Vector-borne infectious diseases

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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