Original Article

Consideration of Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases during Differential Diagnosis

Authors: Steven T. Peper, PhD, Adam C. Jones, PhD, Cynthia Reinoso Webb, PhD, Mark Lacy, MD, Steven M. Presley, PhD

Abstract

Objective: Recognition and reporting of vector-borne and zoonotic disease (VBZD) cases is largely dependent upon the consideration of such diseases by healthcare practitioners during the initial diagnosis and ordering of specific confirmative diagnostic tests. This study was conducted to assess the general knowledge and understanding of VBZD transmission and clinical presentation.

Methods: Healthcare practitioners were surveyed to determine the extent of training and educational experiences they received relative to VBZDs, and their likelihood to consider such diseases during differential diagnoses. In addition, an assessment of their knowledge of arthropod species that may transmit VBZD pathogens was conducted.

Results: Having postprofessional school training relevant to VBZDs significantly influenced diagnostic accuracy for such disease cases based on the presented clinical signs and symptoms.

Conclusions: The prevalence of VBZDs in the United States likely is significantly underestimated. The authors suggest the enhancement of VBZD-focused education as an important initiative that would significantly improve timely diagnosis, treatment, and, ultimately, prevention of these diseases.
Posted in: Infectious Disease143

Full Article

Having trouble viewing the article content below? Click here to open it directly.

Images

Download Image

Download Image

Download Image

Download Image

References

1. Rosenberg R, Lindsey NP, Fischer M, et al. Vital signs: trends in reported vectorborne disease cases—United States and territories, 2004–2016. Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2018;67:496–501.
 
2. World Health Organization. A global brief on vector-borne diseases. https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-health-day/2014/global-brief/en. Published 2014. Accessed March 11, 2021.
 
3. Cleaveland S, Laurenson MK, Taylor LH. Diseases of humans and their domestic mammals: pathogen characteristics, host range and the risk of emergence. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B 2001;356:991–999.
 
4. Hay SI, Battle KE, Pigott DM, et al. Global mapping of infectious disease. Phil Trans R Soc B 2013;368:1–11.
 
5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases: Our Work, Our Stories 2011–2012. https://www.cdc.gov/ncezid/pdf/annual-report.pdf. Published 2013. Accessed March 11, 2021.
 
6. Lindsey NP, Staples JE. Surveillance for human West Nile virus disease—United States, 1999-2008. MMWR CDC Surveill Summ 2010;59(SS-2):1–7.
 
7. American Public Health Association. Control of Communicable Diseases Manual, 20th ed., Heyman DL, ed. Washington DC: APHA Press; 2014.
 
8. Mostashari F, Bunning ML, Kitsutani PT, et al. Epidemic West Nile encephalitis, New York, 1999: results of a household-based seroepidemiological survey. Lancet 2001;358:261–264.
 
9. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Tickborne disease surveillance data summary. https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/data-summary/index.html. Accessed February 1, 2019.
 
10. Coyle BS, Strickland GT, Liang YY, et al. The public health impact of Lyme disease in Maryland. J Infect Dis 1996;173:1260–1262.
 
11. Meek JI, Roberts CL, Smith EV Jr, et al. Underreporting of Lyme disease by Connecticut physicians, 1992. J Public Health Manag Pract 1996;2:61–65.
 
12. Aucott JN, Seifter A. Misdiagnosis of early Lyme disease as the summer flu. Orthop Rev 2011;3:65–68.
 
13. Barber LM, Schleier JJ III, Peterson RKD. Economic cost analysis of West Nile virus outbreak, Sacramento County, California, USA, 2005. Emerg Infect Dis 2010;16:480–486.
 
14. Belognia EA, Reed KD, Mitchell PD, et al. Tickborne infections as a cause of nonspecific febrile illness in Wisconsin. Clin Infect Dis 2001;32:1434–1439.
 
15. Kilpatrick AM, Pape WJ. Predicting human West Nile virus infections with mosquito surveillance data. Am J Epidemiol 2013;178:829–835.
 
16. Day J, Shroyer D. Disease surveillance, outbreaks, and control in Florida. In: Florida Mosquito Control: The State of the Mission as Defined by Mosquito Controllers, Regulators, and Environmental Managers, Connelly CR, Carlson DB, eds. Vero Beach, FL: University of Florida Press; 2009.