Childs James E, Paddock Christopher D
Viral and Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch, Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA.
Annu Rev Entomol. 2003;48:307-37. doi: 10.1146/annurev.ento.48.091801.112728. Epub 2002 Jun 4.
Until the 1990s, Amblyomma americanum was regarded primarily as a nuisance species, but a tick of minor importance as a vector of zoonotic pathogens affecting humans. With the recent discoveries of Ehrlichia chaffeensis, Ehrlichia ewingii, and "Borrelia lonestari," the public health relevance of lone star ticks is no longer in question. During the next 25 years, the number of cases of human disease caused by A. americanum-associated pathogens will probably increase. Based on current trajectories and historic precedents, the increase will be primarily driven by biological and environmental factors that alter the geographic distribution and intensity of transmission of zoonotic pathogens. Sociologic and demographic changes that influence the likelihood of highly susceptible humans coming into contact with infected lone star ticks, in addition to advances in diagnostic capabilities and national surveillance efforts, will also contribute to the anticipated increase in the number of recognized cases of disease.
直到20世纪90年代，美洲钝眼蜱主要被视为一种令人讨厌的物种，但作为影响人类的人畜共患病原体的传播媒介，其重要性较低。随着最近查菲埃立克体、尤因埃立克体和“孤独星疏螺旋体”的发现，孤独星蜱对公共卫生的相关性已毋庸置疑。在接下来的25年里，由美洲钝眼蜱相关病原体引起的人类疾病病例数可能会增加。根据当前的趋势和历史先例，这种增加将主要由改变人畜共患病原体地理分布和传播强度的生物和环境因素驱动。除了诊断能力的进步和国家监测工作外，影响高度易感人群接触受感染孤独星蜱可能性的社会和人口变化，也将导致预计的疾病确诊病例数增加。
