-Borne Diseases, Budapest, Visegrádi 14, 1132, Budapest, Hungary. alakos@t-online.hu
Kőrösi, Adám
    Földvári, Gábor

      MeSH Terms

      • Adolescent
      • Adult
      • Aged
      • Aged, 80 and over
      • Animals
      • Case-Control Studies
      • Child
      • Child, Preschool
      • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / epidemiology
      • Contact Tracing / statistics & numerical data
      • Female
      • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
      • Horses
      • Humans
      • Hungary / epidemiology
      • Infant
      • Infant, Newborn
      • Lymphatic Diseases / epidemiology
      • Male
      • Middle Aged
      • Prevalence
      • Rickettsia Infections / epidemiology
      • Risk Factors
      • Young Adult

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      Citations

      This article has been cited 9 times.
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