The Troublesome Ticks Research Protocol: Developing a Comprehensive, Multidiscipline Research Plan for Investigating Human Tick-Associated Disease in Australia

Amanda D.  Barbosa; Michelle  Long; Wenna Lee; Jill M.  Austen; Mike  Cunneen; Andrew  Ratchford; Brian  Burns; Prasad  Kumarasinghe; Rym  Ben-Othman; Tobias R.  Kollmann; Cameron R.  Stewart; Miles  Beaman; Rhys  Parry; Roy  Hall; Ala  Tabor; Justine  O’Donovan; Helen Faddy; Marjorie  Collins; Stephen R Graves; Charlotte L.  Oskam; Allen C.  Cheng; John  Stenos; Una M.  Ryan; Peter J Irwin

doi:10.3390/pathogens11111290

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The Troublesome Ticks Research Protocol: Developing a Comprehensive, Multidiscipline Research Plan for Investigating Human Tick-Associated Disease in Australia

Journal article

Open access

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The Troublesome Ticks Research Protocol: Developing a Comprehensive, Multidiscipline Research Plan for Investigating Human Tick-Associated Disease in Australia

Amanda D. Barbosa, Michelle Long, Wenna Lee, Jill M. Austen, Mike Cunneen, Andrew Ratchford, Brian Burns, Prasad Kumarasinghe, Rym Ben-Othman, Tobias R. Kollmann, …

Pathogens, Vol.11, pp.1-26

2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens11111290

PMCID: PMC9694322

PMID: 36365042

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Abstract

DSCATT

Lyme disease-like illness

biomarkers

tick-borne disease

tick-borne infection

ticks

In Australia, there is a paucity of data about the extent and impact of zoonotic tick related illnesses. Even less is understood about a multifaceted illness referred to as Debilitating Symptom Complexes Attributed to Ticks (DSCATT). Here, we describe a research plan for investigating the aetiology, pathophysiology, and clinical outcomes of human tick associated disease in Australia. Our approach focuses on the transmission of potential pathogens and the immunological responses of the patient after a tick bite. The protocol is strengthened by prospective data collection, the recruitment of two external matched control groups, and sophisticated integrative data analysis which, collectively, will allow the robust demonstration of associations between a tick bite and the development of clinical and pathological abnormalities. Various laboratory analyses are performed including metagenomics to investigate the potential transmission of bacteria, protozoa and/or viruses during tick bite. In addition, multi omics technology is applied to investigate links between host immune responses and potential infectious and non-infectious disease causations. Psychometric profiling is also used to investigate whether psychological attributes influence symptom development. This research will fill important knowledge gaps about tick-borne diseases. Ultimately, we hope the results will promote improved diagnostic outcomes, and inform the safe management and treatment of patients bitten by ticks in Australia.

Details

Title: The Troublesome Ticks Research Protocol: Developing a Comprehensive, Multidiscipline Research Plan for Investigating Human Tick-Associated Disease in Australia
Authors: Amanda D. Barbosa (Corresponding Author) - Murdoch University
Michelle Long (Author) - Geelong Hospital
Wenna Lee (Author) - Murdoch University
Jill M. Austen (Author) - Murdoch University
Mike Cunneen (Author) - The App Workshop Pty Ltd. (Perth, Australia)
Andrew Ratchford (Author) - Macquarie University
Brian Burns (Author) - The University of Sydney
Prasad Kumarasinghe (Author) - The University of Western Australia
Rym Ben-Othman (Author) - The Kids Research Institute Australia
Tobias R. Kollmann (Author) - The Kids Research Institute Australia
Cameron R. Stewart (Author) - Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness
Miles Beaman (Author) - The University of Western Australia
Rhys Parry (Author) - The University of Queensland
Roy Hall (Author) - The University of Queensland
Ala Tabor (Author) - The University of Queensland
Justine O’Donovan (Author) - Australian Red Cross Lifeblood
Helen Faddy (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
Marjorie Collins (Author) - Murdoch University
Stephen R Graves (Author) - Geelong Hospital
Charlotte L. Oskam (Author) - Murdoch University
Allen C. Cheng (Author) - Monash University
John Stenos (Author) - Geelong Hospital
Una M. Ryan (Author) - Murdoch University
Peter J Irwin (Author) - Murdoch University
Publication details: Pathogens, Vol.11, pp.1-26
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date published: 2022
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11111290
ISSN: 2076-0817
PMID: 36365042; PMC9694322
Copyright note: © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ 4.0/).
Grant note: National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) (APP1169949)
Organisation Unit: School of Health - Biomedicine; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99687998502621
Output Type: Journal article

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Web Of Science research areas: Microbiology

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