Targeting the tick-pathogen interface for novel control strategies

Abstract

Ticks are ectoparasites of wild and domestic animals and humans that most notably impact global health by transmitting disease-causing pathogens. While information on the molecular interactions between ticks and pathogens that facilitate pathogen infection, development and transmission is limited, a comprehensive understanding of the tick-pathogen interface would be fundamental toward development of new and novel measures for control of both tick infestations and tick-borne pathogens. Recently, vaccine studies using key tick antigens and characterization of tick gene function by RNA interference (RNAi) have provided new information on genes that impact the tick-pathogen interface. In this review we summarize current research and prospects of tick vaccines and genetic manipulation of ticks targeted to the tick-pathogen interface. The knowledge gained from these collective studies will be fundamental toward understanding of tick-pathogen interactions and for formulation of control methods targeted at both ticks and tick-borne pathogens. Use of these molecular approaches will likely contribute to control measures that will notably reduce tick populations and tick-borne diseases in the future.

Molecular Detection of Tick-Borne Pathogen Diversities in Ticks from Livestock and Reptiles along the Shores and Adjacent Islands of Lake Victoria and Lake Baringo, Kenya

“…Intensification of tick and TBP surveillance, disease detection, and control of ticks are critical in informing public health decisions on mitigation, control, and early warning and response strategies in cases of disease outbreaks (33). To gain better insight into the diversity of ticks and TBPs parasitizing livestock, and the potential involvement of cohabitating reptiles in their epidemiology, within the Lake Baringo and Lake Victoria region ecosystems of Kenya, we utilized contemporary molecular biology techniques (32) to screen field-collected ticks sampled along the shores and adjacent islands in these regions.…”

Ticks infesting humans in Italy and associated pathogens

“…In spite of the availability of several chemical options for tick control, especially for companion animals and livestock, the incidence of human TBDs is increasing worldwide [1,5]. For example, cases of Lyme borreliosis by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato are on the rise in the United States, and are related to the occurrence of its competent vector Ixodes scapularis .…”

A Tick Gut Protein with Fibronectin III Domains Aids Borrelia burgdorferi Congregation to the Gut during Transmission

“…There is currently no commercial vaccine to prevent Lyme borreliosis in humans [3], although recent efforts have been made in that direction [4]. An increased molecular understanding of how the tick acquires, sustains and transmits Borrelia would be conducive to the development of novel strategies, including anti-tick vaccines [5]–[7], to control Lyme borreliosis. Borrelia resides in the unfed tick gut anchored to a gut protein, TROSPA [8].…”