Vaz-Rodrigues Rita, Rafael Marta, Carniato Davide, de la Fuente José
SaBio. Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ciudad Real, Spain.
Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
Ann Med. 2025 Dec;57(1):2499028. doi: 10.1080/07853890.2025.2499028. Epub 2025 May 3.
Tick bites and tick-borne diseases (TBDs) are a worldwide concern, with growing evidence of an ongoing spread and emergence of new cases. This study applied a participatory citizen science across Spain and Portugal to gather public perspectives on the impact of tick bites, the presence of TBDs and a potential connection with the α-Gal syndrome (AGS).
Data collected from the questionnaire (380 participants) was geographically represented using QGIS Geographic Information System and fitted into multiple generalized linear models (GLMs). Statistical analysis identified factors influencing the occurrence of local skin reactions post-tick bite, AGS-compatible symptoms and visits to health centers following tick exposure.
Results showed that the probability of developing localized skin reactions to tick bites rises with increasing age ( = 0.006, < 0.05), the occurrence of multiple bites ( = 0.006, = 0.063) and among individuals bitten in the center-north part of the peninsula ( = 0.006, = 0.058). Seeking medical care following tick bite was reported by 21.6% of respondents, being more common in first-time bite cases ( = 0.002, p < 0.01), men ( = 0.002, < 0.01) or individuals presenting localized skin symptoms ( = 0.002, < 0.05). Although 38 inquiries (10.0%) showed signs of AGS, only 3 had received a formal diagnosis, with the odds of developing this disease marginally rising with advancing age ( = 0.215, = 0.066).
This study provides valuable insights that should be considered to improve TBDs surveillance and diagnostic strategies, as well as developing preventive measures to reduce tick bite exposure and TBD cases.Developing local skin reactions to tick bites increases with age, multiple bites and in individuals bitten in central-northern Iberia.Seeking medical care following a tick bite is more common in first-time bite cases, men or individuals with local skin symptoms.Although 38 inquiries (10.0%) showed signs of AGS, only 3 were formally diagnosed, with risk increasing with age.
蜱虫叮咬和蜱传疾病（TBDs）是一个全球性问题，越来越多的证据表明其正在持续传播且新病例不断出现。本研究在西班牙和葡萄牙应用了参与式公民科学，以收集公众对蜱虫叮咬的影响、TBDs的存在以及与α-半乳糖综合征（AGS）潜在联系的看法。
使用QGIS地理信息系统对从问卷中收集的数据（380名参与者）进行地理呈现，并将其纳入多个广义线性模型（GLMs）。统计分析确定了影响蜱虫叮咬后局部皮肤反应的发生、AGS兼容症状以及蜱虫暴露后前往健康中心就诊的因素。
结果显示，蜱虫叮咬后出现局部皮肤反应的概率随着年龄增长而上升（ = 0.006， < 0.05），多次叮咬的情况（ = 0.006， = 0.063）以及在半岛中北部被叮咬的个体中（ = 0.006， = 0.058）。21.6%的受访者报告在蜱虫叮咬后寻求医疗护理，在首次叮咬病例中更常见（ = 0.002，p < 0.01），男性中更常见（ = 0.002， < 0.01）或出现局部皮肤症状的个体中更常见（ = 0.002， < 0.05）。尽管38次询问（10.0%）显示有AGS迹象，但只有3人得到了正式诊断，患这种疾病的几率随着年龄增长略有上升（ = 0.215， = 0.066）。
本研究提供了有价值的见解，应予以考虑以改进TBDs监测和诊断策略，以及制定预防措施以减少蜱虫叮咬暴露和TBD病例。蜱虫叮咬后出现局部皮肤反应随着年龄、多次叮咬以及在伊比利亚半岛中北部被叮咬的个体而增加。蜱虫叮咬后寻求医疗护理在首次叮咬病例、男性或有局部皮肤症状的个体中更常见。尽管38次询问（10.0%）显示有AGS迹象，但只有3人得到正式诊断，风险随着年龄增加。
