Lyme borreliosis: a review of data on transmission time after tick attachment

Commentary: There has been considerable debate among scientists regarding the exact time necessary for transmission of Lyme disease after a tick bite. Prior research suggested an attachment time of 48 hours was necessary to transmit Borrelia burgdorferi. An article recently published in the International Journal of Medicine addresses this issue with regard to different species of borrelia and other tick-borne co-infections. “A literature review has determined that in animal models, transmission can occur in < 16 hours, and studies have found systemic infection and the presence of spirochetes in the tick salivary glands prior to feeding, which could result in cases of rapid transmission. A European study documented six cases of culture-confirmed infection where tick attachment was <6 hours. Also, there is evidence that spirochete transmission times and virulence depend upon the tick and Borrelia species". The conclusion of this paper is that "The claims that removal of ticks within 24 hours or 48 hours of attachment will effectively prevent LB are not supported by the published data, and the minimum tick attachment time for transmission of LB in humans has never been established...these factors support anecdotal evidence that Borrelia infection can occur in humans within a short time after tick attachment...therefore LB infection can never be excluded after a tick bite irrespective of the estimated duration of attachment time." Certain viral infections in ticks can be deadly, as is the case with the Powassan virus, which can be transmitted in as little as 15 minutes. Other tick-borne infections may also be rapidly transmitted in ticks that have fed. Tick-borne infections are growing in number and virulence worldwide, and we need a comprehensive global health plan to prevent serious tick-borne illnesses. Expanding educational efforts to our homes, schools, camps and doctors offices, and teaching about ticks and prevention strategies, are important first steps if we are to prevent suffering, disability and keep down rising health care costs. Lyme borreliosis: a review of data on transmission time after tick attachment, PMC US National Library of Medicine