Tickborne Diseases Abroad
African Tick Bite Fever (ATBF)
Agent
Rickettsia africae
African tick bite fever (ATBF) is the most commonly diagnosed rickettsial disease among returning international travelers. ATBF is transmitted by Amblyomma hebraeum and A. variegatum ticks. Travel-associated cases of ATBF often occur in clusters with exposure during activities such as safari tours, game hunting, and bush hiking.
Where Found
Sub-Saharan Africa, Caribbean (French West Indies), and Oceania
Incubation Period
Typically 5–7 days but may be as long as 10 days
Signs and Symptoms
ATBF is typically a mild-to-moderate disease; no known deaths are attributable to infection with R. africae. ATBF is almost always associated with an inoculation eschar (see R. parkeri rickettsiosis) at the site of tick attachment. Multiple eschars are described in approximately 20–50% of patients with ATBF. Several days after eschar(s) appear, the following can develop:
- Fever
- Headache
- Myalgia
- Regional lymphadenopathy
- Rash (generalized with maculopapular or vesicular eruptions)
General Laboratory Findings
- Similar to other Rickettsia, see R. parkeri rickettsiosis.
Laboratory Diagnosis
Confirmation of the diagnosis is based on laboratory testing, but antibiotic treatment should not be delayed pending laboratory confirmation.
- ATBF can be confirmed using IFA or detection of Rickettsial DNA by PCR of eschar swab, skin biopsy, or whole blood. See R.parkeri rickettsiosis.
- ATBF can be confirmed by comparing acute and convalescent (taken 4–6 weeks following illness onset) samples for evidence of seroconversion in IgG antibodies.
Treatment
See RMSF treatment.
Lyme Disease (Europe and Asia)
Agent
Borrelia afzelii, B. garinii, B. burgdorferi sensu stricto
Outside North America, Lyme disease is transmitted through the bite of infected Ixodes ricinus and I. persulcatus ticks.
Where Found
In Europe, endemic from southern Scandinavia into the northern Mediterranean countries of Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Greece and east from the British Isles into central Russia. Incidence is highest in Central and Eastern European countries. In Asia, infected ticks occur from western Russia through Mongolia, northeastern China, and Japan; however, human infection appears to be uncommon in most of these areas.
Incubation Period
3–30 days
Signs and Symptoms
In contrast to North America, Lyme disease can be caused by several different species of B. burgdorferi and may have somewhat different symptoms. The erythema migrans rash (EM) may last longer but have less associated inflammation than the EM produced by U.S. strains.
Laboratory Confirmation
Antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato species that cause infection outside the United States may not be reliably detected by all tests used for Lyme disease in the United States. Providers who suspect internationally-acquired Lyme disease should use diagnostic tests that have been validated for these species.
Treatment
Tickborne Encephalitis (TBE)
Agent
Tick-borne encephalitis virus
TBE is transmitted through the bite of infected Ixodes ricinus and I. persulcatus ticks.
Where Found
Endemic in focal areas of Europe and Asia, extending from eastern France to northern Japan and from northern Russia to Albania. The highest disease incidence has been reported from western Siberia, Slovenia, and the Baltic States. Asian countries with reported cases or virus activity include China, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, and South Korea. TBE may also be acquired by ingestion of unpasteurized dairy products from infected goats, sheep, or cows.
Incubation Period
8 days (range, 4–28 days)
Signs and Symptoms
TBE disease often presents with mild illness but can follow a more severe, biphasic course:
- First phase: nonspecific febrile illness with headache, myalgia, and fatigue. Usually lasts for several days and may be followed by an afebrile and relatively asymptomatic period. Up to two-thirds of patients recover without any further illness.
- Second phase: central nervous system involvement resulting in aseptic meningitis, encephalitis, or myelitis. Findings include meningeal signs, altered mental status, cognitive dysfunction, ataxia, rigidity, seizures, tremors, cranial nerve palsies, and limb paresis.
Laboratory Confirmation
During the first phase of the illness, TBE virus or viral RNA can sometimes be detected in serum samples by virus isolation or RT-PCR. However, by the time neurologic symptoms are recognized, the virus or viral RNA is usually undetectable. Therefore, virus isolation and RT-PCR should not be used to rule out a diagnosis of TBE. Clinicians should contact their state or local health department, CDC’s Division of Vector-Borne Diseases (970-221-6400), or CDC’s Viral Special Pathogens Branch (404-639-1115) for assistance with diagnostic testing.
Treatment
There is no specific antiviral treatment for TBE; therapy consists of supportive care and management of complications.
Selected Travel-Associated Tickborne Infections
| DISEASE & ETIOLOGIC AGENT(S) | GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION AND ADDITIONAL RISK FACTORS |
|---|---|
| Mediterranean spotted fever (also known as boutonneuse fever) |
Europe (Mediterranean basin), Middle East, Indian subcontinent, and Africa. Caused by Rickettsia conorii, symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, eschar (usually single), and rash. It is typically a moderately severe illness, and can be fatal. |
| Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever CCHF virus |
Asia, Africa, and Europe. May also be acquired by contact with infected blood or saliva or inhalation of infected aerosols. |
| Omsk hemorrhagic fever Omsk hemorrhagic fever virus |
Southwestern Russia. May also be acquired by direct contact with infected muskrats. |
| Kyasanur Forest disease | Southern India, Saudi Arabia (aka Alkhurma disease in Saudi Arabia). Typically associated with exposure while harvesting forest products. |
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Diagnosis and management of tickborne rickettsial diseases: Rocky Mountain spotted fever and other spotted fever group rickettsioses, ehrlichioses, and anaplasmosis—United States: a practical guide for health care and public health professionals. MMWR 2016;65 (No.RR-2).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Brunette GW, Kozarsky PE, Cohen NJ, et al. CDC Health Information for International Travel 2016 (Yellow Book). New York, NY: Oxford University Press; 2016.
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Tick-borne diseases.External
Fournier PE, Jensenius M, Laferl H, et al. Kinetics of antibody responses in Rickettsia africae and Rickettsia conorii infections. Clin Diag Lab Immunol 2002;9(2):324-328.
Goodman JL, Dennis DT, Sonenshine DE, editors. Tick-borne diseases of humans. Washington, DC: ASM Press; 2005.
Jensenius M, Fournier PE, Kelly P, et al. African tick bite fever. Lancet Infect Dis 2003;3(9):557-564.
Parola P, Paddock CD, Socolovschi C, et al. Update on tick-borne rickettsioses around the world: a geographic approach. Clin Microbiol Rev 2013;26(4):657-702.