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Pathogens
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Host-Vector-Pathogen Relationships: One-Health Approach to Vector-Borne Diseases
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Host-Vector-Pathogen Relationships: One-Health Approach to Vector-Borne Diseases

A special issue of Pathogens (ISSN 2076-0817). This special issue belongs to the section "Ticks".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2024) | Viewed by 24164

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Małgorzata Dmitryjuk

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury: Olsztyn, Warmia and Mazury, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
Interests: tick-borne pathogen; molecular detection
Dr. Katarzyna Kubiak

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Medical Biology, Collegium Medicum, School of Public Health, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Zolnierska 14c, 10-561 Olsztyn, Poland
Interests: tick biology; tick-borne microorganisms; tick-borne diseases; molecular detection and genetic diversity of pathogens; endosymbionts in ticks
Prof. Dr. Olivier Sparagano

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
Interests: veterinary parasitology; vector-borne pathogens; mites; ticks; flies; animal health diseases; veterinary education
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Ticks are vectors of multiple pathogens due to their interactions with several different vertebrate hosts during their life cycle. Ticks are believed to transmit the broadest spectrum of infectious agents than any other blood-feeding vector. Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) that can afflict humans include Lyme borreliosis, babesiosis, tularemia, tick-borne encephalitis, human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA), neoehrlichiosis, or rickettsiosis. This microbial community can influence the acquisition, transmission, and virulence of human pathogens. Furthermore, as ticks feed for extended periods, they interact with their vertebrate hosts and have the ability to suppress the host’s immune system by dampening down the immune response and binding up antibodies that the host might have made in an attempt to rid itself of these blood-sucking parasites. As a response to microbial challenge, ticks have the ability to produce an impressive humoral and cellular response. The immune response of the ticks is manipulated by microorganisms, and different pathogens use similar mechanisms to facilitate their transmission and multiplication. Ticks have the capacity to recognize microorganisms and to express various antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). In ticks, AMPs form the first line of defense against pathogens in the innate immune response. AMPs may be the key to the vector competency of ticks and are considered promising candidates for the development of novel anti-infective agents. In ticks, AMPs form the first line of defense against pathogens in the innate immune response. To understand the mechanisms of microbe survival in ticks, it is relevant to deepen our knowledge about antimicrobial peptides as well as other things. Study results may be useful for developing knowledge about the insufficiently examined immune systems of the ticks and may result in developing knowledge about the effective control of tick-borne diseases in the future.

In addition to the constraints related to their diagnosis and clinical management, the control and prevention of tick-borne diseases is often difficult because it requires the disruption of a complex transmission chain that involves the vertebrate hosts and ticks that interact in a constantly changing environment. The expansion in tick populations has led to an increased risk of infection for humans and animals with both established tick-borne agents and new-emerging ones, creating a serious "One Health" problem. Given the dynamic interface among people, animals, and the environment a “One Health” approach recognizes the need for veterinarians, human doctors, and scientists to work together.

This Special Issue aims to collect original research and/or review papers concerning any aspects related to new-emerging and established tick-borne pathogens and diseases, tick–pathogen relationships, and the importance of a One-Health approach to tick-borne diseases.

Dr. Małgorzata Dmitryjuk
Dr. Katarzyna Kubiak
Prof. Dr. Olivier Sparagano
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pathogens is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • ticks
  • vectors
  • new-emerging tick-borne disease/pathogens
  • tick-borne diseases (TBDs)
  • tick–pathogen relationships
  • immune response
  • antimicrobial peptides (AMPs)
  • one health

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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31 pages, 5275 KiB  
Article
A One Health Perspective on the Resurgence of Flea-Borne Typhus in Texas in the 21st Century: Part 1: The Bacteria, the Cat Flea, Urbanization, and Climate Change
by Gregory M. Anstead
Pathogens 2025, 14(2), 154; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14020154 - 5 Feb 2025
Viewed by 1153
Abstract
Flea-borne typhus (FBT), due to Rickettsia typhi and R. felis, is an infection typically causing fever, headache, rash, hepatitis, and thrombocytopenia. About one quarter of patients suffer pulmonary, neurologic, hematologic, renal, hepatic, cardiac, ocular or other complications. In the 21st century, the [...] Read more.
Flea-borne typhus (FBT), due to Rickettsia typhi and R. felis, is an infection typically causing fever, headache, rash, hepatitis, and thrombocytopenia. About one quarter of patients suffer pulmonary, neurologic, hematologic, renal, hepatic, cardiac, ocular or other complications. In the 21st century, the incidence of FBT has increased in both Texas and California compared to the 1990s. In this paper, county-level epidemiological data for the number of cases of FBT occurring in Texas for two decades, 1990–1999 and 2010–2019, were compared with respect to county of residence, urbanization, and climatic region. Human population growth in Texas has promoted FBT by increased urbanization and the abundance of pet dogs and cats, stray/feral dogs and cats, and opossums. Increasing temperatures in Texas in the new millennium have increased the flea-borne transmission of FBT by promoting host infestation and flea feeding and defecation, accelerating the flea life cycle, and increasing rickettsial replication within the flea. Increased numbers of opossums and stray cats and dogs in the urban/suburban landscape have increased the risk of flea transfer to humans and their pets. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Host-Vector-Pathogen Relationships: One-Health Approach to Vector-Borne Diseases)
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11 pages, 1525 KiB  
Article
A Novel Strain of Orientia tsutsugamushi Detected from Chiggers (Acari: Trombiculidae) on Wild Rodents
by Hak Seon Lee, Seong Yoon Kim and Hee Il Lee
Pathogens 2025, 14(1), 29; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14010029 - 3 Jan 2025
Viewed by 956
Abstract
Scrub typhus is caused by intracellular bacteria belonging to the genus Orientia. Until 2010, the endemic region was thought to be restricted to the Asia–Pacific region. Orientia species have recently been discovered in South America, Africa, Europe, and North America. In accordance [...] Read more.
Scrub typhus is caused by intracellular bacteria belonging to the genus Orientia. Until 2010, the endemic region was thought to be restricted to the Asia–Pacific region. Orientia species have recently been discovered in South America, Africa, Europe, and North America. In accordance with these circumstances, we tried to find new or novel bacterial strains in the Republic of Korea (ROK). We found that a new strain of O. tsutsugamushi formed a unique clade based on a 56-kDa type-specific antigen gene and showed 63.2–77.8% similarity to other strains of the same species. Additionally, we identified another sequence with 99.8% similarity to the O3 strain, which has not been recorded in the ROK and whose pathogenicity remains unknown. These findings confirm the diversity of O. tsutsugamushi strains in the ROK, and highlight the need for continued surveillance and further studies to characterize the pathogenicity of this novel bacterial strain. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Host-Vector-Pathogen Relationships: One-Health Approach to Vector-Borne Diseases)
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14 pages, 1794 KiB  
Article
A Participatory Approach in Assessing the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices (KAP) of Stakeholders and Livestock Owners about Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases from Sindh, Pakistan
by Mahvish Rajput, Muhammad Sohail Sajid, Muhammad Imran, Muhammad Tariq Javed and Olivier Andre Sparagano
Pathogens 2023, 12(6), 800; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12060800 - 3 Jun 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2856
Abstract
Ticks and tick-borne diseases (TTBDs) are responsible for significant losses in terms of treatment costs, decreased productivity (such as milk and meat), reduced reproductive ability, and financial crisis to livestock owners. In Pakistan, it is crucial to periodically assess the risk of TTBDs [...] Read more.
Ticks and tick-borne diseases (TTBDs) are responsible for significant losses in terms of treatment costs, decreased productivity (such as milk and meat), reduced reproductive ability, and financial crisis to livestock owners. In Pakistan, it is crucial to periodically assess the risk of TTBDs and ecological factors, potential causes of acaricidal resistance in tick fauna, and the intensive increase in the spread of TTBDs. Participatory epidemiological approaches are key to assessing the livestock owners’ and stakeholders’ knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) about TTBDs. The current study determined the KAP about ticks and tick-borne diseases of respondents from Sindh, Pakistan. A total of 240 respondents were interviewed from different ecological zones: among them, 42.5% (n = 102) of the respondents practiced the manual removal of ticks from animals, while acaricide usage was indicated by 137 respondents (57.0%) as occurring sometimes, 50 (20.8%) monthly, 41 (17.0%) fortnightly, and 12 (5%) weekly, during the peak infestation season. Ticks were 2.6 times [OR = 2.5 (95% Cl = 1.47–4.06)] and viruses were 1.89 times [OR = 188 (95% Cl = 1.09–2.9)] more likely to cause the development of disease in animals than any other pathogen. Despite the appropriate usage of acaricides, the knowledge of participants was inadequate. The findings of this study emphasize the need to take into account identified knowledge gaps and to take the initiative in carrying out appropriate education activities and extension programs to enhance the adoption of effective tick prevention and control strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Host-Vector-Pathogen Relationships: One-Health Approach to Vector-Borne Diseases)
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10 pages, 1033 KiB  
Article
Neoehrlichia mikurensis—A New Emerging Tick-Borne Pathogen in North-Eastern Poland?
by Magdalena Szczotko, Katarzyna Kubiak, Mirosław Mariusz Michalski, Leonardo Moerbeck, Sandra Antunes, Ana Domingos and Małgorzata Dmitryjuk
Pathogens 2023, 12(2), 307; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12020307 - 12 Feb 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3085
Abstract
Neoehrlichia mikurensis is a new emerging tick-borne Gram-negative bacterium, belonging to the family Anaplasmataceae, the main vector of which in Europe is the tick Ixodes ricinus. N. mikurensis is responsible for neoehrlichiosis, occurring mostly in patients with underlying diseases. In the present [...] Read more.
Neoehrlichia mikurensis is a new emerging tick-borne Gram-negative bacterium, belonging to the family Anaplasmataceae, the main vector of which in Europe is the tick Ixodes ricinus. N. mikurensis is responsible for neoehrlichiosis, occurring mostly in patients with underlying diseases. In the present study, a total of 348 I. ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus ticks collected in north-eastern Poland were analyzed for the prevalence of N. mikurensis. A total of 140 questing ticks (124 of I. ricinus ticks and 16 D. reticulatus) collected with the flagging method and 208 ticks (105 and 103 I. ricinus and D. reticulatus, respectively) removed from dogs were selected for the study. cDNA (questing ticks) and total DNA (questing and feeding ticks) were analyzed by qPCR targeting the 16S rRNA gene of N. mikurensis. Positive samples were further analyzed by nested PCR and sequencing. The prevalence differed between ticks collected from vegetation (19.3%; 27/140) and ticks removed from dogs (6.7%; 14/208). The presence of the pathogen in questing and feeding D. reticulatus ticks was proven in Poland for the first time. In summary, our research showed that infections of ticks of both the most common tick species I. ricinus and D. reticulatus in north-eastern Poland are present and ticks collected from urban areas were more often infected than ticks from suburban and natural areas. The detection of N. mikurensis in I. ricinus and D. reticulatus ticks from north-eastern Poland indicates potential transmission risk for tick-bitten humans at this latitude. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Host-Vector-Pathogen Relationships: One-Health Approach to Vector-Borne Diseases)
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15 pages, 1253 KiB  
Case Report
A One Health Zoonotic Vector Borne Infectious Disease Family Outbreak Investigation
by Edward B. Breitschwerdt, Ricardo G. Maggi, Charlotte O. Moore, Cynthia Robveille, Rosalie Greenberg and Emily Kingston
Pathogens 2025, 14(2), 110; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14020110 - 23 Jan 2025
Viewed by 7147
Abstract
This study reinforces the value of a One Health approach to infectious disease outbreak investigations. After the onset of neuropsychiatric symptoms in their son, our investigation focused on a family composed of a mother, father, two daughters, the son, two dogs, and a [...] Read more.
This study reinforces the value of a One Health approach to infectious disease outbreak investigations. After the onset of neuropsychiatric symptoms in their son, our investigation focused on a family composed of a mother, father, two daughters, the son, two dogs, and a rabbit, all with exposures to vectors (fleas and ticks), rescued dogs, and other animals. Between 2020 and 2022, all family members experienced illnesses that included neurological symptoms. Prolonged menorrhagia (130d) in the youngest daughter ultimately resolved following antibiotic administration. One dog was diagnosed with a splenic hematoma and months later spinal histiocytic sarcoma. The father, both daughters, and one dog were seroreactive to multiple Bartonella spp. antigens, whereas the mother and son were not seroreactive. Bartonella quintana DNA was amplified from specimens obtained from all family members. Based upon DNA sequencing, infection with B. quintana was confirmed for the mother and both pet dogs. Bartonella henselae DNA was amplified and sequenced from the youngest daughter, the son, and one dog (co-infected with B. quintana), and from Ctenocephalides felis collected from their pet rabbit. All five family members and one dog were infected with Babesia divergens-like MO-1. Both parents were co-infected with Babesia microti. Droplet digital PCR supported potential infection with a Borrelia species in three family members. This study provided additional case-based evidence supporting the role of stealth Babesia, Bartonella, and Borrelia pathogens as a cause or cofactor in neurological and neuropsychiatric symptoms. We conclude that a One Health investigation approach, particularly for stealth vector borne pathogens such as Babesia, Bartonella, and Borrelia spp., will enhance clinical and epidemiological understanding of these organisms for animal and human health. During outbreak investigations it is critical to document travel and vector exposure histories, symptoms, and pathology in pets and human patients, contact with rescued, wild, or feral animals and perform diagnostic testing that includes family members, pets, and vectors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Host-Vector-Pathogen Relationships: One-Health Approach to Vector-Borne Diseases)
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16 pages, 833 KiB  
Systematic Review
Mosquitoes, Lymphatic Filariasis, and Public Health: A Systematic Review of Anopheles and Aedes Surveillance Strategies
by Arumugam Bhuvaneswari, Ananganallur Nagarajan Shriram, Kishan Hari K. Raju and Ashwani Kumar
Pathogens 2023, 12(12), 1406; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12121406 - 29 Nov 2023
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3211
Abstract
Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) affects over 120 million people in 72 countries, with sub-periodic filariasis common in the Pacific. Wuchereria bancrofti has three physiological races, each with a unique microfilarial periodicity, and each race is isolated to a specific geographical region. Sub-periodic W. [...] Read more.
Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) affects over 120 million people in 72 countries, with sub-periodic filariasis common in the Pacific. Wuchereria bancrofti has three physiological races, each with a unique microfilarial periodicity, and each race is isolated to a specific geographical region. Sub-periodic W. bancrofti is transmitted by various Aedes mosquito species, with Aedes polynesiensis and Aedes samoanus being the primary vectors in Samoa. The Aedes scutellaris and Aedes kochi groups are also important vectors in the South Pacific Islands. Anopheles species are important vectors of filariasis in rural areas of Asia and Africa. The Anopheles gambiae complex, Anopheles funestus, and the Anopheles punctulatus group are the most important vectors of W. bancrofti. These vectors exhibit indoor nocturnal biting behaviour and breed in a variety of habitats, including freshwater, saltwater, and temporary water bodies. Effective vector surveillance is central to LF control and elimination programs. However, the traditional Human Landing Collection (HLC) method, while valuable, poses ethical concerns and risks to collectors. Therefore, this review critically analyses alternative trapping tools for Aedes and Anopheles vectors in LF-endemic regions. We looked at 14 research publications that discussed W. bancrofti vector trapping methods. Pyrethrum Spray Catches (PSC), one of the seven traps studied for Anopheles LF vectors, was revealed to be the second most effective strategy after HLC, successfully catching Anopheles vectors in Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, and Burkina Faso. The PSC method has several drawbacks, such as the likelihood of overlooking exophilic mosquitoes or underestimating Anopheles populations. However, exit traps offered hope for capturing exophilic mosquitoes. Anopheles populations could also be sampled using the Anopheles Gravid Trap (AGT). In contrast, the effectiveness of the Double Net Traps (DNT) and the CDC Light Trap (CDC LT) varied. Gravid mosquito traps like the OviArt Gravid Trap (AGT) were shown to be useful tools for identifying endophilic and exophilic vectors during the exploration of novel collection techniques. The Stealth trap (ST) was suggested for sampling Anopheles mosquitoes, although specimen damage may make it difficult to identify the species. Although it needs more confirmation, the Ifakara Tent Trap C design (ITT-C) showed potential for outdoor mosquito sampling in Tanzania. Furvela tent traps successfully captured a variety of Anopheles species and are appropriate for use in a variety of eco-epidemiological settings. By contrast, for Aedes LF vectors, no specific sampling tool was identified for Aedes niveus, necessitating further research and development. However, traps like the Duplex cone trap, Resting Bucket Trap (RB), and Sticky Resting Bucket trap (SRB) proved effective for sampling Aedes albopictus, offering potential alternatives to HLC. This review emphasises the value of looking into alternative trapping methods for Aedes and Anopheles vectors in the LF-endemic region. Further research is required to determine the efficacy of novel collection techniques in various contexts, even if PSC and AGT show promise for sampling Anopheles vectors. The identified traps, along with ongoing research, provide valuable contributions to vector surveillance efforts in LF-endemic regions, enabling LF control and elimination strategies to advance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Host-Vector-Pathogen Relationships: One-Health Approach to Vector-Borne Diseases)
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13 pages, 1621 KiB  
Opinion
One Health Approach to Identify Research Needs on Rhipicephalus microplus Ticks in the Americas
by Agustín Estrada-Peña, Alina Rodríguez Mallón, Sergio Bermúdez, José de la Fuente, Ana Domingos, Mario Pablo Estrada García, Marcelo B. Labruna, Octavio Merino, Juan Mosqueda, Santiago Nava, Ricardo Lleonart Cruz, Matías Szabó, Evelina Tarragona and José M. Venzal
Pathogens 2022, 11(10), 1180; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens11101180 - 13 Oct 2022
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 4506
Abstract
We aim to provide a harmonized view of the factors that affect the survival and promote the spread of R. microplus in the Neotropics, approaching its different facets of biology, ecology, distribution, and control. We review the interactions among environmental niche, landscape fragmentation, [...] Read more.
We aim to provide a harmonized view of the factors that affect the survival and promote the spread of R. microplus in the Neotropics, approaching its different facets of biology, ecology, distribution, and control. We review the interactions among environmental niche, landscape fragmentation, vegetal coverage (abiotic traits), and the biotic aspects of its ecology (abundance of domesticated or wild competent hosts), proposing emerging areas of research. We emphasize a holistic view integrating an economically and ecologically sustainable control of infestations and transmitted pathogens by R. microplus in the Neotropics. Examples of research link the trends of climate, the composition of the community of hosts, the landscape features, and a tailored management based on ecological grounds. Our view is that factors driving the spread of R. microplus are complex and deeply interrelated, something that has been seldom considered in control strategies. The effects of climate may affect the dynamics of wildlife or the landscape composition, promoting new patterns of seasonal activity of the tick, or its spread into currently free areas. In this paper we encourage a One Health approach highlighting the main aspects governing the components of the tick’s life cycle and its interactions with livestock and wild animals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Host-Vector-Pathogen Relationships: One-Health Approach to Vector-Borne Diseases)
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