Vector-borne infectious diseases

Molecular epidemiology of Theileria parva in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo: Implications to the introduction of the Muguga Cocktail vaccine for East Coast Fever

This study examines T. parva genetic diversity in eastern DRC and finds limited similarity to the Muguga Cocktail vaccine, suggesting vaccine limitations against local strains.

Genome sequencing and multi-stage, blood-feeding, and tissue-specific transcriptome atlas of the Rocky Mountain wood tick provide a critical resource for this vector

This study provides a reference genome and transcriptome atlas of the Rocky Mountain wood tick, identifying genes involved in blood feeding and developmental-stage-specific gene expression.

Colonization of 3D-organotypic human skin by the Lyme Disease pathogen, Borrelia burgdorferi

This study develops a human skin model to study Borrelia burgdorferi colonization, showing peak invasion at 24h and round body formation at 48h, mediated by dermal fibroblasts.

Does Borrelia afzelii outer surface protein E coevolve with complement factor H of its rodent host? Insights from GxG and spatial associations

The paper investigates whether Borrelia afzelii OspE coevolves with bank vole CFH, finding positive selection on OspE but no direct genetic association.

Transformation and allelic exchange in Orientia tsutsugamushi

This paper develops a genetic transformation and allelic exchange protocol for Orientia tsutsugamushi, enabling genetic manipulation of this pathogen to study its biology and interactions with host cells.

Borrelia burgdorferi infection-enhanced Ixodes scapularis serpins S12c5 and S13c5, target MASP1/3 to inhibit MBL-pathway complement activation and promote spirochete survival

This study identifies two tick serpins, S12c5 and S13c5, that inhibit complement activation and enhance Borrelia burgdorferi survival by targeting MASP1/3.

Spatial Transcriptomic Profiling Reveals Microenvironment-Dependent Immune Signatures in a Lyme Arthritis model

This study uses spatial transcriptomics to analyze immune signatures in Lyme arthritis, showing spatially restricted gene expression patterns and microenvironment-dependent immune responses in infected mouse joints.

TickMapKB: A FAIR Spatial Knowledgebase of Tick Species and Associated Pathogens in India

TickMapKB is a spatial knowledgebase compiling tick species, pathogens, and associated data in India to aid in disease surveillance and resistance management.

Map simulator of tick abundance in heterogeneous agricultural landscapes

The paper builds a statistical model and simulator to predict the abundance of Ixodes ricinus ticks in agricultural landscapes based on habitat variables.

Borrelia burgdorferi bb0164 encodes a Na+/Ca2+ antiporter homolog with a novel role in Mn2+ homeostasis and infectivity

This study identifies BB0164 as a second manganese transporter in Borrelia burgdorferi essential for infectivity and metal homeostasis, distinct from the known BmtA transporter.

Machine Learning-Driven Identification of Virulence Determinants in Borrelia burgdorferi Associated with Human Dissemination

This study uses machine learning to identify amino acid residues in Borrelia burgdorferi virulence factors associated with human Lyme disease dissemination.

Anaplasma phagocytophilum Subversion of Host Hepcidin-Ferroportin Iron Nutritional Immunity

This paper shows Anaplasma phagocytophilum manipulates host ferroportin and hepcidin to acquire iron for growth within infected cells.

Adaptation of Anaplasma phagocytophilum to the tick vector is controlled by the transcriptional regulator Tr1

This study identifies Tr1 as a master transcriptional regulator essential for Anaplasma phagocytophilum adaptation to ticks by controlling the expression of genes involved in virulence and vector survival.

A genetic screen identifies O-antigen as essential for Rickettsia parkeri survival in macrophages by protecting from inflammasomes and interferon-stimulated genes

Full-length 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing reveals dynamics of tick-adapted and environmentally derived bacteria in the microbiome of the black-legged tick, Ixodes scapularis in Nova Scotia, Canada

The paper uses full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing to distinguish tick-adapted and environmentally derived bacteria in Ixodes scapularis ticks, showing environmental bacteria are not contaminants.

Past and future phenology changes of zoonotic vector-borne diseases under climate and land-use change

This study assesses how climate and land-use changes affect the spread and seasonal patterns of TBEV and WNV in Europe, projecting increased transmission risk and phenological shifts.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of para-veterinary workers about ticks and tick-borne diseases in three provinces of Pakistan

This study assesses knowledge, attitudes, and practices of para-veterinary workers in Pakistan regarding ticks and tick-borne diseases, finding that workshop attendance correlates with higher awareness and better practices.

Stepwise assembly of virulence-associated traits in the intracellular pathogen Coxiella burnetii

This study investigates the evolutionary origins of virulence traits in Coxiella burnetii by analyzing comparative phylogenomics across Legionellales, revealing stepwise acquisition and loss of traits related to host interaction, immune evasion, and intracellular survival.

Protective efficacy of mutant strains of Borrelia burgdorferi as potential reservoir host-targeted biologics against Lyme disease

This study evaluates non-infectious mutant strains of Borrelia burgdorferi and their lipoproteins as biologics to prevent Lyme disease transmission by reducing bacterial acquisition in ticks.

Sub-lethal pesticide exposure facilitates the potential northward range shifts of ticks by increasing cold tolerance and overwintering survival

This study shows that sublethal pesticide exposure increases cold tolerance and overwintering survival in ticks, potentially enabling northward range shifts by improving their ability to survive low temperatures.

The First Chromosome-Scale Genome Assembly for Dermacentor reticulatus: A Key Vector of Tick-Borne Pathogens of Public and Veterinary Health Importance in Europe

The paper presents the first chromosome-scale genome assembly for Dermacentor reticulatus, revealing a repeat-rich genome and providing insights into its phylogenetic placement and functional genomics.

ERGA-BGE reference genomes of Hyalomma lusitanicum and its obligate Francisella endosymbiont as a genomic resource for One Health research

The paper presents genomic resources for Hyalomma lusitanicum and its Francisella endosymbiont, providing insights into host-symbiont evolution and disease transmission.

Ehrlichia ruminantium infection is associated with tissue-specific microbial community shifts in Amblyomma gemma ticks from cattle in Kenya

This study shows Ehrlichia ruminantium infection causes tissue-specific microbial shifts in Amblyomma gemma ticks, with implications for microbiome-based interventions against heartwater.

A mark-release-recapture approach to characterize tick questing preferences and dispersal distance.

This paper introduces a mark-release-recapture method to study tick movement, finding non-random movement patterns, vegetation-dependent dispersal, and sex-based differences.

Phenology of Hyalomma marginatum: a longitudinal study in a site of southern France

This study tracks the seasonal activity of Hyalomma marginatum ticks in southern France, showing their life cycle patterns and interactions with hosts and environmental factors.

Ticks and tickborne diseases in the upper Midwestern United States: role for citizen science in assessing exposure risk

This study uses a citizen science program to assess tick species and pathogen prevalence in the upper Midwest, finding high rates of Lyme disease pathogens and geographic variation.

Spatial distribution of ticks and tick-borne pathogens in central Hokkaido, Japan and associated ecological factors revealed by intensive short-term survey in 2024

This study maps the spatial distribution of ticks and tick-borne pathogens in central Hokkaido, Japan, and identifies ecological factors influencing their distribution.

A genome-wide RNAi screen identifies host cell cycle regulation as a determinant of Orientia tsutsugamushi infection

A double-blinded, placebo-controlled field trial of an OspA-based oral reservoir targeted vaccine against Borrelia burgdorferi

A field trial tested an OspA-based oral vaccine targeting reservoir mice, showing reduced tick infection rates and increased antibody levels in vaccinated mice.

An Nrf2-Nup214 positive feedback loop sustains the antioxidant response and promotes microbial infection in ticks

This study identifies an Nrf2-Nup214 positive feedback loop that sustains antioxidant responses and promotes Anaplasma infection in ticks.