Ticks are blood-sucking arthropods that feed on vertebrate hosts. Although wild and domestic animals are the primary source of tick blood meals, humans can be an accidental host. During a blood meal, a microorganism can be transmitted to the host who can develop a disease. All infectious diseases transmitted by ticks are referred to as tick-borne diseases (TBDs). They are the most prevalent vector-borne diseases in the Northern Hemisphere. Among these diseases, Lyme borreliosis is the most common.
In Europe, Lyme borreliosis does not cause high fevers (\> 38°C). Therefore, when a patient presents with a high fever with the notion of exposure to ticks, another etiology must be suspected. Anaplasma phagocytophilum and the tick-borne encephalitis virus are classically described as causing febrile syndromes.
In France, ticks and tick-borne diseases are increasing, particularly those associated with the Ixodes ricinus tick. This tick is mainly present in forest ecosystems with a peak of activity in May. Foresters represent a population with biting ticks and tick-borne diseases, notably Lyme borreliosis.
Major forester (≥18 years old)
Male or female gender
ONF (National Forestry Office) staff
Regularly exposed to ticks in Alsace (exclusively)
Refusal to participate in the study
Major forester (≥18 years old), ONF (National Forestry Office) staff regularly exposed to ticks in Alsace.
Cohort
Prospective
Not listed
Number of ticks found on clothing during activities in forest ecosystems, and if tick bites, their number.
This study is carried out on foresters in the Alsacce region over a period of one year.
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