Article
Microbiology
Lourdes Mateos-Hernandez, Natalia Pipova, Eleonore Allain, Celine Henry, Clotilde Rouxel, Anne-Claire Lagree, Nadia Haddad, Henri-Jean Boulouis, James J. Valdes, Pilar Alberdi, Jose de la Fuente, Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz, Ladislav Simo
Summary: Neuropeptides are small signaling molecules expressed in the tick central nervous system, with the Ixodes scapularis ISE6 cell line being an effective tool for studying tick-pathogen interactions. This study identified and validated six neuropeptide genes in ISE6 cells, with a focus on tachykinin-related peptide (TRP) expression in response to Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection. The presence and localization of TRP in both ISE6 cells and synganglion suggest its potential role in tick physiology and interactions with tick-borne pathogens, paving the way for further in vivo experiments.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Juraj Koci, Sandhya Bista, Payal Chirania, Xiuli Yang, Chrysoula Kitsou, Vipin Singh Rana, Ozlem Buyuktanir Yas, Daniel E. Sonenshine, Utpal Pal
Summary: I. scapularis ticks produce multiple orthologs for the widely studied tick gut protein Bm86, termed as Is86, which features at least three identifiable regions with EGF-like domains. Immunization with specific recombinant EGF antigens in murine hosts marginally reduced spirochete loads in the skin during B. burgdorferi infection, but the impact of EGF immunization on tick engorgement and pathogen survival in the vector is limited. Further investigations of Is86 and other tick antigens would enrich our understanding of tick biology and contribute to the development of anti-tick measures.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Vikas Taank, Frank A. Lattanzio, Hameeda Sultana, Girish Neelakanta
Summary: This study reports the presence of two anuses in a laboratory-reared I. scapularis nymph, confirming the rare occurrence of double anus in this species.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jonathan D. Oliver, Lisa D. Price, Nicole Y. Burkhardt, Chan C. Heu, Benedict S. Khoo, Cody J. Thorpe, Timothy J. Kurtti, Ulrike G. Munderloh
Summary: This study describes the growth of symbiotic Rickettsia buchneri in Ixodes scapularis ticks throughout their life cycle and provides methods for eliminating R. buchneri from the ticks using ciprofloxacin antibiotics through injection or membrane feeding. These methods were effective in clearing the bacteria from most offspring of exposed females.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Chantal B. F. Vogels, Doug E. Brackney, Alan P. Dupuis Ii, Rebecca M. Robich, Joseph R. Fauver, Anderson F. Brito, Scott C. Williams, John F. Anderson, Charles B. Lubelczyk, Rachel E. Lange, Melissa A. Prusinski, Laura D. Kramer, Jody L. Gangloff-Kaufmann, Laura B. Goodman, Guy Baele, Robert P. Smith, Philip M. Armstrong, Alexander T. Ciota, Simon Dellicour, Nathan D. Grubaugh
Summary: This study investigated the transmission patterns and ecology of Powassan virus, an emerging tick-borne virus. It was found that the virus is mainly transmitted by ticks and has a highly focal geographical distribution. The study also revealed a slowing down of virus spread in recent years, possibly due to the expansion of white-tailed deer and Ixodes scapularis tick populations.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Biology
Xiaotian Tang, Yongguo Cao, Gunjan Arora, Jesse Hwang, Andaleeb Sajid, Courtney L. Brown, Sameet Mehta, Alejandro Marin-Lopez, Yu-Min Chuang, Ming-Jie Wu, Hongwei Ma, Utpal Pal, Sukanya Narasimhan, Erol Fikrig
Summary: This study identified that ticks carry an adiponectin receptor-like protein (ISARL) but lack adiponectin, suggesting activation by alternative pathways. The ISARL signaling may be co-opted by the Lyme disease agent, as its expression is significantly upregulated in the tick gut after Borrelia burgdorferi infection.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Johanna Strobl, Verena Muendler, Sophie Mueller, Anna Gindl, Sara Berent, Anna-Margarita Schoetta, Lisa Kleissl, Clement Staud, Anna Redl, Luisa Unterluggauer, Ana E. Aguilar Gonzalez, Sophie T. Weninger, Denise Atzmueller, Romana Klasinc, Gerold Stanek, Mateusz Markowicz, Hannes Stockinger, Georg Stary
Summary: This study evaluated the immunological consequences of tick feeding on human skin and developed a human skin explant model to simulate tick bites and tick-borne pathogen infection. The results showed rapid patterns of immunomodulation upon tick attachment, as well as strain-specific immune responses and close relationships between macrophages and spirochetes. The study also found that preincubation of spirochetes with tick salivary gland extracts inhibited immune cell accumulation and increased spirochete loads.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Brittany A. Armstrong, Kevin S. Brandt, Irina Goodrich, Robert D. Gilmore
Summary: This study evaluated the response of different mouse strains and pathogen strains to B. miyamotoi infection and found that there is no mouse model that can fully mimic the infection. These findings underscore the challenges in establishing an experimental B. miyamotoi infection model.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Eric Kontowicz, Grant Brown, James Torner, Margaret Carrel, Kelly K. Baker, Christine A. Petersen
Summary: Lyme disease is the most reported vector-borne disease in the United States, with a focus on the Northeast and upper Midwest regions. Current federal surveillance strategies lead to reporting lags, making it challenging for public health agencies to assess and plan for the disease burden. This study developed nowcasting models using Google Trends and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, providing a means for accurate monitoring and decision-making regarding Lyme disease burden.
Article
Parasitology
Joe Prullage, Anthony Pfefferkorn, Martin Knaus, Justin Frost, Elizabeth Mitchell, Eric Tielemans
Summary: The study evaluated the efficacy of a novel formulation of esafoxolaner, eprinomectin, and praziquantel against experimental infestations of Ixodes ricinus and Ixodes scapularis in cats, showing strong evidence of sustained high efficacy for at least one month post-treatment.
Review
Entomology
Lucy Gilbert
Summary: Ticks are widespread and carry pathogens, impacting by climate change; tick-borne disease systems are complex with diverse drivers, modeling can help understand changes; future research should focus on assessing the resilience of ticks and tick-borne pathogens to climate change.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF ENTOMOLOGY, VOL 66, 2021
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Julie Lewis, Andrea M. Kirby, Kami Dawn Harris, Cory L. Filiaggi, Alexandra Foley-Eby, Malcolm Mann, David Lieske, Vett K. Lloyd
Summary: This study investigated the distribution of ticks and B. burgdorferi infection prevalence in three Canadian Maritime provinces from 2012-2020 using a community science approach. Results showed that I. scapularis was the most common tick species, with the highest infection rate in Nova Scotia. The primary hosts were dogs, cats, and humans. Over the course of the study, tick recoveries increased in New Brunswick, with a general increase in Borrelia infection prevalence in the province.
Review
Immunology
Jannelle Couret, Samantha Schofield, Sukanya Narasimhan
Summary: This review focuses on environmental factors that influence tick biology and tick-pathogen interactions, highlighting the impact of temperature, humidity, and environmental microbiota on tick parasitism and the transmission of tick-borne diseases.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Keith J. Price, Christine B. Graham, Bryn J. Witmier, Holly A. Chapman, Brooke L. Coder, Christian N. Boyer, Erik Foster, Sarah E. Maes, Ying Bai, Rebecca J. Eisen, Andrew D. Kyle
Summary: Ticks of Haemaphysalis longicornis collected from southeastern Pennsylvania were tested for pathogens, with 1 adult female testing positive for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, resulting in an infection rate of 0.4%. It is crucial to continue monitoring this invasive tick species to assess its impact on public health.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Benjamin Cull, Nicole Y. Burkhardt, Xin-Ru Wang, Cody J. Thorpe, Jonathan D. Oliver, Timothy J. Kurtti, Ulrike G. Munderloh
Summary: This study found that the endosymbiont Rickettsia buchneri in ticks can inhibit the infection and replication of tick-borne pathogens. The presence of R. buchneri was observed to reduce the growth of R. parkeri by a significant percentage in tick cells. This research suggests a potential role of R. buchneri in preventing other rickettsiae from colonizing ticks and being transmitted transovarially, which could have important implications for understanding rickettsial competition and vector competence.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Adele S. O. Chavez, Anya J. O'Neal, Laura Santambrogio, Michail Kotsyfakis, Joao H. F. Pedra
JOURNAL OF CELL SCIENCE
(2019)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Adela S. Oliva Chavez, Michael J. Herron, Curtis M. Nelson, Roderick F. Felsheim, Jonathan D. Oliver, Nicole Y. Burkhardt, Timothy J. Kurtti, Ulrike G. Munderloh
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2019)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Austin Rau, Claudia Munoz-Zanzi, Anna M. Schotthoefer, Jonathan D. Oliver, Jesse D. Berman
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2020)
Review
Entomology
Danilo G. Quadros, Tammi L. Johnson, Travis R. Whitney, Jonathan D. Oliver, Adela S. Oliva Chavez
Review
Environmental Sciences
Michael Pham, Jacob Underwood, Adela S. Oliva Chavez
Summary: Ticks are obligatory hematophagous parasites that transmit a wide range of pathogens, including those causing Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis. They secrete pharmacologically active molecules in their saliva to counteract host defense mechanisms and create a conducive environment for pathogen transmission. These bioactive molecules in tick saliva may be manipulated by tick-transmitted pathogens to enhance their survival and evasion of host defenses.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Xin-Ru Wang, Nicole Y. Burkhardt, Timothy J. Kurtti, Jonathan D. Oliver, Lisa D. Price, Benjamin Cull, Cody J. Thorpe, Michalina Silva Thiel, Ulrike G. Munderloh
Summary: This study reveals that apoptosis plays a crucial role in rickettsial infection and replication in tick cells, with no direct correlation between apoptosis activation and rickettsial pathogenicity in vector cells. These findings provide insights into the mechanisms of how apoptosis facilitates rickettsial infection in arthropod vectors, contributing to the potential discovery of targets for new vaccines and drugs against rickettsial infections.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Adela S. Oliva Chavez, Xiaowei Wang, Liron Marnin, Nathan K. Archer, Holly L. Hammond, Erin E. McClure Carroll, Dana K. Shaw, Brenden G. Tully, Amanda D. Buskirk, Shelby L. Ford, L. Rainer Butler, Preeti Shahi, Kateryna Morozova, Cristina C. Clement, Lauren Lawres, Anya J. O' Neal, Choukri Ben Mamoun, Kathleen L. Mason, Brandi E. Hobbs, Glen A. Scoles, Eileen M. Barry, Daniel E. Sonenshine, Utpal Pal, Jesus G. Valenzuela, Marcelo B. Sztein, Marcela F. Pasetti, Michael L. Levin, Michail Kotsyfakis, Steven M. Jay, Jason F. Huntley, Lloyd S. Miller, Laura Santambrogio, Joao H. F. Pedra
Summary: Extracellular vesicles play a role in the transmission of pathogens from arthropods to hosts, with different types of tick-derived vesicles promoting or mitigating bacterial infection outcomes by influencing skin immunity.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Editorial Material
Immunology
Jason M. Park, Adela S. Oliva Chavez, Dana K. Shaw
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Vanessa M. Ante, Lauren C. Farris, Elizabeth P. Saputra, Allie J. Hall, Nathaniel S. O'Bier, Adela S. Oliva Chavez, Richard T. Marconi, Meghan C. Lybecker, Jenny A. Hyde
Summary: Borrelia burgdorferi responds to environmental signals by regulating gene expression through the cyaB gene, which is specifically induced in mammalian cells, influencing virulence regulation and infectivity. Deletion of cyaB results in decreased expression of virulence factors and reduced colonization during infection in mammalian hosts.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kalin M. Skinner, Jacob Underwood, Arnab Ghosh, Adela S. Oliva Chavez, Corey L. Brelsfoard
Summary: This study explores the specific interactions between members of tick bacterial microbiota, host cells, and pathogens. The introduction of Wolbachia infection into tick cells increases replication of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, but the infection is eventually lost with serial passage. The study also examines the impact of Wolbachia infection on host-cell immune responses. These findings highlight the importance of studying tick microbiota, host cells, and pathogens in developing novel approaches for tick-borne disease control.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sadia Salim Khan, Haroon Ahmed, Muhammad Sohail Afzal, Mobushir Riaz Khan, Richard J. Birtles, Jonathan D. Oliver
Summary: This study aimed to identify tick species and their distribution on different livestock hosts. The findings showed variations in tick infestation rates among different breeds of cattle, sheep, goats, and buffalo, and the infestation rate was influenced by season, age, and gender of the host.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Brenda Leal-Galvan, Cristina Harvey, Donald Thomas, Perot Saelao, Adela S. Oliva Chavez
Summary: Ticks are important vectors of pathogens and their saliva contains microRNAs (miRNAs) that can modulate immune responses and enhance pathogen transmission. This study aims to develop a method to isolate miRNAs from purified extracellular vesicles produced by ex vivo tick organ cultures, but the roles and profiles of miRNAs in tick salivary vesicles and glands are still poorly understood.
JOVE-JOURNAL OF VISUALIZED EXPERIMENTS
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Geoffrey E. Lynn, Nicole E. Breuner, Andrias Hojgaard, Jonathan Oliver, Lars Eisen, Rebecca J. Eisen
Summary: Borrelia miyamotoi is a spirochete bacterium transmitted by ticks. It can be transmitted vertically or horizontally, with transovarial transmission being the primary source of infected ticks. This research emphasizes the importance of targeting adult female ticks in the prevention and control strategies for this disease.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jonathan D. Oliver, Lisa D. Price, Nicole Y. Burkhardt, Chan C. Heu, Benedict S. Khoo, Cody J. Thorpe, Timothy J. Kurtti, Ulrike G. Munderloh
Summary: This study describes the growth of symbiotic Rickettsia buchneri in Ixodes scapularis ticks throughout their life cycle and provides methods for eliminating R. buchneri from the ticks using ciprofloxacin antibiotics through injection or membrane feeding. These methods were effective in clearing the bacteria from most offspring of exposed females.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
