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Microorganisms
Special Issues
Ticks, Pathogens, and Microbes: Unraveling Nature's Tiny Mysteries
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Ticks, Pathogens, and Microbes: Unraveling Nature's Tiny Mysteries

A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Parasitology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 October 2024 | Viewed by 2278

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Darci Moraes Barros-Battesti

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Veterinary Pathology, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Sao Paulo, Brazil
Interests: ticks taxonomy; tick-borne diseases; tick-host relationships; tick cell lines

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Ticks are enigmatic arachnids that play a crucial role in the transmission of various pathogens to humans, animals, and even other ticks.

This Special Issue, entitled "Ticks, Pathogens, and Microbes: Unraveling Nature's Tiny Mysteries," delves into the captivating world of ticks and their intricate relationships with pathogens and microbes.

Within the pages of this Special Issue, we bring together cutting-edge research from experts in tick biology, tick cell lines, ecology, and microbiology. Our contributors explore the multifaceted interactions between ticks, pathogens, and microbes, shedding light on the mechanisms underlying pathogen transmission, tick-borne diseases, and the establishment of tick cell lines for research purposes. The Special Issue opens with an overview of tick biology, providing a foundation for understanding these remarkable arachnids' life cycles, feeding habits, and ecological significance. From there, we delve into the diverse array of pathogens that ticks can harbor and transmit, including bacteria, viruses, and protozoa.

Through detailed studies, we uncover the intricate strategies employed by ticks and microbes in their ongoing battle for survival. A significant proportion of the Special Issue is dedicated to the establishment and standardization of tick cell lines, a critical resource for studying tick-borne diseases and unraveling the intricacies of tick–microbe interactions. Experts in cell culture techniques and tick biology share their insights into the challenges and breakthroughs in this field.

Furthermore, we explore the broader context of ectoparasites, including mites and fleas, showcasing their role in the transmission of diseases and their ecological impacts. These insights into different ectoparasites provide a comprehensive view of the challenges posed by these tiny yet influential organisms. "Ticks, Pathogens, and Microbes: Unraveling Nature's Tiny Mysteries" is a valuable resource for researchers, veterinarians, ecologists, and microbiologists interested in the dynamic world of ticks, pathogens, and microbes. It offers a deeper understanding of the intricate web of interactions between these organisms and provides a platform for advancing our knowledge in this vital field of study. Join us in exploring the mysteries of these tiny but significant players in the natural world.

Dr. Darci Moraes Barros-Battesti
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Microorganisms is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • ticks taxonomy
  • tick-borne diseases
  • tick-host relationships
  • tick cell lines

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 2910 KiB  
Article
Efficacy of Entomopathogenic Staphylococcus Bacteria as a Biocontrol Agent against Rhipicephalus microplus Ticks: Assessing Reproductive Inhibition and Mortality Rates
by Raquel Cossio-Bayugar, Cesar A. Arreguin-Perez, Hugo Aguilar-Diaz and Estefan Miranda-Miranda
Microorganisms 2024, 12(3), 551; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms12030551 - 11 Mar 2024
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Abstract
Rhipicephalus microplus is a persistent ectoparasite of cattle that causes bovine anaplasmosis and babesiosis, causing economic losses worldwide. Chemical treatment is the primary method for tick control, but the emergence of pesticide-resistant ticks is a major challenge. Alternative biocontrol strategies utilizing entomopathogenic microorganisms [...] Read more.
Rhipicephalus microplus is a persistent ectoparasite of cattle that causes bovine anaplasmosis and babesiosis, causing economic losses worldwide. Chemical treatment is the primary method for tick control, but the emergence of pesticide-resistant ticks is a major challenge. Alternative biocontrol strategies utilizing entomopathogenic microorganisms are being explored. This study aimed to validate the species identification and assess the efficacy of four strains of Staphylococcus bacteria (S. shinii S1 and S-2, S. succinus, and S. xylosus) previously reported as being entomopathogenic to R. microplus ticks. According to the bioassays, S. shinii S-1 exhibited the greatest degree of reproductive inhibition (47%), followed by S. succinus (44.3%) at a concentration of 1 × 108 cfu/mL. S. xylosus displayed decreased reproductive inhibition (6.3%). In an additional bioassay, S. shinii S-1 exhibited a significant larval mortality of 67.63%, followed by S. succinus with 66.75%, S. shinni S-2 with 64.61%, and S. xylosus with 28.18% mortality. The common signs of infection observed on these ticks included swelling, yellowish exudate on the hypostome, and reduced limb mobility and color change, except for S. succinus, which did not cause color changes. These bacteria were naturally found on bovine skin. However, further studies are needed to confirm their potential as promising alternatives or complementary agents to existing acaricidal compounds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ticks, Pathogens, and Microbes: Unraveling Nature's Tiny Mysteries)
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11 pages, 668 KiB  
Article
Guardians of the Herd: Molecular Surveillance of Tick Vectors Uncovers Theileriosis Perils in Large Ruminants
by Muhammad Sohail Sajid, Asif Iqbal, Hafiz Muhammad Rizwan, Asma Kausar, Urfa Bin Tahir, Muhammad Younus, Mahvish Maqbool, Rao Muhammad Siddique, Dalia Fouad and Farid Shokry Ataya
Microorganisms 2023, 11(11), 2684; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms11112684 - 2 Nov 2023
Viewed by 940
Abstract
Theileria sp. (Piroplasmida: Theileriidae) is one of the most widely known infections transmitted by hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) and has been linked to significant economic losses across the globe. The study’s main emphasis was theileriosis, a disease that is common in Pakistan and [...] Read more.
Theileria sp. (Piroplasmida: Theileriidae) is one of the most widely known infections transmitted by hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) and has been linked to significant economic losses across the globe. The study’s main emphasis was theileriosis, a disease that is common in Pakistan and has an incidence ranging from 0.6% to 33%. Through DNA screening of the vector ticks and host blood, this study sought to determine the risk of tick-borne theileriosis in populations of buffalos (Bubalus bubalis) and cattle (Bos indicus) in Toba Tek Singh district of Punjab, Pakistan. Identified tick species include Hyalomma anatolicum (35.4%), Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (30.2%), and R. sanguineus (25%). Tick specimens were collected from animals and their respective microenvironments. PCR assays targeting Theileria annulata were used to investigate the infection in the DNA extracted from the collected blood samples from large ruminants and salivary glands (SGs) of the Hyalomma ticks. The 18S rRNA of T. annulata was amplified using specific primers. Positive T. annulata amplicons were sequenced and verified using BLAST analysis. Overall, 50% of SGs contained T. annulate DNA. Female ticks, and those collected from cattle and from riverine environments had significantly higher (p < 0.05) rates of Theileria infection in their acini. Overall prevalence of Theileria infection was 35.9% in blood collected from large ruminants. Cattle had a substantially greater frequency of bovine theileriosis (43.2%) than buffalos (28.7%). Age and sex of large ruminants were significantly positively associated (p < 0.05) with Theileria infection. Furthermore, compared to non-riverine cattle (35%) and buffalo (19.5%), riverine cattle (52.2%) and buffalo (36.2%) showed a considerably higher prevalence. The results of this study, which is the first in Pakistan to examine the blood of large ruminants and vectorial function of Ixodid ticks in the transmission of T. annulata along with associated risk factors, offer an important insight for risk assessment of Theileria infection in livestock using vectorial infectivity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ticks, Pathogens, and Microbes: Unraveling Nature's Tiny Mysteries)
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