Serology for Borrelia spp. in Northwest Italy: A Climate-Matched 10-Year Trend

Ticks are hematophagous parasites that can transmit a variety of human pathogens, and their life cycle is dependent on several climatic factors for development and survival. We conducted a study in Piedmont and Aosta Valley, Italy, between 2009 and 2018. The study matched human sample serologies for Borrelia spp. with publicly available climatic and meteorological data. A total of 12,928 serological immunofluorescence assays (IFA) and Western blot (WB) tests were analysed. The median number of IFA and WB tests per year was 1236 (range 700-1997), with the highest demand in autumn 2018 (N = 289). In the study period, positive WB showed an increasing trend, peaking in 2018 for both IgM (N = 97) and IgG (N = 61). These results were consistent with a regional climatic variation trending towards an increase in both temperature and humidity. Our results suggest that coupling data from epidemiology and the environment, and the use of a one health approach, may provide a powerful tool in understanding disease transmission and strengthen collaboration between specialists in the era of climate instability.

Automated summary

The study conducted in Piedmont and Aosta Valley, Italy from 2009 to 2018 analyzed the transmission of Lyme disease by ticks. The results showed a yearly increase in positive Western blot tests, consistent with a trend of rising temperatures and humidity.