Hard ticks (Ixodidae) play a critical role in transmitting various tick-borne diseases (TBDs), posing significant global threats to human and animal health. Climatic factors influence the abundance, diversity, and vectorial capacity of tick vectors. It is imperative to have a comprehensive understanding of hard ticks, pathogens, eco-epidemiology, and the impact of climatic changes on the transmission dynamics of TBDs. The distribution and life cycle patterns of hard ticks are influenced by diverse ecological factors that, in turn, can be impacted by changes in climate, leading to the expansion of the tick vector’s range and geographical distribution. Vector competence, a pivotal aspect of vectorial capacity, involves the tick’s ability to acquire, maintain, and transmit pathogens. Hard ticks, by efficiently feeding on diverse hosts and manipulating their immunity through their saliva, emerge as competent vectors for various pathogens, such as viruses, parasites and bacteria. This ability significantly influences the success of pathogen transmission. Further exploration of genetic diversity, population structure, and hybrid tick vectors is crucial, as they play a substantial role in influencing vector competence and complicating the dynamics of TBDs. This comprehensive review deals with important TBDs in India and delves into a profound understanding of hard ticks as vectors, their biology, and the factors influencing their vector competence. Given that TBDs continue to pose a substantial threat to global health, the review emphasizes the urgency of investigating tick control strategies and advancing vaccine development. Special attention is given to the pivotal role of population genetics in comprehending the genetic diversity of tick populations and providing essential insights into their adaptability to environmental changes.

In recent years, the emergence of insecticide resistance has been a major challenge to global public health. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of this phenomenon in mosquito vectors is paramount for the formulation of effective vector control strategies. This review explores the current knowledge of insecticide resistance mechanisms through omics approaches. Genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomics approaches have proven crucial to understand these resilient vectors. Genomic studies have identified multiple genes associated with insecticide resistance, while transcriptomics has revealed dynamic gene expression patterns in response to insecticide exposure and other environmental stimuli. Proteomics and metabolomics offer insights into protein expression and metabolic pathways involved in detoxification and resistance. Integrating omics data holds immense potential to expand our knowledge on the molecular basis of insecticide resistance in mosquitoes via information obtained from different omics platforms to understand regulatory mechanisms and differential expression of genes and protein, and to identify the transcription factors and novel molecules involved in the detoxification of insecticides. Eventually, these data will help construct predictive models, identify novel strategies, and develop targeted interventions to control vector-borne diseases.

Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) affects over 120 million people in 72 countries, with sub-periodic filariasis common in the Pacific. Wuchereria bancrofti has three physiological races, each with a unique microfilarial periodicity, and each race is isolated to a specific geographical region. Sub-periodic W. bancrofti is transmitted by various Aedes mosquito species, with Aedes polynesiensis and Aedes samoanus being the primary vectors in Samoa. The Aedes scutellaris and Aedes kochi groups are also important vectors in the South Pacific Islands. Anopheles species are important vectors of filariasis in rural areas of Asia and Africa. The Anopheles gambiae complex, Anopheles funestus, and the Anopheles punctulatus group are the most important vectors of W. bancrofti. These vectors exhibit indoor nocturnal biting behaviour and breed in a variety of habitats, including freshwater, saltwater, and temporary water bodies. Effective vector surveillance is central to LF control and elimination programs. However, the traditional Human Landing Collection (HLC) method, while valuable, poses ethical concerns and risks to collectors. Therefore, this review critically analyses alternative trapping tools for Aedes and Anopheles vectors in LF-endemic regions. We looked at 14 research publications that discussed W. bancrofti vector trapping methods. Pyrethrum Spray Catches (PSC), one of the seven traps studied for Anopheles LF vectors, was revealed to be the second most effective strategy after HLC, successfully catching Anopheles vectors in Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, and Burkina Faso. The PSC method has several drawbacks, such as the likelihood of overlooking exophilic mosquitoes or underestimating Anopheles populations. However, exit traps offered hope for capturing exophilic mosquitoes. Anopheles populations could also be sampled using the Anopheles Gravid Trap (AGT). In contrast, the effectiveness of the Double Net Traps (DNT) and the CDC Light Trap (CDC LT) varied. Gravid mosquito traps like the OviArt Gravid Trap (AGT) were shown to be useful tools for identifying endophilic and exophilic vectors during the exploration of novel collection techniques. The Stealth trap (ST) was suggested for sampling Anopheles mosquitoes, although specimen damage may make it difficult to identify the species. Although it needs more confirmation, the Ifakara Tent Trap C design (ITT-C) showed potential for outdoor mosquito sampling in Tanzania. Furvela tent traps successfully captured a variety of Anopheles species and are appropriate for use in a variety of eco-epidemiological settings. By contrast, for Aedes LF vectors, no specific sampling tool was identified for Aedes niveus, necessitating further research and development. However, traps like the Duplex cone trap, Resting Bucket Trap (RB), and Sticky Resting Bucket trap (SRB) proved effective for sampling Aedes albopictus, offering potential alternatives to HLC. This review emphasises the value of looking into alternative trapping methods for Aedes and Anopheles vectors in the LF-endemic region. Further research is required to determine the efficacy of novel collection techniques in various contexts, even if PSC and AGT show promise for sampling Anopheles vectors. The identified traps, along with ongoing research, provide valuable contributions to vector surveillance efforts in LF-endemic regions, enabling LF control and elimination strategies to advance.

A group of four human inhabited Nancowry Islands in Nicobar district in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India having a population of 7674 is the lone focus of diurnally sub-periodic Wuchereria bancrofti (DspWB) that is transmitted by Aedes niveus (Ludlow). Microfilaria (Mf) prevalence was above 1% even after nine rounds of Mass Drug Administration (MDA) with DEC and albendazole. Molecular xenomonitoring (MX) was conducted to identify appropriate vector sampling method and assess the impact. BioGents Sentinel traps, gravid traps and human baited double bed nettraps were used in three locations in each village to collect Aedes niveus female mosquitoes. Subsequently daytime man landing collections (MLC) were carried out in all the 25 villages in the islands. Collections were compared in terms of the number of vector mosquitoes captured per trap collection. Females of Ae. niveus were pooled, dried and processed for detecting filarial parasite DNA using RT-PCR assay. Vector infection rate was estimated using PoolScreen software. Only 393 female mosquitoes including 44 Ae. niveus (11.2%) were collected from 459 trap collections using three trapping devices. From 151 MLCs, 2170 Ae. niveus female mosquitoes were collected. The average prevalence of W. bancrofti DNA was 0.43%. Estimated upper 95% CI exceeded the provisional prevalence threshold of 0.1% in all the villages, indicating continued transmission as observed in Mf survey. MLCs could be the choice, for now, to sample Ae. niveus mosquitoes. The PCR assay used in MX for nocturnally periodic bancroftian filariasis could be adopted for DspWB. The vector-parasite MX, can be used to evaluate interventions in this area after further standardization of the protocol. Lymphatic filariasis (LF), caused by nematode parasite–Wuchereria bancrofti, is prevalent in 72 countries with about 1.39 billion people facing the risk of infection. In India LF is endemic in 256 districts. A physiological variant of the parasite, the diurnally sub-periodic Wb (DspWb) is confined to a small pocket of four remotely located isles, in Nicobar district in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The parasite is transmitted by a day-biting and forest dwelling mosquito, Aedes niveus. Even after 9 rounds of Mass Drug Administration under the National Programme for LF elimination, microfilaria prevalence was above transmission threshold level (1%), indicating continued transmission. We studied filarial infection in Ae. niveus using molecular xenomonitoring (MX). The vector mosquito was sampled using BioGents Sentinel, Gravid and human baited double bed net-traps. Since the traps did not yield adequate numbers, man landing collections were carried out. The prevalence filarial infection in mosquitoes assessed by molecular assay was above the provisional threshold level (<0.1%.), confirming that the transmission has not been interrupted. MX protocol can further be standardised for use as a surveillance tool in assessing the impact of MDA in this vector-parasite combination.

Following the Public Health Emergency of International Concern declared on Zika by the World Health Organization during 2016, the Indian Council of Medical Research carried out nationwide vector surveillance for Zika and Dengue viruses (ZIKV and DENV) in India as a preparedness measure in 2016-19. High-risk zones distributed to 49 Districts in 14 states/union territories were included in the study. Seven ICMR institutions participated, following a standard operating protocol. Aedes specimens sampled weekly were processed by multiplex reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for ZIKV/DENV and random samples crosschecked with real-time RT-PCR for ZIKV. Altogether, 79 492 Aedes specimens in 6492 pools were processed; 3 (0.05%) and 63 (0.97%) pools, respectively, were found positive for ZIKV and DENV. ZIKV infections were recorded in Aedes aegypti sampled during the 2018 sporadic Zika outbreak in Jaipur, Rajasthan. However, these belonged to the Asian lineage of the virus, already circulating in the country. Both Ae. aegypti and Aedes albopictus distributed to 8 states/union territories were found to be infected with DENV. Both sexes of Ae. albopictus were infected, indicating transovarial transmission. This investigation evinced no active transmission of the American lineage-pandemic Zika virus in India during the pandemic period.