Gabriel Abakundana Nsenga Ariston, Wang Xiao-Yang, Zu Guo-Yao, Zhen Pei-Yu, Jamil Laila, Shen Shi-Jing, Li Cheng, Theoneste Ntakirutimana, Zhao Lin, Cao Wu-Chun
Institute of EcoHealth, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, 100071, People's Republic of China.
Infect Dis Poverty. 2025 May 22;14(1):39. doi: 10.1186/s40249-025-01310-y.
The continuous geographic expansion of ticks and the emergence of tick-borne diseases have raised tremendous global public health concerns, particularly in the East African Community (EAC). This study aimed to investigate the distribution of ticks and tick-associated microbes and to predict the potential extension of dominant tick species in the EAC.
Data were collected from literature reviews and related websites and analyzed using ArcGIS to generate maps showing the geographical distribution of ticks and associated microbes. Meta-analyses were conducted to estimate the positive rates of microbes. Ecological niche modelling was used to project the potential expansion of predominant tick species.
A total of 138 tick species were recorded in the seven EAC countries, including five genera of the Argasidae family, eight of the Ixodidae family, and monospecific Nuttalliellidae. Overall, 64 tick-associated microbes, including 22 viruses, 26 bacteria, and 16 protists, were identified, of which 43 (11 viruses, 21 bacteria, and 11 protists) were pathogenic to humans or animals. Among them, 5 (2 viruses and 3 bacteria) have been reported in humans, while 10 pathogens (1 virus, 4 bacteria, and 5 protists) have been reported in animals. The predictive model identified suitable habitats for four dominant tick species, with certain species flourishing under ideal conditions, such as elevation, temperature, and vegetation. Our study revealed that ticks might affect broader areas where they have never been previously reported.
Ticks are widely prevalent in the EAC, and some ticks harbor a variety of microbial agents that can have significant pathogenetic implications for human and animal health. Therefore, EAC authorities and medical personnel should acknowledge the potential threat posed by ticks and tick-associated pathogens to the well-being of people and animals. Surveillance and etiological diagnosis should be enhanced to control ticks and prevent tick-borne infections.
蜱虫的持续地理扩张以及蜱传疾病的出现引发了巨大的全球公共卫生担忧，尤其是在东非共同体（EAC）。本研究旨在调查蜱虫及与蜱虫相关微生物的分布，并预测东非共同体主要蜱种的潜在扩展范围。
从文献综述和相关网站收集数据，并使用ArcGIS进行分析，以生成显示蜱虫及相关微生物地理分布的地图。进行荟萃分析以估计微生物的阳性率。利用生态位建模来预测主要蜱种的潜在扩展范围。
在东非共同体的七个国家共记录到138种蜱虫，包括软蜱科的五个属、硬蜱科的八个属以及单属的纳氏蜱科。总体而言，鉴定出64种与蜱虫相关的微生物，包括22种病毒、26种细菌和16种原生生物，其中43种（11种病毒、21种细菌和11种原生生物）对人类或动物具有致病性。其中，有5种（2种病毒和3种细菌）已在人类中报道，而有10种病原体（1种病毒、4种细菌和5种原生生物）已在动物中报道。预测模型确定了四种主要蜱种的适宜栖息地，某些蜱种在诸如海拔、温度和植被等理想条件下繁衍旺盛。我们的研究表明，蜱虫可能会影响到它们以前从未被报道过的更广泛地区。
蜱虫在东非共同体广泛流行，一些蜱虫携带多种微生物病原体，可能对人类和动物健康产生重大致病影响。因此，东非共同体当局和医务人员应认识到蜱虫及与蜱虫相关的病原体对人类和动物健康构成的潜在威胁。应加强监测和病因诊断，以控制蜱虫并预防蜱传感染。
