Emerging Horizons for Tick-Borne Pathogens: From the ‘One Pathogen–one Disease’ Vision to the Pathobiome Paradigm

Abstract

Ticks, as vectors of several notorious zoonotic pathogens, represent an important and increasing threat for human and animal health in Europe. Recent applications of new technology revealed the complexity of the tick microbiome, which may affect its vectorial capacity. Appreciation of these complex systems is expanding our understanding of tick-borne pathogens, leading us to evolve a more integrated view that embraces the 'pathobiome'; the pathogenic agent integrated within its abiotic and biotic environments. In this review, we will explore how this new vision will revolutionize our understanding of tickborne diseases. We will discuss the implications in terms of future research approaches that will enable us to efficiently prevent and control the threat posed by ticks.

Tick-Pathogen Interactions and Vector Competence: Identification of Molecular Drivers for Tick-Borne Diseases

“…The recent development of high-throughput next generation sequencing technologies has highlighted the complexity of the tick microbiome that includes both pathogens and potential symbionts (Vayssier-Taussat et al, 2015). It is readily apparent that interactions frequently occur among tick microbial communities, as relationships between microorganisms existing in one environment can be competitive, exclusive, facilitating, or absent, with many potential implications for human and animal health that remain to be elucidated (Ahantarig et al, 2013; Vayssier-Taussat et al, 2015).…”

“…It is readily apparent that interactions frequently occur among tick microbial communities, as relationships between microorganisms existing in one environment can be competitive, exclusive, facilitating, or absent, with many potential implications for human and animal health that remain to be elucidated (Ahantarig et al, 2013; Vayssier-Taussat et al, 2015). Both positive and negative associations have been reported for pathogens (Mather et al, 1987; de la Fuente et al, 2003).…”

“…However, while vectorial capacity is influenced by behavioral and environmental determinants affecting variables such as vector density, longevity, and competence, vector competence is a component of vectorial capacity that depends on genetic factors affecting the ability of a vector to transmit a pathogen (Beerntsen et al, 2000, Box 1). These genetic determinants affect traits such as tick host preferences, duration of tick attachment, tick-host-pathogen and microbiome-pathogen interactions, and susceptibility to pathogen infection (Ramamoorthi et al, 2005; Hajdušek et al, 2013; Narasimhan et al, 2014; Nuttall, 2014; Rynkiewicz et al, 2015; Vayssier-Taussat et al, 2015). Therefore, the elucidation of the mechanisms involved in tick-pathogen interactions that affect vector competence is essential for the identification of molecular drivers for tick-borne diseases, and exposes paradigms for controlling and preventing these diseases.…”

Trends in tick population dynamics and pathogen transmission in emerging tick-borne pathogens in Europe: an introduction

“…More focus on co-infection and shifting from the 'one-pathogen-one-disease' vision to the pathobioma paradigm may help to get a better understanding of the dynamics of the various pathogens and their interactions. The pathobioma paradigm entails considering the pathogenic agent integrated within its abiotic and biotic environments and taking into account the complexity of the tick microbiome, which may affect its vectorial capacity (Vayssier-Taussat et al 2015).…”

First metagenomic report of <i>Borrelia americana</i> and <i>Borrelia carolinensis</i> in Poland – a preliminary study

“…During a meal, ticks can transmit several pathogenic microorganisms which makes them vectors of tick-borne diseases. About 90% of tick species are of veterinary or medical significance [1,2].…”