Article
Microbiology
Carita S. Ribeiro-Silva, Elen R. Muniz, Valesca H. Lima, Cintia C. Bernardo, Walquiria Arruda, Rosane N. Castro, Patricia S. Golo, Isabele C. Angelo, Everton K. K. Fernandes
Summary: The chemical composition of tick cuticles, specifically the neutral lipids and hydrocarbons, acts as a barrier to pathogens and protects against fungal infections by inhibiting fungal growth and conidial germination.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Oriel Thekisoe, Tsepo Ramatla, Aron Ringo, Sifiso Mnisi, Nthabiseng Mphuthi, Lehlohonolo Mofokeng, Kgaugelo Lekota, Xuenan Xuan
Summary: This study determined the occurrence of Rickettsia africae in Amblyomma hebraeum ticks infecting livestock in the North West Province of South Africa. It was found that Rickettsia africae was present in 48% of cattle, 40% of sheep, and 32% of goats. Although the animals did not exhibit clinical symptoms, Rickettsia africae is still recognized as having significant zoonotic potential.
RESEARCH IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Kellee D. Sundstrom, Megan W. Lineberry, Amber N. Grant, Kathryn T. Duncan, Michelle M. Ientile, Susan E. Little
Summary: This study reveals that common ticks on horses in North America show preferences for attachment sites and infest horses in Oklahoma throughout the year, including during the winter months. More research is needed to fully understand the health risks posed by these infestations on equine health.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Sifiso S. Mnisi, Malekoba B. N. Mphuthi, Tsepo Ramatla, Lehlohonolo S. Mofokeng, Oriel Thekisoe, Michelo Syakalima
Summary: This study investigated the occurrence of E. ruminantium and its genetic diversity in ticks within Ngaka Modiri Molema district of North West Province in South Africa. The study found a significant diversity of E. ruminantium infecting ticks in the study area, with the commonly used variant for vaccination not detected.
Article
Parasitology
Alec T. Thompson, Seth A. White, Emily E. Doub, Prisha Sharma, Kenna Frierson, Kristen Dominguez, David Shaw, Dustin Weaver, Stacey L. Vigil, Denise L. Bonilla, Mark G. Ruder, Michael J. Yabsley
Summary: This study surveyed ticks collected from animals in 23 different states in the eastern USA, with the primary goal of better characterizing the distribution and host associations of the exotic tick H. longicornis. New distribution data on tick species of veterinary or medical importance were also obtained.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ronel Pienaar, Daniel G. de Klerk, Minique H. de Castro, Jonathan Featherston, Ben J. Mans
Summary: Ticks secrete proteins in their saliva that modulate host inflammation, immune responses, haemostasis or may cause paralysis during feeding. RNA next generation sequencing technologies reveal complex dynamics of tick salivary glands, with different functional classes of proteins showing differential expression during feeding in both genders. The transcriptome data contributes to understanding salivary gland biology and blood feeding physiology of non-model organisms.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Rohit Sharma, Duncan W. Cozens, Philip M. Armstrong, Douglas E. Brackney
Summary: The study shows that non-Ixodes tick species can effectively acquire POWV II by feeding on viremic hosts, maintain infection through molting, and successfully transmit the virus to naive hosts at comparable rates across all three species.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Nathalia Xavier Da Silva, Thomas Salles Dias, Julia Alves Vignoli, Leandro Dos Santos Machado, Erich Loza Telleria, Virginia Leo De Almeida Pereira, Elmiro Rosendo Do Nascimento, Nathalie Costa Da Cunha
Summary: This study detected and characterized Mollicutes microorganisms in ticks from Brazil using molecular techniques. Spiroplasma spp. were found in the tick samples, highlighting the need for further research on the epidemiology, virulence, and pathogenicity of these microorganisms.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Ratree Takhampunya, Jira Sakolvaree, Nitima Chanarat, Nittayaphon Youngdech, Kritsawan Phonjatturas, Sommai Promsathaporn, Bousaraporn Tippayachai, Wirunya Tachavarong, Kanchit Srinoppawan, Betty K. Poole-Smith, P. Wesley McCardle, Suwanna Chaorattanakawee
Summary: Ticks in Khao Yai National Park in Thailand were found to be infected with pathogenic bacteria at varying rates, with different genera showing distinct infection patterns. Co-infection was detected in female ticks, primarily between Rickettsia spp. and Anaplasmataceae. Ticks carrying the Coxiella-like endosymbiont were more likely to be infected with Ehrlichia spp. or Rickettsia spp. compared to those without, particularly for Ehrlichia spp. detection.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Parasitology
Barbara Cristina Felix Nogueira, Artur Kanadani Campos, Sebastian Munoz-Leal, Adriano Pinter, Thiago Fernandes Martins
Summary: Records of accidental parasitism by ticks in humans are scarce in Brazil, mainly reported by researchers and professionals. A literature review was conducted including studies published from 1909 to 2022. The study identified nine species in the Argasidae family and 32 species in the Ixodidae family that have been reported biting humans in Brazilian biomes. The species with the highest number of parasitism records was Amblyomma sculptum. The Atlantic Forest was the most frequent biome where human parasitism occurred. Several species known for transmitting pathogens were also reported.
Review
Parasitology
Meriam N. Saleh, Kelly E. Allen, Megan W. Lineberry, Susan E. Little, Mason Reichard
Summary: This article summarizes the common ticks infesting dogs and cats in North America, including their life histories, morphologies, and feeding behaviors. It also highlights the changes in geographic distribution and the risks of tick-borne diseases for pets. Understanding the natural history of ticks and the maintenance cycles responsible for infections is crucial in combating the health challenges posed by ticks.
VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Andrew J. Rosendale, Ryan K. Leonard, Isaac W. Patterson, Thomas Arya, Melissa R. Uhran, Joshua B. Benoit
Summary: This study investigated the effects of rapid cold hardening (RCH) on gene expression and metabolism during recovery from cold stress in the American dog tick. The results showed that after recovery from RCH, 1860 genes were differentially expressed in ticks, while only 99 genes responded during recovery from direct cold shock. The accumulation of certain metabolites corresponded to transcriptional shifts in the pathways associated with these molecules, suggesting congruent metabolome and transcriptome changes.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Olaf Kahl, Daniel Kaemmer, Ingrid Bulling, Martin Komorek, Christof von Eiff, Claudius Malerczyk
Summary: Ixodes ricinus is the most common tick species in Germany and large parts of Europe and poses a potential risk to players and visitors on football grounds. The study found that ticks are frequently found near football grounds, especially those close to forests or parks, and sometimes in high abundance. This highlights the importance of tick control measures in these areas to reduce the risk of tick-borne diseases.
EXPERIMENTAL AND APPLIED ACAROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Allergy
Tatenda Murangi, Prema Prakash, Bernardo Pereira Moreira, Wisdom Basera, Maresa Botha, Stephen Cunningham, Heidi Facey-Thomas, Ali Halajian, Lokesh Joshi, Jordache Ramjith, Franco H. Falcone, William Horsnell, Michael E. Levin
Summary: This study investigated the presence and localization of alpha-gal-containing proteins in ticks and parasites, and found that the concentration of alpha-gal in Ascaris lumbricoides was higher than that in ticks. Additionally, the study showed that non-alpha-gal proteins from Ascaris lumbricoides were able to activate basophils in the presence of serum from individuals with alpha-gal syndrome, suggesting a potential role of Ascaris lumbricoides in alpha-gal sensitization and clinical reactivity.
JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Barbara Cristina Felix Nogueira, Liara de Azevedo Cassiano, Thiago Fernandes Martins, Ricardo Seiti Yamatogi, Romulo Ribon, Artur Kanadani Campos
Summary: This study investigated the diversity of ticks parasitizing birds in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest and examined the molecular detection of Rickettsia spp. in these ticks. The seasonal distribution of tick populations and their correlation with temperature were observed. About 25.44% of the evaluated tick samples tested positive for Rickettsia spp., showing high nucleotide identity with several Rickettsia species. The potential for tick dispersal by birds and the zoonotic potential of certain Rickettsia species are concerning in this widely-visited study area.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Harold Salant, Yaarit Nachum-Biala, Doni Zivotofsky, Tsachi Even Tzur, Gad Baneth
Summary: This study describes the presentation, clinical signs, parasitemia levels, laboratory findings and treatment of dogs infected with B. negevi. Treatment with imidocarb dipropionate was helpful for recovery from clinical disease but did not facilitate parasite elimination, and it is therefore recommended to treat canine B. negevi infection with the combination of atovaquone and azithromycin.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2024)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Gervillien Arnold Malonga, Almoustapha Issiaka Maiga, Dimitry Moudiongui Mboungou Malanda, Mahamadou Saliou, Juth ece Private Malanda-Kiminou, Oumar Dolo, Anicet Luc Magloire Boumba, Alhassane Ba, Robert Murphy, Jean Felix Peko, Anne-Genevieve Marcelin, Vincent Calvez, Stephane Marot
Summary: A serological survey in sub-urban areas of the capital cities of Congo and Mali reveals human contact with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) associated with previously described CCHFV risk factors.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2024)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Aleksander Wymazal, Sabina Nowak, Robert W. Myslajek, Anna Bajer, Renata Welc-Faleciak, Maciej Szewczyk, Iga Kwiatkowska, Kinga M. Stepniak, Michal Figura, Agnieszka Kloch
Summary: The wolf population in Central and Eastern Europe has been increasing, but their frequent contacts with humans make them a potential zoonotic reservoir. This study found a high prevalence of tick-borne pathogens in free-ranging wolves from Poland.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2024)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Nannet D. Fabri, Hans Heesterbeek, Joris P. G. M. Cromsigt, Frauke Ecke, Hein Sprong, Lonneke Nijhuis, Tim R. Hofmeester, Nienke Hartemink
Summary: In many parts of the northern hemisphere, different species of deer, small mammals, and birds coexist and their composition can strongly influence the outbreak potential of tick-borne pathogens. This study investigates how the abundance and composition of vertebrate communities affect the basic reproduction number R0 of tick-borne pathogens, and shows that species composition plays a substantial role in the outbreak potential of tick-borne diseases.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2024)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Lynn M. Osikowicz, Maria R. Rizzo, Andrias Hojgaard, Sarah E. Maes, Rebecca J. Eisen
Summary: This article describes the prevalence and diversity of Lyme disease in the United States. By using different detection methods, the authors found various species of spirochetes present in specific tick species, revealing the potential transmission of pathogens among ticks.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2024)
Review
Infectious Diseases
El-Sayed El-Alfy, Ibrahim Abbas, Somaya Saleh, Rana Elseadawy, Ragab M. Fereig, Mohamed Abdo Rizk, Xuenan Xuan
Summary: Published data on tick-borne pathogens in camels worldwide have been collected, providing an overview of their global prevalence and species diversity. Evidence of natural infection of camels with certain tick-borne pathogens is limited, particularly because most of the camels were considered healthy at the time of sampling. More research is needed to understand the role of camels in maintaining and transmitting these pathogens.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2024)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Saana Sipari, Mikko Kiljunen, Minna Nylund, Eva R. Kallio
Summary: This study introduces a stable isotope analysis method to directly identify tick breeding hosts by sampling field collected larvae. The results show that stable isotope signatures can reflect the diet of the breeding host of the mother tick.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2024)
