Emerging Tick-Borne Diseases: From Vector Ecology to Host–Pathogen Dynamics

Dear Colleagues,

The emergence and re-emergence of tick-borne pathogens represent a growing concern for global public and veterinary health. Novel and previously neglected microorganisms transmitted by ticks continue to be identified, expanding the diversity and distribution of tick-borne diseases (TBDs). Understanding the ecological and biological processes driving the emergence of these pathogens is therefore essential for predicting and mitigating their impact.

By integrating ecological, molecular, and epidemiological perspectives, this Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive synthesis of current advances in the study of emerging tick-borne pathogens. Through the One Health lens, it seeks to foster collaboration across disciplines and support the development of innovative strategies for surveillance, early detection, and control of these evolving threats.

We invite researchers to contribute original articles and reviews exploring emerging or re-emerging tick-borne pathogens, their transmission cycles, and host–pathogen dynamics. Interdisciplinary studies that connect field ecology, molecular biology, and public health perspectives are encouraged. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

• The multidisciplinary exploration of factors shaping the evolution, ecology, and transmission dynamics of emerging tick-borne pathogens;
• Host–vector–pathogen interactions;
• Tick-borne pathogen adaptation and virulence;
• The influence of environmental and anthropogenic change on the emergence of new or re-emerging agents.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Joanna Kulisz
Dr. Zbigniew Zając
Dr. Aneta Woźniak
Guest Editors

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. Pathogens 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 2200 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.