Research on Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens

Dear Colleagues,

Ticks are well-known vectors of a wide range of viral, bacterial, and protozoan pathogens in most regions of the world. In recent years, there has been a growing impact of tick-borne diseases on human and animal health. To control this trend, there is a need for an increase in the number of eco-epidemiological studies on ticks and tick-borne pathogens. In addition to well-studied tick species, such as Ixodes ricinus complex or Dermacentor reticulatus, more studies are needed on lesser known and reemerging tick species, as Haemaphysalis concinna or Hyalomma spp. Borreliosis (Lyme disease) is still among the most important tick-borne diseases, as it alone may affect a half million people annually in the Northern Hemisphere. Recognition of the factors influencing the occurrence of Lyme borreliosis is of high priority, together with a deepening of our knowledge on genetic diversity, pathogenesis, mechanisms of spirochete survival in tick vectors or possible interactions with the tick microbiome. Recently, the vertical route of transmission of tick-borne pathogens, form female to offspring, has also been explored in both environmental and laboratory studies.

In this Special Issue of Microorganisms, dedicated to ticks and tick-borne pathogens, we invite you to send your contributions concerning any aspects related to ticks and tick-borne pathogens, from the eco-epidemiological monitoring to the molecular phylogeny of novel species, and from basic to applied sciences.

Prof. Dr. Anna Bajer
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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