Article
Microbiology
Ji-Ye Seo, Yu-Jung Kim, Seong-Yoon Kim, Hee-Il Lee
Summary: This study investigated tick-borne bacterial pathogens in ticks collected from humans in the Republic of Korea (ROK) in 2021. The results showed that ticks in the ROK carried various pathogens, including Rickettsia, Anaplasma, and Ehrlichia. This study provides important data for understanding the risk of tick contact and developing public health strategies for tick-borne diseases.
Article
Parasitology
Jairo Alfonso Mendoza-Roldan, Giovanni Benelli, Marcos Antonio Bezerra-Santos, Viet-Linh Nguyen, Giuseppe Conte, Roberta Iatta, Tommaso Furlanello, Domenico Otranto
Summary: This study assessed the prevalence and distribution of tick-borne pathogens in clinically suspect dogs from three macro areas in Italy over a 15-year period. The results showed high seroprevalence and wide distribution of the four key pathogens, advocating for integrative control strategies for their prevention.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Review
Microbiology
Carlo Andrea Cossu, Nicola E. Collins, Marinda C. Oosthuizen, Maria Luisa Menandro, Raksha Vasantrai Bhoora, Ilse Vorster, Rudi Cassini, Hein Stoltsz, Melvyn Quan, Henriette van Heerden
Summary: Ticks in Africa remain a major obstacle in the livestock industry due to tick-borne pathogens. This study conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the distribution and prevalence of these pathogens in African ticks. The highest prevalence was found for Rickettsia spp., R. africae, R. conorii, A. marginale, E. ruminantium, and E. canis. The prevalence of C. burnetii was low, but higher for Coxiella spp. and Coxiella-like endosymbionts. The study also identified the effect of tick genera, tick species, country, and other variables on the epidemiology of these pathogens in ticks.
Review
Microbiology
Imran Farooq, Tara J. Moriarty
Summary: Tick-borne infectious diseases can affect various tissues and organs, including bone, which is one of the most multifunctional structures in the human body. Research on the impact of tick-borne pathogens on bones is scarce, with evidence of eight different tick-borne diseases affecting bone. Pathological bone effects commonly associated with tick-borne infections include disruption of bone marrow function and bone loss. Further investigation into this topic is warranted given the preliminary nature of existing research.
Article
Microbiology
Lisa Luu, Ana M. Palomar, Gemma Farrington, Anna-Katarina Schilling, Shonnette Premchand-Branker, John McGarry, Benjamin L. Makepeace, Anna Meredith, Lesley Bell-Sakyi
Summary: Red squirrels in the UK, an endangered species supplanted by grey squirrels, are potentially exposed to a variety of bacterial pathogens via feeding ticks. Further studies are needed to evaluate the threat posed to the vulnerable red squirrel population by Borrelia and other tick-borne pathogens.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Min-Goo Seo, Oh-Deog Kwon, Dongmi Kwak
Summary: This study evaluated the prevalence, risk factors, and coinfections of tick-borne pathogens in ticks parasitizing Korean water deer. The results should increase awareness about the need for continued development of epidemiological control measures and highlight the high infection potential and clinical complexity in humans.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Xin-Ru Wang, Benjamin Cull
Summary: This Mini Review provides an overview of the interactions between tick-borne pathogens and hosts, specifically focusing on the mechanisms of apoptosis and autophagy pathways in tick-borne diseases and the strategies evolved by the pathogens. The article evaluates the limitations of studying these pathways and discusses their involvement in the tick immune system network, while highlighting future research perspectives.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Latifa Elhachimi, Carolien Rogiers, Stijn Casaert, Siham Fellahi, Thomas Van Leeuwen, Wannes Dermauw, Felix Valcarcel, Angeles Sonia Olmeda, Sylvie Daminet, Sarah El Hamiani Khatat, Hamid Sahibi, Luc Duchateau
Summary: Tick-borne pathogens were investigated in cattle in the Rabat-Sale-Kenitra region of Morocco, revealing a high prevalence and diversity of tick species, with Anaplasma/Ehrlichia spp. having the highest infection rate. Risk factors for pathogen abundance included crossbreeds, females, older age, and high tick infestation. Locations with the highest prevalence of tick-borne pathogens were Jorf El Melha, Sidi Yahya Zaer, Ait Ichou, and Arbaoua.
Article
Parasitology
Heidy-Carolina Martinez Diaz, Juliana Gil-Mora, Paola Betancourt-Ruiz, Carlos Ramiro Silva-Ramos, J. Manuel Matiz-Gonzalez, Maria-Alejandra Villalba-Perez, Maria Catalina Ospina-Pinto, Alejandro Ramirez-Hernandez, Luz -Adriana Olaya-M, Eliana Bolanos, Claudia Cuervo, Efrain Benavides, Marylin Hidalgo
Summary: This study aimed to determine the tick species and tick-borne pathogens circulating in rural areas of Cauca department, Colombia. The results showed the presence of various tick species carrying pathogens that are of importance to humans and animals.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Hana Tadesse, Marika Grillini, Giulia Simonato, Alessandra Mondin, Giorgia Dotto, Antonio Frangipane di Regalbono, Bersissa Kumsa, Rudi Cassini, Maria Luisa Menandro
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence of tick-borne pathogens in dogs in low-income tropical countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. The results showed that dogs in Ethiopia carried various tick-borne pathogens, including Hepatozoon canis, Babesia canis rossi, Anaplasma phagocythophilum, Ehrlichia canis, Borrelia spp., and Rickettsia spp. Some of these pathogens, such as Anaplasma phagocythophilum and species of Borrelia and Rickettsia, have zoonotic potential, which calls for further investigation. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the epidemiology of tick-borne pathogens and their impact on human and animal health.
TROPICAL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jing Xue, Qing Ren, Xiu-Li Yang, Jiangli Wang, Guangcheng Xie, Luanying Du, Wen-Ping Guo
Summary: This study found that ticks parasitizing humans in Hebei, China carry 11 human-pathogenic microorganisms, including Rickettsia raoultii, Candidatus Rickettsia tarasevichiae, Babesia venatorum, Borrelia garinii, and Anaplasma ovis. This is the first report of Anaplasma and Babesia species pathogenic to humans in Hebei province. Coinfections, including double and quadruple infections, were also observed. The presence of these tick-borne pathogens in ticks parasitizing humans suggests a potentially high public health risk.
Review
Microbiology
El-Sayed El-Alfy, Ibrahim Abbas, Hanadi B. Baghdadi, Shimaa Abd El-Salam El-Sayed, Shengwei Ji, Mohamed Abdo Rizk
Summary: This study is the first meta-analysis on the molecular epidemiology and species diversity of tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) infecting animals in Egypt. Data from various databases were collected and analyzed to provide insights into parasite epidemiology, species diversity, and the development of prevention and control methods.
Article
Microbiology
Kimberly J. Ledger, Lorenza Beati, Samantha M. Wisely
Summary: This study aimed to describe the occurrence of ticks and tick-borne pathogens in different land use types in southern Africa. Through molecular techniques, 1716 ticks were screened for infection, revealing multiple pathogen species across seven tick species collected. The findings suggest that tick species and the pathogens they carry may vary according to land use, highlighting the importance of comprehensive surveillance in understanding the diversity and ecology of tick-borne pathogens.
Article
Parasitology
Tania Audino, Alessandra Pautasso, Veronica Bellavia, Valerio Carta, Alessio Ferrari, Federica Verna, Carla Grattarola, Barbara Iulini, Maria Domenica Pintore, Mauro Bardelli, Germano Cassina, Laura Tomassone, Simone Peletto, Valeria Blanda, Alessandra Torina, Maria Caramelli, Cristina Casalone, Rosanna Desiato
Summary: This study reported the prevalence of tick bites and tick-borne pathogens documented for humans in Piedmont, northwest Italy during the period of 2017-2019. Most ticks belonged to the genus Ixodes, with Ixodes ricinus being the most common. A subset of 500 ticks collected from at-risk populations showed an overall infection prevalence of 22.8%, with Rickettsia spp., Borrelia spp., and Anaplasma spp. being the main pathogens detected.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Jehan Zeb, Baolin Song, Munsif Ali Khan, Haytham Senbill, Muhammad Umair Aziz, Sabir Hussain, Abdul Waris, Ala E-Tabor, Olivier Andre Sparagano
Summary: This study assessed the genetic diversity and prevalence pattern of vector-/tick-borne pathogens (V/TBPs) in ixodid ticks infesting dogs in Pakistan. The results revealed a diverse array of V/TBPs that pose a potential threat to public and canine health.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Paul D. Kasaija, Marinela Contreras, Fredrick Kabi, Swidiq Mugerwa, Joseba M. Garrido, Christian Gortazar, Jose de la Fuente
Summary: Tick vaccines are crucial for the control of tick infestations and tickborne diseases. A recent study demonstrated the effectiveness of oral vaccination combining Rhipicephalus microplus SUB with heat inactivated Mycobacterium bovis (IV) for the control of cattle tick infestations. In this study, a controlled pen trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of an oral formulation combining R. decoloratus SUB with IV for the control of R. decoloratus and Rhipicephalus appendiculatus cattle tick infestations. The results showed that the SUB + IV formulation effectively controlled tick infestations through the activation of multiple immune mechanisms.
Article
Immunology
Marinela Contreras, Joaquin Vicente, Jose Joaquin Ceron, Silvia Martinez Subiela, Jose Miguel Urra, Francisco J. Rodriguez-del-Rio, Elisa Ferreras-Colino, Rita Vaz-Rodrigues, Isabel G. de Fernandez G. de Mera, Sandra Antunes, Ana Domingos, Christian Gortazar, Jose de la Fuente
Summary: This study identified potential diagnostic, prognostic, and protective antibody binding epitopes for SARS-CoV-2. The results provide new tools for COVID-19 surveillance and risk evaluation in hospitalized patients, as well as potential insights for the development of new vaccines.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mohan Gupta, Roji Raut, Sulochana Manandhar, Ashok Chaudhary, Ujwal Shrestha, Saubhagya Dangol, G. C. Sudarshan, Keshab Raj Budha, Gaurab Karki, Sandra Diaz-Sanchez, Christian Gortazar, Jose de la Fuente, Pragun Rajbhandari, Prajwol Manandhar, Rajindra Napit, Dibesh Karmacharya
Summary: This study aimed to isolate and test potential probiotics bacteria from the cloacal swabs of indigenous chicken breeds in the rural outskirts of Kathmandu valley, Nepal. Four strains of Lactobacillus spp. with potential probiotics properties were identified. Further research is needed to evaluate these strains for use as poultry probiotics feed supplements.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Rita Vaz-Rodrigues, Lorena Mazuecos, Margarita Villar, Jose Miguel Urra, Christian Gortazar, Jose de la Fuente
Summary: The aim of this study was to identify serum protein biomarkers for nutritional status to predict disease symptoms in COVID-19 patients before and after vaccination. Proteomics analysis revealed significant differences in serum proteins between pre-vaccine cohorts, with AGPs, CRP, and RBP increasing with COVID-19 severity, while albumin, TTR, and TF decreased. Immunoassay validated the results for albumin and RBP. In post-vaccine cohorts, the same pattern was observed for AGPs, CRP, albumin, and TTR, but TF levels were similar and RBP showed a slight reduction. Immunoassay validated the results for albumin, TTR, and TF. The study identified serum nutritional biomarkers that could predict COVID-19 prognosis and emphasized the importance of personalized nutrition protocols in managing the disease.
JOURNAL OF FUNCTIONAL FOODS
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Paul D. Kasaija, Marinela Contreras, Halid Kirunda, Ann Nanteza, Fredrick Kabi, Swidiq Mugerwa, Jose de la Fuente
Summary: Anti-tick vaccines have been successfully used in Venezuela to reduce tick populations and tick-borne diseases, but have not been adopted in tropical African countries. This article emphasizes the importance of personalized vaccines and suggests that African governments should invest in research for anti-tick vaccines.
Editorial Material
Immunology
Agustin Estrada-Pena, Jose de la Fuente
Summary: Ticks and tick-borne diseases have a global impact on human and animal health. This study used scientometric analysis to evaluate trends and gaps in anti-tick vaccine research. The analysis revealed the need for new candidates for vaccine development, the lack of participation from African and Asian countries, and the importance of sustained and integrated research.
Article
Microbiology
Jehan Zeb, Baolin Song, Haytham Senbill, Muhammad Umair Aziz, Sabir Hussain, Munsif Ali Khan, Ishtiaq Qadri, Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz, Jose de la Fuente, Olivier Andre Sparagano
Summary: This study provides a comprehensive report on ticks infesting dogs in Pakistan, including the epidemiological and phylogenetic aspects of these ticks. The mitochondrial markers cox1 and 16S rRNA were used for molecular characterization of the tick species. The study identified six tick species infesting dogs, including Hyalomma dromedarii, Hyalomma excavatum, Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l., Rhipicephalus turanicus s.s., Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides, and Rhipicephalus microplus.
Article
Ecology
Alberto Moraga-Fernandez, Pilar Oliva-Vidal, Marta Sanchez-Sanchez, Clara Munoz-Hernandez, Jose Maria Martinez, Antoni Margalida, Jose de la Fuente, Isabel G. Fernandez de Mera
Summary: There is a knowledge gap in the study of Argasidae soft ticks and the pathogens they can transmit. These ticks are widely distributed and are often considered typical bird ectoparasites. Tick-parasitized birds can act as reservoirs of pathogens and also spread these infected ticks to new areas.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jose de la Fuente, Agustin Estrada-Pena, Christian Gortazar, Rita Vaz-Rodrigues, Isabel Sanchez, Juan Carrion Tudela
Summary: This study used a citizen science approach to evaluate the risks associated with Lyme borreliosis (LB) and the implementation of control interventions in Spain. The results showed that factors such as age, gender, tick bites, disease clinical signs, comorbidities, health care services, and treatment effectiveness affect LB. The main conclusion of the study is the need for better surveillance, diagnosis, and treatment of LB and related comorbidities, as well as the development and implementation of new interventions.
VECTOR-BORNE AND ZOONOTIC DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Jose de la Fuente, Lorena Mazuecos, Marinela Contreras
Summary: Ticks and tick-borne diseases are a global threat to human and animal health. Developing vaccines for tick control and pathogen transmission is still a challenge. Only two registered vaccines based on recombinant Bm86/Bm95 antigens have been commercialized for controlling cattle-tick infestations. However, new technologies and approaches are being explored for the development of vaccines and paratransgenic interventions to control tick-borne diseases.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Jose de la Fuente, Agustin Estrada-Pena, Marta Rafael, Consuelo Almazan, Sergio Bermudez, Abdelbaset E. Abdelbaset, Paul D. Kasaija, Fredrick Kabi, Foluke Adedayo Akande, Dorcas Oluwakemi Ajagbe, Timothy Bamgbose, Srikant Ghosh, Azhahianambi Palavesam, Penny H. Hamid, Charlotte L. Oskam, Siobhon L. Egan, Amanda Duarte-Barbosa, Olcay Hekimoglu, Matias P. J. Szabo, Marcelo B. Labruna, Ananta Dahal
Summary: In this comprehensive review study, the challenge posed by ticks and tick-borne diseases (TBDs) with growing incidence affecting global human and animal health was addressed. Data and perspectives from different countries and regions were collected to update the current situation with ticks and TBDs and highlight the existing information bias and gaps perceived by society. The study emphasizes the importance of multidisciplinary and international collaborations in advancing surveillance, communication, and proposed future directions to address these challenges.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Lorena Mazuecos, Almudena Gonzalez-Garcia, Josede de la Fuente
Summary: This article presents a protocol for genetic transformation of Sphingomonas strains and investigates their interactions with Ixodes scapularis ISE6 tick cells during Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection. This method can be used for controlling tick-borne diseases.
Article
Microbiology
Sandra Diaz-Sanchez, Luis M. Hernandez-Triana, Marcelo B. Labruna, Octavio Merino, Juan Mosqueda, Santiago Nava, Matias Szabo, Evelina Tarragona, Jose M. Venzal, Jose de la Fuente, Agustin Estrada-Pena
Summary: This study investigates the variability of mitochondrial and nuclear genes in the population of cattle ticks in the Neotropics. The results show that the genetic diversity does not correlate with geographic distance or environmental factors, which may be due to recent introduction of the tick, frequent population exchange, and minimal effect of climate on gene evolution rates.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Rita Vaz-Rodrigues, Francisco Feo Brito, Raul Guzman Rodriguez, Lorena Mazuecos, Jose de la Fuente
Summary: Objective Vector-borne diseases are a growing burden worldwide, and the risks of allergic reactions associated with arthropods are increasing. The diversity of allergic reactions makes it difficult to diagnose, prognose, and prevent diseases, requiring better surveillance of arthropod populations and disease diagnosis and management.
ANNALS OF MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Rita Vaz-Rodrigues, Lorena Mazuecos, Margarita Villar, Marinela Contreras, Sara Artigas-Jeronimo, Almudena Gonzalez-Garcia, Christian Gorazar, Jose de la Fuente
Summary: This study used a multi-omics approach to investigate the impact of tick saliva and mammalian meat consumption on the gut transcriptome and proteome of zebrafish. The results revealed significant changes in biological and metabolic pathways associated with the alpha-Gal syndrome. Tick saliva treatment was found to increase zebrafish mortality, allergic reactions, and changes in behavior and feeding patterns. The analysis of transcriptomics and proteomics data provided insights into the pathways involved in allergic reactions, cardiac and vascular function, and nervous and musculoskeletal disorders.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2023)
