Haematophagous arthropods can harbor various pathogens including viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and nematodes. Insects possess an innate immune system comprising of both cellular and humoral components to fight against various infections. Haemocytes, the cellular components of haemolymph, are central to the insect immune system as their primary functions include phagocytosis, encapsulation, coagulation, detoxification, and storage and distribution of nutritive materials. Plasmatocytes and granulocytes are also involved in cellular defense responses. Blood-feeding arthropods, such as mosquitoes and ticks, can harbour a variety of viral pathogens that can cause infectious diseases in both human and animal hosts. Therefore, it is imperative to study the virus-vector-host relationships since arthropod vectors are important constituents of the ecosystem. Regardless of the complex immune response of these arthropod vectors, the viruses usually manage to survive and are transmitted to the eventual host. A multidisciplinary approach utilizing novel and strategic interventions is required to control ectoparasite infestations and block vector-borne transmission of viral pathogens to humans and animals. In this review, we discuss the arthropod immune response to viral infections with a primary focus on the innate immune responses of ticks and mosquitoes. We aim to summarize critically the vector immune system and their infection transmission strategies to mammalian hosts to foster debate that could help in developing new therapeutic strategies to protect human and animal hosts against arthropod-borne viral infections.

Infections with Taenia solium cause significant public health and economic losses worldwide. Despite effective control tools, long‐term sustained control/elimination of the parasite has not been demonstrated to date. Success of intervention programs is dependent on their acceptability to local communities. Focus group discussions (FGDs) and questionnaires (QS) were conducted in two study communities in eastern Zambia to assess local perceptions and acceptance of two piloted intervention strategies: one targeting pigs only (‘control’ study arm), and one integrated human‐ and pig‐based (‘elimination’) strategy. QS (n = 227) captured data regarding participation in project activities, knowledge and perceptions of T. solium and of the interventional drugs used in the study. FGDs (n = 18) discussed perceived advantages and disadvantages of the interventions and of the project's delivery and value. QS data revealed 67% of respondents participated in at least one educational activity, and 80% correctly identified at least one disease targeted by the education. All elimination study arm respondents (n = 113) had taken the human treatment, and 98% intended to do so next time. Most (70%) indicated willingness to pay for future treatments (median 0.20 USD per dose). Of pig‐owning respondents, 11/12 (92%) had allowed their pigs to be treated/vaccinated and all intended to do so again next time. Four pig owners indicated willingness to pay 0.10–0.50 USD per dose of treatment or vaccine. FGD feedback revealed positive perceptions of interventions; people reported improved health in themselves and their pigs, and fewer cysticerci in pork. Latrine use, hand washing, meat inspection and proper cooking of pork had reportedly increased since the program's inception. Preliminary assessment indicates that the piloted intervention methods are generally acceptable to the communities. The reported willingness of many respondents to pay for the medications would contribute to the feasibility of long‐term, government‐led T. solium intervention programs in future.

Ticks are important vectors and reservoirs of pathogens causing zoonotic diseases in camels and other livestock, rodents and other small mammals, birds and humans. Hyalomma dromedarii is the most abundant tick species in Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates (UAE) affecting primarily camels, and to a lesser extent, other livestock. Species presence data, land use/landcover, elevation, slope and 19 bioclimatic variables were used to model current and future distribution of H. dromedarii ticks using maximum entropy species distribution modelling (MaxEnt.). The model highlighted areas in the northern, eastern and southwestern parts of the study area as highly suitable for ticks. Several variables including land use/land cover (LULC) (53.1%), precipitation of coldest quarter (Bio19) (21.8%), elevation (20.6%), isothermality (Bio3) (1.9%), mean diurnal range [mean of monthly (max temp – min temp)] (Bio2) (1.8%), slope (0.5%), precipitation, seasonality (Bio15) (0.2%) influenced habitat suitability of ticks, predicting high tick density or abundance. Middle of the road scenario (ssp2-4.5) where CO₂ levels remain similar to current levels, did not indicate a major change in the tick distributions. This tick distribution model could be used for targeting surveillance efforts and increasing the efficiency and accuracy of public health investigations and vector control strategies.

To provide information to guide considerations of declaring interruption of transmission of human schistosomiasis due to Schistosoma mansoni on St. Lucia, we undertook an island-wide survey in June–July 2022 to determine the presence of Biomphalaria snails, the intermediate hosts of S. mansoni, and their infection status. Snail surveys were carried out at 58 habitats to determine presence of Biomphalaria snails followed by examination of the collected snails for evidence of infection with S. mansoni. Furthermore, water samples were collected at the snail habitats and screened for presence of S. mansoni DNA using an eDNA approach. We found B. glabrata present in one habitat (Cul de Sac) where it was abundant. Specimens provisionally identified as Biomphalaria kuhniana were recovered from 10 habitats. None of the Biomphalaria specimens recovered were positive for S. mansoni. None of the eDNA water samples screened were positive for S. mansoni. Experimental exposures of both field-derived and laboratory-reared St. Lucian B. glabrata and B. kuhniana to Puerto Rican and Kenyan-derived S. mansoni strains revealed B. glabrata to be susceptible to both and B. kuhniana proved refractory from histological and snail shedding results. We conclude, given the current rarity of B. glabrata on the island and lack of evidence for the presence of S. mansoni, that transmission is unlikely to be ongoing. Coupled with negative results from recent human serological surveys, and implementation of improved sanitation and provision of safe water supplies, St. Lucia should be considered a candidate for declaration of interruption of human schistosomiasis transmission.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of brucellosis major causative bacteria Brucella abortus and Brucella melitensis is complicating human treatment strategies in the Mediterranean basin, where the disease was first reported and is still endemic. The current meta‐analysis examines the prevalence and patterns of AMR in 119 Brucella abortus and 1344 Brucella melitensis isolates across Mediterranean countries, highlighting significant geographical disparities in resistance data. The E‐test and disc diffusion were mostly used for measuring antimicrobial susceptibility, which was validated by the CLSI guidelines of Haemophilus spp. or bacteria of bioterrorism. Genotypic detection of resistance was conducted in a few studies. Despite the documented burden of brucellosis, studies on AMR remain scarce, particularly in North Africa, the Middle East, and several European Mediterranean nations. Comparative phenotypic–genotypic resistograms were reported in only a few studies, yet they are essential for understanding the mechanisms of AMR in this serious zoonotic pathogen. The analysis revealed a high overall AMR proportion (32%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 16%–51%) with considerable heterogeneity ( I ² = 97%, p < 0.01). Notable differences in resistance were observed between regions, with African Mediterranean countries exhibiting the highest resistance rates (71%, 95% CI: 44%–94%) and European Mediterranean countries the lowest (9%, 95% CI: 0%–42%). Eastern Mediterranean countries exhibited higher resistance rates than their western counterparts ( p = 0.11). Brucella abortus showed higher resistance (63%, 95% CI: 25%–95%) than Brucella melitensis (24%, 95% CI: 8%–43%). Isolates of bovine origin displayed the highest percentage of resistance (89%, 95% CI: 69%–100%) compared to isolates of other origins. Resistance to rifampicin and trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole was generally low, but macrolide resistance, especially to azithromycin, was notably higher in African countries ( p < 0.01). This study underscores the need for standardized AMR surveillance based on Brucella‐specific validation criteria, which are lacking, improved testing methodologies, and region‐specific interventions to address AMR in brucellosis, particularly in livestock, where resistance is more prevalent. The findings highlight the importance of targeted antibiotic stewardship and monitoring to mitigate the spread of resistant Brucella strains and protect public health.

Hyalomma dromedarii ticks are the main hematophagous ectoparasites of camels, harboring a variety of microbes that can affect tick vector competence and pathogen transmission. To better understand the tick microbiome influenced by sex and host habitat, we analyzed the bacterial community of H. dromedarii male and female ticks collected from camel farms, livestock markets, and slaughterhouses, representing the range of major habitats in the UAE, by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene. Tick samples were collected during 2022 and 2023. A total of 40 ticks (male (15), female (15), and nymph (10)) were selected from tick samples collected from camels and processed for genomic DNA and next-generation sequencing using the Illumina MiSeq platform. We obtained 151,168 read counts, and these formed 237 operational taxonomic units representing 11 phyla, 22 classes, 77 families, and 164 genera. The phyla Actinomycetota, Bacillota, Bacteroidota, Pseudomonadota, and Fusobacteriota were the most abundant. The bacterial genus Corynebacterium dominated the microbiomes of farm-collected female H. dromedarii ticks, while Proteus dominated the microbiomes of farm-collected male H. dromedarii ticks. In comparison, the microbiomes of H. dromedarii ticks collected from slaughterhouse samples were dominated by genus Francisella in both males and females. Our results confirm that the bacterial microbiomes of H. dromedarii ticks vary by sex and habitat settings. Furthermore, recent findings could deliver insight into the differences in the ability of camel ticks to acquire, maintain, and transmit pathogens in various habitats that may impact the tick vector competence of medically and agriculturally important species in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and Asia.