Tick Salivary Proteins and Tick-Borne Diseases
A special issue of Pathogens (ISSN 2076-0817). This special issue belongs to the section "Ticks".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2026 | Viewed by 751
Editors
Interests: molecular parasitology; vector borne diseases; veterinary diagnostic and vaccine development
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: molecular parasitology; vector borne diseases; veterinary diagnostic and vaccine development
Interests: tick-borne diseases; tick–host–pathogen interactions; anti-tick interventions
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) represent an escalating threat to global public and veterinary health. Ticks are formidable vectors because they transmit diverse pathogens to vertebrate hosts with remarkable efficiency. This success depends critically on tick salivary proteins, which mediate essential interactions among ticks, hosts, and pathogens during blood feeding and pathogen establishment. Tick salivary proteins perform multiple coordinated functions that facilitate parasitism and pathogen transmission. These molecules suppress host immunity, enable blood feeding, and promote pathogen survival and dissemination. Elucidating mechanisms underpinning tick–pathogen–vertebrate interactions is essential for understanding TBD epidemiology and identifying effective intervention strategies.
This Special Issue seeks to advance understanding of tick-derived molecules, including salivary proteins, midgut proteins, hemolymph, and hemocytes, as mediators of tick–pathogen–host interactions and as targets for control strategies. We invite original research and comprehensive reviews employing omics, immunological, and functional genomics approaches to the following:
- Characterize the molecular composition and structure of tick-derived bioactive molecules;
- Define functional roles in pathogen dynamics and transmission;
- Identify vaccine targets and diagnostic markers;
- Develop innovative control interventions.
By synthesizing current knowledge of tick biology and host–pathogen interactions, this collection will inform the development of effective surveillance and control measures against TBDs.
Prof. Dr. Albert Mulenga
Dr. Thu-Thuy Nguyen
Dr. Moiz Ashraf Ansari
Dr. Alex Kiarie Gaithuma
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- tick salivary proteins
- tick-borne diseases (TBDs)
- tick–host–pathogen interactions
- proteomics
- immune modulation
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