Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
6.7
3.8
Journals
Pathogens
Special Issues
Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases―Pathogens, Parasites, People and Practices
share announcement

Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases―Pathogens, Parasites, People and Practices

A special issue of Pathogens (ISSN 2076-0817). This special issue belongs to the section "Ticks".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2026 | Viewed by 3760

Editors

Prof. Dr. Vett Lloyd

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biology, Mount Allison University, Sackville, NB E4L 1G7, Canada
Interests: ticks; mites; host-pathogens interactions; epigenetics; gene expression; vector biology; zoonotic diseases; wildlife; citizen science; Lyme disease
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Mario Levesque

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Politics & International Relations, Mount Allison University, Sackville, NB E4L 1G7, Canada
Interests: public policy and politics; especially related to Lyme disease; disability; environment

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Tick vectors are an increasing global concern as tick populations expand. Human and domestic animal exposure to tick-borne pathogens is increasing due to climate change, land-use changes, and globalization. The impact of these diseases on health extends to a broader social need to address not only the biology of ticks and their pathogens, but also the social, economic, and psychological costs on patients, families, healthcare providers, and communities. For this Special Issue, we invite submissions on the biology of ticks, the biology of the pathogens they transmit, the experiences of patients and health professionals, and analyses of related health protocols and public policies. Interdisciplinary work on these topics is particularly welcomed.

Prof. Dr. Vett Lloyd
Prof. Dr. Mario Levesque
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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-anonymized 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.

Keywords

  • ticks
  • pathogens
  • zoonotic diseases
  • host–pathogen interactions
  • Borrelia
  • healthcare

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

10 pages, 200 KB  
Article
Promoting a Positive Relationship Between Physicians and Patients with Lyme Disease During Pregnancy and Parenthood
by Emma T. Hickman, Meagan E. Williams, Roberta L. DeBiasi and Sarah B. Mulkey
Pathogens 2026, 15(4), 419; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens15040419 - 13 Apr 2026
Viewed by 766
Abstract
Patients with Lyme disease often face uncertainty when navigating the healthcare system during pregnancy and when seeking healthcare for their children exposed to Lyme disease in utero. Little is known about these families’ experiences. This qualitative study explored the perspectives of 27 parents [...] Read more.
Patients with Lyme disease often face uncertainty when navigating the healthcare system during pregnancy and when seeking healthcare for their children exposed to Lyme disease in utero. Little is known about these families’ experiences. This qualitative study explored the perspectives of 27 parents in the United States who had acute or chronic Lyme-related diagnoses while pregnant. Semi-structured interviews were coded and thematically analyzed. Six themes characterized positive patient–physician interactions: (1) validation of patient experiences, (2) transparency, (3) willingness to learn, (4) shared decision making, (5) empathy, and (6) continuity of care. These findings offer guidance for clinicians counseling patients facing prognostic uncertainty related to Lyme disease and similarly complex conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases―Pathogens, Parasites, People and Practices)
21 pages, 7314 KB  
Article
List of Hard Ticks (Acari: Ixodida: Ixodidae) in Subterranean Habitats in Croatia
by Stjepan Krčmar and Roman Ozimec
Pathogens 2026, 15(3), 343; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens15030343 - 23 Mar 2026
Viewed by 934
Abstract
Between 1993 and 2024, a total of 274 hard ticks (Ixodidae) were collected from 138 subterranean localities in Croatia. This study represents the most extensive survey of hard tick fauna in subterranean habitats in Croatia to date. The collected specimens were classified into [...] Read more.
Between 1993 and 2024, a total of 274 hard ticks (Ixodidae) were collected from 138 subterranean localities in Croatia. This study represents the most extensive survey of hard tick fauna in subterranean habitats in Croatia to date. The collected specimens were classified into three genera and seven taxa, including two taxa that could not be identified to the species level (one from the genus Ixodes and one from Haemaphysalis). The genus Ixodes was the most abundant, comprising five taxa, whereas Haemaphysalis and Hyalomma were each represented by a single taxon. The highest diversity of hard ticks was recorded in subterranean habitats in Dalmatia, followed by north-western Croatia and Slavonia. Ixodes vespertilionis Koch, 1844 was the dominant species in the collected sample, representing 81.0% of all specimens, and was recorded in all studied regions. This species was present throughout the entire year, whereas I. hexagonus Leach, 1815 was recorded during nine months, I. frontalis (Panzer, 1798) during four months, and the remaining taxa during shorter periods. The largest number of I. vespertilionis specimens was collected in spring (33.2%), while the lowest number was recorded in winter (16.6%). The record of I. frontalis represents the first documented occurrence of this species in subterranean habitats in Croatia. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases―Pathogens, Parasites, People and Practices)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 1059 KB  
Article
Improving Molecular Detection of Tick-Borne Pathogens in Citizen-Collected Ticks
by Andrea Matucci, Salvatore Scarso, Graziana Da Rold, Federica Obber, Filippo Marzoli, Andrea Ragusa, Fabio Formenti, Davide Treggiari, Antonio Mori, Cristina Mazzi, Andrea Tedesco, Pietro Sponga, Giulia Bertoli, Lucia Moro, Concetta Castilletti, Carlo Vittorio Citterio, Dora Buonfrate, Federico Giovanni Gobbi, Francesca Perandin and Chiara Piubelli
Pathogens 2026, 15(3), 310; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens15030310 - 12 Mar 2026
Viewed by 1038
Abstract
This study aimed primarily to evaluate the performance of two Conformité Européenne—In Vitro Diagnostic (CE-IVD) multiplex real-time PCR (rt-PCR) assays for the molecular identification of tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) of human interest on ticks removed from human skin and collected through a citizen science-based [...] Read more.
This study aimed primarily to evaluate the performance of two Conformité Européenne—In Vitro Diagnostic (CE-IVD) multiplex real-time PCR (rt-PCR) assays for the molecular identification of tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) of human interest on ticks removed from human skin and collected through a citizen science-based approach. As a secondary objective, the aggregated results were used to describe tick species distribution, developmental stages, and seasonal TBP circulation in 2024 in the considered area. The comparison was conducted on 116 tick samples collected in 2024 voluntarily delivered to a hospital in northeastern Italy. Detected TBPs were further confirmed with in-house-validated PCR methods and, where applicable, resolved to the species level. Clinically relevant pathogen species were identified as single infections or coinfections. Overall, 33.6% of tick samples tested positive for at least one TBP, and 6.9% showed coinfections. Kit B exhibited a higher detection rate for Borrelia spp. and Rickettsia spp. targets, partly reflecting its broader diagnostic specificity, while statistically significant differences in cycle threshold values were observed for Anaplasma phagocytophilum detection. The most frequently involved ticks were Ixodes ricinus nymphs, and the most represented area was Verona province. Late spring and early summer were identified as the periods with the highest tick conferment and pathogen diversity. Overall, the results support the use of multiplex real-time PCR commercial kits combined with citizen science-based tick collection as an effective approach for both diagnostic screening and regional surveillance of circulating ticks and TBPs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases―Pathogens, Parasites, People and Practices)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Review

Jump to: Research

23 pages, 1076 KB  
Review
Colpodellosis: Is Colpodella spp. an Emerging Tickborne Pathogen of Public Health Importance?
by Tobili Y. Sam-Yellowe
Pathogens 2026, 15(6), 563; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens15060563 - 23 May 2026
Viewed by 376
Abstract
Colpodella spp. are phylogenetically related to apicomplexans such as Plasmodium spp., Babesia spp., and Cryptosporidium spp. Colpodella spp. are free-living protists that prey on bodonids, ciliates, and algae using myzocytosis. Colpodella spp. cause human and animal infections known as colpodellosis, with transmission via [...] Read more.
Colpodella spp. are phylogenetically related to apicomplexans such as Plasmodium spp., Babesia spp., and Cryptosporidium spp. Colpodella spp. are free-living protists that prey on bodonids, ciliates, and algae using myzocytosis. Colpodella spp. cause human and animal infections known as colpodellosis, with transmission via ticks across different geographic areas on different continents. Colpodella spp. DNA has been detected in ticks, the biting fly Stomoxys indicus and vertebrate samples using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Ticks transmit zoonotic pathogens, and the identification of Colpodella spp. in animals poses a major public health risk due to human and animal encounters exposing humans to tick bites. However, it is unclear if ticks are confirmed vectors for Colpodella spp., since tick vector competence and capacity for Colpodella spp. transmission has not been experimentally demonstrated. Human cases of colpodellosis have involved three cases of blood infection, a fourth case of tickborne infection, and a fifth case of urinary tract infection. In this narrative review, the occurrence of Colpodella spp. in ticks that transmit zoonotic pathogens will be reviewed. Differences in the disease presentations and symptoms of colpodellosis in tickborne infections will be discussed. The pattern of Colpodella spp. coinfections with piroplasms and Cryptosporidium spp. will be evaluated. The pressing need for morphological identification of Colpodella spp. to assist proper characterization of the different species identified in arthropods and vertebrate hosts will be highlighted. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases―Pathogens, Parasites, People and Practices)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-4
Back to TopTop