Piroplasms and Tick-Borne Pathogens: Transmission, Surveillance, and One Health Perspectives

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue will cover Piroplasms and Tick-Borne Pathogens from three aspects.

Transmission and Ecology

This section would cover the complex dynamics of how piroplasms and other tick-borne pathogens spread. It would likely include studies on the following:

• The biology and distribution of tick vectors, and how their habitats are expanding due to factors like climate change;
• The life cycles of these pathogens within their hosts (animals and humans) and tick vectors;
• The role of wildlife and domestic animals as reservoirs for these infections.

Surveillance and Diagnostics

The studies would highlight the importance of monitoring the spread of these pathogens. This would include papers on the following:

• Advances in diagnostic tools and techniques, particularly molecular methods (e.g., PCR) for rapid and accurate detection in both ticks and hosts;
• Epidemiological studies that track the prevalence and incidence of these diseases in specific geographic areas;
• The development of effective surveillance programs to predict outbreaks and manage disease spread for better disease control.

One Health Perspective

This theme is central to the issue, emphasizing the interconnectedness of animal, human, and environmental health. The content would likely address the following:

• Zoonotic parasites and pathogens that can be transmitted from animals to humans, with a focus on emerging public health concerns;
• The economic and social impacts of these diseases on agriculture, livestock, and human communities;
• Strategies for prevention and control that integrate veterinary medicine, human public health, and environmental management.

This Special Issue is central to the scope of Pathogens, which encompasses research on parasitic and bacterial infectious diseases, host–vector–pathogen interactions, epidemiology, and the development of diagnostics and control strategies within a public health context.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Heba Alzan
Guest Editor

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