Recent global changes have led to an increase in the spread of ticks and tick-borne diseases (TBDs) affecting domestic ruminants and humans, with an annual loss of US $13.9–$18.7 billion. The current study determined the perception and practices of livestock farmers regarding tick infestation. A total of 112 livestock farms were surveyed in Punjab, Pakistan, among which animals from 42 (37.5%) farms were infested with ticks. Only 28.6% (n = 32) of the dairy farmers were consulting veterinarians for ticks control, while 86.7% (n = 97) of the respondents did not consider biosecurity measures in the control of tick transmission. Most of the respondents, 71.4% (n = 80), did not consider manual tick removal from their animals (i.e., by hand, followed by physically crushing) as a risky practice for spreading zoonotic diseases. Improper disposal of bottles of acaricides in the farm drainage was also observed, putting the environment and aquatic life at risk. These wrong practices may contribute to high disease burdens and economic losses, increasing the possibility of transmission of zoonotic TBDs and pollution of the environment. Therefore, an integrated One Health approach is required for the control of TBDs through environmentally friendly approaches.

Ticks are widely distributed across the globe, serving as hosts for numerous pathogens that make them major contributors to zoonotic parasitosis. Borrelia burgdorferi is a bacterial species that causes an emerging zoonotic tick-borne disease known as Lyme borreliosis. The role of ticks in the transmission of this pathogen was explored in this study. According to this systematic review, undertaken according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, 19 tick species are known to carry Borrelia burgdorferi, with more than half of the recorded cases in the last two decades related to Ixodes ricinus and Ixodes scapularis ticks. Forty-six studies from four continents, Europe, North America, Asia, and Africa, reported this pathogen in ticks collected from vegetation, animals, and humans. This study highlights an increasing distribution of tick-associated Borrelia burgdorferi, likely driven by accelerated tick population increases in response to climate change coupled with tick dispersal via migratory birds. This updated catalogue helps in compiling all tick species responsible for the transmission of B. burgdorferi across the globe. Gaps in research exist on Borrelia burgdorferi in continents such as Asia and Africa, and in considering environmentally friendly vector control strategies in Europe and North America.

Mango ‘Nam dok mai si thong’ is in high demand worldwide, displaying desirable attributes which include a particularly sweet flavour and visually appealing appearance. Physiological and biochemical changes that occur in the fruit post-harvest are key factors in determining fruit quality and, consequently, predicted shelf life. In order to understand which post-harvest markers play crucial roles during the ripening process, as well as those which are a consequence of disease infection and physical damage caused by essential oil vapour, partial least squares (PLS) correlation models were used. During storage, physiochemical (percent weight loss, peel colour, firmness, pH, and peel electrolyte leakage) and biochemical (titratable acidity, total soluble solids, total phenolic compounds, total flavonoid compounds, antioxidants, total sugar, and reducing sugar content) parameters, as well as near-infrared (NIR) spectra, were monitored and correlated with visual post-harvest physiological responses. The majority of analysed markers displayed distinct relationships with the ripening process of mangoes, where for non-destructive parameters (R² = 0.86), lightness (L*) and b* value were notably significant, and for destructive parameters (R² = 0.79), pH and total soluble solids were notably significant. Similarly, the same markers were also correlated with physical damage and post-harvest mango disease infection severity, possibly through polysaccharide deformation and activation of browning-related enzymes. NIR imaging results also revealed the absorbent regions involved in biochemical alterations (water and enzymes; absorbance at 1170 nm, 1400–1500 nm, and 2150–2250 nm) that pertain to the fruit’s quality. The findings from this work provide an initial step towards the development and assessment of quality measures for ‘Nam dok mai si thong’ mango.

Zoonotic babesiosis poses a serious health risk in many parts of the world. Its emergence in Asia is thus a cause for significant concern, demanding that appropriate control measures are implemented to suppress its spread in this region. This study focuses on zoonotic Babesia species reported in Asia, offering an extensive review of those species reported in animals and humans. We reported 11 studies finding zoonotic Babesia species in animals and 16 in humans. In China, the most prevalent species was found to be Babesia microti, reported in both humans (n = 10) and wild and domesticated animals (n = 4). In Korea, only two studies reported human babesiosis, with a further two studies reporting Babesia microti in wild animals. Babesia microti was also reported in wild animal populations in Thailand and Japan, with evidence of human case reports also found in Singapore, Mongolia and India. This is the first review to report zoonotic babesiosis in humans and animals in Asia, highlighting concerns for future public health in this region. Further investigations of zoonotic species of Babesia in animal populations are required to confirm the actual zoonotic threat of babesiosis in Asia, as well as its possible transmission routes.

Entomopathogenic fungi (EPFs) can infect and kill a diverse range of arthropods, including ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) that can transmit various diseases to animals and humans. Consequently, the use of EPFs as a biocontrol method for managing tick populations has been explored as an alternative to chemical acaricides, which may have harmful effects on the environment and non-target species. This review summarizes studies conducted on EPFs for tick control between 1998 and 2024, identifying 9 different EPF species that have been used against 15 different species of ticks. One of the most well-known and widely researched EPFs used against ticks is Metarhizium anisopliae, a fungus known for its ability to infect and kill various arthropods. When applied to tick-infested areas, M. anisopliae spores attach to the tick’s cuticle, germinate, and penetrate through the cuticle, leading to the eventual death of the tick due to the fungal infection. Whilst a number of studies support the potential of this and other EPF species against ticks, this review suggests that limitations to their effective use may include factors such as heat, humidity, and ultraviolet light (UV-A and UV-B). This comprehensive review aims to provide an overview of the literature on the potential of EPFs in tick control, focusing on their mode of action, previous field successes/failures, advantages, potential applications, and prospects for future practical developments.

Coxiellosis, also known as Q fever, is a zoonotic disease caused byCoxiella burnetii, a gram-negative bacterium that exerts a significant deleterious impact on the productive and reproductive capabilities of livestock, severely effecting the economics of this sector. In this study, 448 sera samples from cattle (n = 224) and buffalo (n = 224) were collected from 112 farms in Pakistan and examined for antibodies againstC. burnetiiusing an indirect ELISA. Ticks were also collected from these animals. Serological analysis revealed a 23.66% and 27.23% seroprevalence of Q fever in cattle and buffalo, respectively. Odds ratio (OR) analysis of the factors associated withC. burnetiiseropositivity was performed, and a multivariable logistic model identified five main variables associated with the seropositivity for coxiellosis. These were: (i) the absence of acaricide use (OR 5.61; 95% CI 2.97–10.94); (ii) the presence of ticks (OR 3.23; 95% CI 1.87–5.69); (iii) the abortion history during the preceding year on the farm (OR 14.96; 95% CI 8.09–29.34); (iv) the presence of sheep and goats (OR 2.47; 95% CI 1.20–5.35); and (v) the absence of a separate parturition area (OR 3.17; 95% CI 1.76–5.86). This study provides new insights into the seroprevalence of Q fever in large ruminants across seven studied districts of Punjab, Pakistan, also providing baseline data to inform improved herd management and on-farm practices for the prevention and control of Q fever in large ruminants in the region. Results of this work suggest that further molecular investigation of coxiellosis is warranted to provide a more thorough evaluation ofC. burnetiiepidemiology in Pakistan.