In this comprehensive review study, we addressed the challenge posed by ticks and tick-borne diseases (TBDs) with growing incidence affecting human and animal health worldwide. Data and perspectives were collected from different countries and regions worldwide, including America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. The results updated the current situation with ticks and TBD and how it is perceived by society with information bias and gaps. The study reinforces the importance of multidisciplinary and international collaborations to advance in the surveillance, communication and proposed future directions to address these challenges.

Vaccines are the most effective and sustainable intervention to control ticks and tick-borne diseases (TBD). Using a personalized vaccine design based on regional tick genotypes, a Rhipicephalus appendiculatus Subolesin protective antigen was used in a field trial evaluating tick vaccine efficacy, effectiveness, and safety in cattle infested with multiple tick species in different Ugandan agro-ecological zones. Vaccination with SUB was safe with a protective capacity against anemia and infection, and reduced the number of infested cattle, tick fitness (feeding and reproduction) with vaccine effectiveness against multiple tick species between 93.2% at 167-196 days post-vaccination (dpv) and 61.4% at 251–327 dpv. Total integrated vaccine efficacy/effectiveness was estimated as 98.8%. The Subolesin-based vaccine is protective against multiple cattle tick infestations under field conditions in Uganda. These results support registration and commercialization of the vaccine to reduce tick populations and associated risks for human and animal TBD and chemical acaracides in Uganda.

Tick bites and tick-borne diseases (TBDs) are a worldwide concern, with growing evidence of an ongoing spread and emergence of new cases. This study applied a participatory citizen science across Spain and Portugal to gather public perspectives on the impact of tick bites, the presence of TBDs and a potential connection with the α-Gal syndrome (AGS). Data collected from the questionnaire (380 participants) was geographically represented using QGIS Geographic Information System and fitted into multiple generalized linear models (GLMs). Statistical analysis identified factors influencing the occurrence of local skin reactions post-tick bite, AGS-compatible symptoms and visits to health centers following tick exposure. Results showed that the probability of developing localized skin reactions to tick bites rises with increasing age (χ² = 0.006, p < 0.05), the occurrence of multiple bites (χ² = 0.006, p = 0.063) and among individuals bitten in the center-north part of the peninsula (χ² = 0.006, p = 0.058). Seeking medical care following tick bite was reported by 21.6% of respondents, being more common in first-time bite cases (χ² = 0.002, p < 0.01), men (χ² = 0.002, p < 0.01) or individuals presenting localized skin symptoms (χ² = 0.002, p < 0.05). Although 38 inquiries (10.0%) showed signs of AGS, only 3 had received a formal diagnosis, with the odds of developing this disease marginally rising with advancing age (χ² = 0.215, p = 0.066). This study provides valuable insights that should be considered to improve TBDs surveillance and diagnostic strategies, as well as developing preventive measures to reduce tick bite exposure and TBD cases.Key MessagesDeveloping local skin reactions to tick bites increases with age, multiple bites and in individuals bitten in central-northern Iberia.Seeking medical care following a tick bite is more common in first-time bite cases, men or individuals with local skin symptoms.Although 38 inquiries (10.0%) showed signs of AGS, only 3 were formally diagnosed, with risk increasing with age.

Ticks and tick-borne diseases are a growing burden worldwide and vaccines are effective control interventions. Vaccine formulations with tick antigens such as BM86/BM95 (BM) and Subolesin (SUB) have shown reduction in tick fitness and infestation in immunized hosts. However, antigen combination is a challenging approach to improve vaccine efficacy (E) against multiple tick species. Herein, in silico and in music algorithms were integrated to model BM-SUB protein-protein interactions to apply a quantum vaccinology approach for combining protective epitopes or immunological quantum in the chimeric antigen Q38-95. Cattle immunized with Q38-95 and infested with African blue tick Rhipicephalus decoloratus showed an 82% E similar to BM86 and higher than SUB. The immune mechanisms activated in cattle in response to vaccination with Q38-95 were mediated by anti-BM/SUB antibodies that interfered with BM-SUB interactions and through activation of other innate and adaptive immune pathways. The results support modelling protein-protein interactions affecting E to identify and combine candidate protective epitopes in chimeric antigens.

Bovine anaplasmosis is a tick-borne disease caused by Anaplasma marginale, although mechanical transmission by biting flies also occurs. Infection with A. marginale can reach 26% mortality and morbidity is associated with reduced beef and milk production, causing economic losses for livestock producers. Between March 2022 and July 2023, 1920 ticks were collected from 52 cattle production units in major cattle-producing states in Mexico, including Chiapas, Jalisco, Michoacán, Tabasco, and Veracruz. Of all the ticks collected, 35.57% were morphologically identified as Amblyomma mixtum. Samples of A. mixtum from each state, totaling 271, were tested for A. marginale via polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A. marginale was detected molecularly in 15.3% of A. mixtum samples. A. mixtum from Chiapas had the highest prevalence of A. marginale (24.0%), followed by Tabasco and Veracruz (20.0% each), Jalisco (15.2%), and Michoacán (6.6%). Phylogenetic analysis supported the morphological identification of A. mixtum and confirmed the genetic identity of A. marginale. This research is the first report on the molecular detection of A. marginale in A. mixtum ticks in Mexico. Results suggest that this 3-host tick species might be a potential vector. A. mixtum is Mexico’s second most economically significant tick feeding on cattle after Rhipicephalus microplus. This information about A. marginale prevalence in A. mixtum expands our understanding of bovine anaplasmosis epidemiology in Mexico. Further research is needed to assess the role of A. mixtum as a vector of A. marginale.

Ticks are hosts and vectors of zoonotic pathogens, posing a critical threat to public health and the conservation of animal host populations, especially in Northern Africa. Tick-host-pathogen interactions are driven by tick spatial distribution and abundance, and the influence of biotic (animal hosts) and abiotic (environmental conditions) factors. The objectives of this study, conducted in the Maamora Forest (Northwest Morocco), were: (i) description of seasonal interactions network between off-host questing ticks and the wild hosts, rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and addax (Addax nasomaculatus), (ii) analysis of density-dependent and environmental effects in questing and on-rabbit ticks, and (iii) identification of tick-borne pathogens in questing and on-addax ticks. Results showed that questing and on-rabbit ticks (Hyalomma lusitanicum, Rhipicephalus pusillus, and H. aegyptium) presented significant spatial and seasonal differences. Questing ticks were highly abundant in summer, but infestation on rabbits was higher in spring. Spatially, areas with contact between rabbits and ungulates showed the highest tick infestations during summer. Ticks from rabbits were density-dependent and had a positive relationship with questing ticks. Addax was infested by H. lusitanicum ticks. Tick network of interactions resulted in the presence of Coxiella burnetii in both questing and in addax ticks (17–27%), and Rickettsia aeschlimannii in H. lusitanicum questing ticks (4%). These results support that ticks represent a challenge for human and animal health, as well as ecosystems in Northern Africa, emphasizing the need for long-term studies on their network of interactions, seasonal activity patterns, and tick-borne pathogens in wildlife.