How do ticks acquire and transmit pathogens?
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Ticks acquire pathogens through feeding on viraemic hosts, becoming infected in the process before transmitting the pathogens to humans and animals. The transmission of pathogens such as Borrelia, Babesia, Anaplasma, Rickettsia, and Ehrlichia occurs during the tick's blood meal, carnivorism, and through animal bites. Tick-borne viruses (TBVs) are mainly RNA viruses, and the successful transmission of these viruses involves complex interactions at the virus-vector interface, where tick saliva plays a crucial role. Tick saliva contains antimicrobial proteins that aid in the uptake, settlement, and multiplication of viruses, essential for successful transmission to the final host. Additionally, tick symbionts like Rickettsia helvetica and Spiroplasma ixodetis can influence the acquisition and maintenance of horizontally transmitted pathogens like Borrelia burgdorferi and Neoehrlichia mikurensis.
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| Papers (5) | Insight |
|---|---|
| Ticks acquire pathogens by feeding on infected hosts, then transmit them to naive hosts during subsequent feedings. Saliva components aid in pathogen acquisition and transmission. | |
| Ticks acquire pathogens through vertebrate hosts like roe deer. Tick symbionts like M. mitochondrii influence pathogen acquisition. Transmission occurs horizontally and vertically through interactions between various microorganisms. | |
6 Citations | Ticks acquire and transmit pathogens through their salivary glands, which play a crucial role in uptake, settlement, and multiplication of viruses, aiding successful transmission to the final host. |
| Ticks acquire pathogens through infected blood meals, carnivorism, and animal bites. They transmit pathogens to animals and humans during subsequent blood meals, leading to disease spread. | |
| Ticks acquire pathogens by feeding on viraemic hosts and transmit them to humans and animals during subsequent feedings. Understanding tick-borne viruses' pathogenesis is crucial for preventive measures. |
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