Tick-Borne Pathogen Surveillance and Disease Ecology

Tick-borne pathogen surveillance integrates field sampling, laboratory diagnostics and ecological modelling to detect and monitor the agents responsible for diseases such as Lyme borreliosis, tick-borne encephalitis and emerging viral fevers. Disease ecology examines the interactions among ticks, vertebrate hosts and pathogens within landscapes shaped by climate, land use and human activity. Advances in molecular biology have enabled high-throughput detection of bacterial, protozoan and viral agents in questing and feeding ticks, while genomic analyses of vector species have illuminated mechanisms of host attachment, prolonged feeding and immune evasion. Geospatial mapping and remote sensing inform predictive models of tick distribution, revealing range expansion in response to warming temperatures and changing habitats. Effective surveillance underpins risk assessment, guiding public health interventions ranging from vaccine development and acaricide application to community engagement and habitat management. A One Health perspective emphasises the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health, recognising that shifts in wildlife populations, land management and climate can alter pathogen transmission cycles. Together, these approaches aim to reduce the global burden of tick-borne disease by identifying hotspots, anticipating emergence and informing targeted control strategies.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have used meta-transcriptome sequencing to characterise the RNA virome of over thirty tick species across diverse regions, revealing more than 1,800 viral genomes. This work demonstrates that ticks harbour both specialist viruses restricted to particular species and generalist viruses capable of infecting vertebrate hosts, and it provides a reference dataset for future investigations of zoonotic risk.

Genomic sequencing of the black-legged tick has produced a high-coverage draft genome that uncovers gene families linked to host perception, questing behaviour and prolonged blood feeding. Annotation of over 20,000 protein-coding genes has highlighted expansions in gene clusters associated with cuticle synthesis, haem detoxification and salivary proteins that modulate host immunity, offering insights into vector competence and novel targets for intervention.

Biophysical analysis of a glycine-rich adhesive protein in tick saliva has revealed that liquid–liquid phase separation drives the formation of a cement-like matrix at the feeding site. Ageing of these condensates into gel-like structures under physiological salt conditions explains the remarkable adherence of feeding ticks and suggests avenues for disrupting attachment and reducing pathogen transmission.

Tick-Borne Pathogen Surveillance and Disease Ecology publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in tick-borne pathogen surveillance and disease ecology across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Metagenomics: High-throughput sequencing of genetic material from environmental samples to detect and characterise multiple pathogens simultaneously.

Virome: The complete collection of viral genomes present within a host or ecological niche, including both known and novel viruses.

Vector competence: The intrinsic ability of a tick species to acquire, maintain and transmit a specific pathogen to a vertebrate host.

Reservoir host: A vertebrate species that harbours a pathogen with sufficient replication to sustain transmission cycles without manifesting severe disease.

One Health: An integrative approach recognising the interdependence of human, animal and ecosystem health in the study and management of infectious diseases.

References

1. Metavirome of 31 tick species provides a compendium of 1,801 RNA virus genomes. Nature Microbiology (2023).
2. Genomic insights into the Ixodes scapularis tick vector of Lyme disease. Nature Communications (2016).
3. Phase separation and ageing of glycine-rich protein from tick adhesive. Nature Chemistry (2024).
4. Vital Signs: Trends in Reported Vectorborne Disease Cases — United States and Territories, 2004–2016. MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (2018).
5. Range Expansion of Tick Disease Vectors in North America: Implications for Spread of Tick-Borne Disease. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2018).