Vector-borne infectious diseases

Evolutionary genomics identifies host-directed therapeutics to treat intracellular bacterial infections

This paper uses evolutionary genomics to identify host metabolic pathways critical for intracellular bacterial survival, validating them through in vitro assays and metabolomics.

Wide distribution of Mediterranean and African Spotted fever agents and the first identification of Israeli Spotted Fever agent in ticks in Uganda

The paper identifies Rickettsia species in ticks from Uganda, finding R. africae most common and R. conorii subsp. israelensis newly detected.

Comparative chemical genomics in Babesia species identifies the alkaline phosphatase phoD as a novel determinant of resistance

This paper identifies PhoD as a novel resistance determinant in Babesia species using comparative chemogenomics and validates its role through reverse genetics and functional perturbation.

Antimicrobial resistance gene lack in tick-borne pathogenic bacteria

The paper investigates the presence of antimicrobial resistance genes in tick-borne bacterial isolates and finds that most lack these genes, except for Francisella tularensis.

Diversity of the bacterial and viral communities in the tropical horse tick, Dermacentor nitens in Colombia

The paper characterizes bacterial and viral communities in Dermacentor nitens ticks from three Colombian regions, finding regional differences in microbial composition and identifying potential endosymbionts and viruses.

Possible biased virulence attenuation in the Senegal strain of Ehrlichia ruminantium by ntrX gene conversion from an inverted segmental duplication

First detection of Ixodiphagus hookeri (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) in Ixodes ricinus ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) from multiple locations of Hungary

The study detects Ixodiphagus hookeri in Ixodes ricinus ticks from Hungary, marking the first report in the country and the southernmost occurrence in Central Europe.

Longer study length, standardized sampling techniques, and broader geographic scope leads to higher likelihood of detecting stable abundance patterns in long term black-legged tick studies

The paper analyzes 289 black-legged tick datasets to show that study design factors like length, sampling technique, life stage, and geographic scope affect the detection of stable population patterns.

Comparative single-cell transcriptional atlases of Babesia species reveal conserved and species-specific expression profiles

The paper uses single-cell RNA sequencing to analyze three Babesia species, identifying conserved and species-specific gene expression patterns across the asexual replication cycle.

Prevalence and heterogeneity of antibiotic-resistant genes in Orientia tsutsugamushi and other rickettsial genomes

The paper investigates antibiotic-resistant gene prevalence and variability in Orientia tsutsugamushi and other rickettsial genomes, finding fewer but more variable resistant genes in O. tsutsugamushi compared to other rickettsiae.

Rickettsia infection rate along an altitudinal gradient as influenced by population genetic structure of Ixodid ticks

This study examines Rickettsia infection rates in Ixodid ticks along an altitudinal gradient, finding significant genetic differentiation and spatially heterogeneous infection rates in I. ovatus.

Secretoglobin family 1D member 2 (SCGB1D2) protein inhibits growth of Borrelia burgdorferi and affects susceptibility to Lyme disease

The paper identifies a genetic variant in SCGB1D2 that increases Lyme disease susceptibility and shows that the wild-type protein inhibits Borrelia burgdorferi growth more effectively than the variant.

Identification of microRNAs in the Lyme disease vector Ixodes scapularis

This study identifies differentially expressed miRNAs in Ixodes scapularis salivary glands after Borrelia burgdorferi infection using small RNA sequencing and qRT-PCR.

Zoonotic Tick Borne Pathogens in Ticks at Human-Wildlife-Livestock interfaces in Kwale County, Kenya

The paper identifies tick species and zoonotic pathogens in ticks from Kenya's game reserves, finding Rickettsia africae and other pathogens that pose a risk to human health.

CoxBase: an online platform for epidemiological surveillance, visualization, analysis and typing of Coxiella burnetii genomic sequence

CoxBase provides an online platform for managing, analyzing, and typing Coxiella burnetii genomic sequences to support epidemiological surveillance.

Identification of public submitted tick images: a neural network approach

This paper develops a deep learning model to identify tick species from images, achieving 87.8% accuracy but underperforming experts due to image quality issues.

Alpha-Gal Syndrome: Involvement of Amblyomma americanum α-D-galactosidase and β-1,4 Galactosyltransferase enzymes in α-gal metabolism

This study investigates the role of two tick enzymes, ADGal and β-1,4GalT, in galactose metabolism and their potential involvement in Alpha-Gal Syndrome.

Development Of Novel Multiplex PCR For Rapid Diagnosis Of Coinfected Hemo-Parasites In Cattle

The paper develops a multiplex PCR method for diagnosing co-infected hemo-parasites in cattle, showing moderate agreement with Giemsa stained blood smears.

The super repertoire of type IV effectors in the pangenome of Ehrlichia spp. provides insights into host-specificity and pathogenesis

The paper predicts type IV effectors in Ehrlichia spp. and related bacteria, identifying conserved and species-specific effectors and new domain combinations.

Comparative population genetic structure of two ixodid tick species (Ixodes ovatus and Haemaphysalis flava) in Niigata Prefecture, Japan

This study compares the population genetic structure of two tick species in Japan, finding significant genetic variation in I. ovatus but not H. flava, supporting the hypothesis that host mobility affects tick genetic structure.

Rickettsia japonica in ticks infesting a wild mammal in Thailand

The paper reports the first detection of Rickettsia japonica in Haemaphysalis hystricis ticks from a Burmese ferret-badger in Thailand, showing genetic similarity to known R. japonica strains.

Natural Genetic Variation in Drosophila melanogaster Reveals Genes Associated with Coxiella burnetii Infection

This study identifies 25 genes associated with Coxiella burnetii infection in Drosophila using GWAS and functional validation.

Development of a sensitive molecular diagnostic assay for detecting Borrelia burgdorferi DNA from blood of Lyme disease patients by digital PCR.

This paper develops a digital PCR assay for detecting Borrelia burgdorferi DNA in Lyme disease patient blood, achieving higher sensitivity than current methods.

Capture-based enrichment of Theileria parva DNA enables full genome assembly of first buffalo- derived strain and reveals exceptional intra-specific genetic diversity

The paper develops a capture-based DNA enrichment method to assemble the first buffalo-derived T. parva genome, revealing high genetic diversity between cattle- and buffalo-associated strains.

Contrasting population genetics of cattle- and buffalo- derived Theileria annulata causing tropical theileriosis

The paper compares the genetic diversity of Theileria annulata in cattle and water buffalo in Pakistan, finding higher diversity in cattle-derived populations.

Babesia bovis Rad51 ortholog influences switching of ves genes but is not essential for segmental gene conversion in antigenic variation

This paper investigates the role of BbRad51 in segmental gene conversion (SGC) and antigenic variation in Babesia bovis, finding that while BbRad51 influences transcriptional switching and SGC tract lengths, it is not essential for SGC itself.

Pathogens, endosymbionts, and blood-meal sources of host-seeking ticks in the fast-changing Maasai Mara wildlife ecosystem

The paper surveys questing ticks in the Maasai Mara National Reserve to identify pathogens, endosymbionts, and blood-meal sources, revealing zoonotic risks and potential disease vectors.

Molecular detection of pathogens in ticks and fleas collected from companion dogs and cats in East and Southeast Asia

This study molecularly detects pathogens in ticks and fleas from companion dogs and cats in East and Southeast Asia, finding high prevalence of zoonotic vector-borne pathogens.

Analysis of p67 allelic sequences reveals a subtype of allele type 1 unique to buffalo-derived Theileria parva parasites from southern Africa

The paper identifies a subtype of p67 allele type 1 in buffalo-derived T. parva parasites from southern Africa, distinct from East African cattle-derived parasites.

Re-annotation of the Theileria parva genome refines 53% of the proteome and uncovers essential components of N-glycosylation, a conserved pathway in many organisms

The paper re-annotates the Theileria parva genome, refining 53% of the proteome and uncovering a minimal N-glycosylation pathway.