Perumalsamy Nandhini, Sharma Rohit, Subramanian Muthukumaravel, Nagarajan Shriram Ananganallur
Division of Vector Biology and Control, Indian Council of Medical Research-Vector Control Research Centre (ICMR-VCRC), Puducherry 605006, India.
Pathogens. 2024 Jul 2;13(7):556. doi: 10.3390/pathogens13070556.
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.
硬蜱（蜱科）在传播各种蜱传疾病（TBDs）中起着关键作用，对人类和动物健康构成重大全球威胁。气候因素影响蜱媒的数量、多样性和传播能力。全面了解硬蜱、病原体、生态流行病学以及气候变化对蜱传疾病传播动态的影响至关重要。硬蜱的分布和生命周期模式受多种生态因素影响，而这些因素又可能受到气候变化的影响，导致蜱媒范围和地理分布的扩大。传播能力是传播能力的一个关键方面，涉及蜱获取、维持和传播病原体的能力。硬蜱通过有效地吸食各种宿主并通过其唾液操纵宿主的免疫力，成为多种病原体（如病毒、寄生虫和细菌）的有效传播媒介。这种能力显著影响病原体传播的成功。进一步探索遗传多样性、种群结构和杂交蜱媒至关重要，因为它们在影响传播能力和使蜱传疾病动态复杂化方面发挥着重要作用。这篇综述探讨了印度重要的蜱传疾病，并深入了解了作为传播媒介的硬蜱、它们的生物学特性以及影响其传播能力的因素。鉴于蜱传疾病继续对全球健康构成重大威胁，该综述强调了研究蜱控制策略和推进疫苗开发的紧迫性。特别关注种群遗传学在理解蜱种群遗传多样性以及提供其对环境变化适应性的重要见解方面所起的关键作用。
