BACKGROUND: Tick-borne diseases are a growing public health threat in the United States. Despite the prevalence and rising burden of tick-borne diseases, there are major gaps in baseline knowledge and surveillance efforts for tick vectors, even among vector control districts and public health agencies. To address this issue, an online tick training course (OTTC) was developed through the Southeastern Center of Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases (SECOEVBD) to provide a comprehensive knowledge base on ticks, tick-borne diseases, and their management.
METHODS: The OTTC consisted of training modules covering topics including tick biology, tick identification, tick-borne diseases, and public health, personal tick safety, and tick surveillance. The course was largely promoted to vector control specialists and public health employees throughout the Southeastern US. We collected assessment and survey data on participants to gauge learning outcomes, perceptions of the utility of knowledge gained, and barriers and facilitators to applying the knowledge in the field.
RESULTS: The OTTC was successful in increasing participants\' baseline knowledge across all course subject areas, with the average score on assessment increasing from 62.6% (pre-course) to 86.7% (post-course). More than half of participants (63.6%) indicated that they would definitely use information from the course in their work. Barriers to using information identified in the delayed assessment included lack of opportunities to apply skills (18.5%) and the need for additional specialized training beyond what the OTTC currently offers (18.5%), while the main facilitator (70.4%) for applying knowledge was having opportunities at work, such as an existing tick surveillance program.
CONCLUSIONS: Overall, this OTTC demonstrated capacity to improve knowledge in a necessary and underserved public health field, and more than half of participants use or plan to use the information in their work. The geographic reach of this online resource was much larger than simply for the Southeastern region for which it was designed, suggesting a much broader need for this resource. Understanding the utility and penetrance of training programs such as these is important for refining materials and assessing optimal targets for training.

UNASSIGNED: Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii)-infected livestock and wildlife have been epidemiologically linked to human Q fever outbreaks. Despite this growing zoonotic threat, knowledge of coxiellosis in wild animals remains limited, and studies to understand their epidemiologic role are needed. In C. burnetii-endemic areas, ticks have been reported to harbor and spread C. burnetii and may serve as indicators of risk of infection in wild animal habitats. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare molecular techniques for detecting C. burnetii DNA in ticks.
UNASSIGNED: In total, 169 ticks from wild animals and cattle in wildlife conservancies in northern Kenya were screened for C. burnetii DNA using a conventional PCR (cPCR) and two field-friendly techniques: Biomeme\'s C. burnetii qPCR Go-strips (Biomeme) and a new C. burnetii PCR high-resolution melt (PCR-HRM) analysis assay. Results were evaluated, in the absence of a gold standard test, using Bayesian latent class analysis (BLCA) to characterize the proportion of C. burnetii positive ticks and estimate sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) of the three tests.
UNASSIGNED: The final BLCA model included main effects and estimated that PCR-HRM had the highest Se (86%; 95% credible interval: 56-99%), followed by the Biomeme (Se = 57%; 95% credible interval: 34-90%), with the estimated Se of the cPCR being the lowest (24%, 95% credible interval: 10-47%). Specificity estimates for all three assays ranged from 94 to 98%. Based on the model, an estimated 16% of ticks had C. burnetii DNA present.
UNASSIGNED: These results reflect the endemicity of C. burnetii in northern Kenya and show the promise of the PCR-HRM assay for C. burnetii surveillance in ticks. Further studies using ticks and wild animal samples will enhance understanding of the epidemiological role of ticks in Q fever.

Ticks, like other obligatory blood-feeding arthropods, rely on endosymbiotic bacteria to supplement their diet with B vitamins lacking in blood. It has been suggested that additional metabolites such as L-proline may be involved in this nutritional symbiosis, but this has yet to be tested. Here, we studied the metabolite-based interaction between the brown dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Acari: Ixodidae) and its Coxiella-like endosymbionts (CLE). We measured amino acid titers and tested the effect of B vitamins and L-proline supplementation on the fitness of CLE-suppressed female ticks, displaying low titers of CLE. We found higher titers of L-proline in the symbiont-hosting organs of unfed ticks and in engorged blood-fed whole ticks. Supplementation of B vitamins increased the hatching rate of CLE-suppressed ticks; this effect appears to be stronger when L-proline is added. Our results indicate that L-proline is produced by CLE, and we suggest that CLE is essential in states of high metabolic demand that affects tick reproductive fitness, such as oogenesis and embryonic development. These findings demonstrate the broader effect of nutritional symbionts on their hosts and may potentially contribute to the control of ticks and tick-borne diseases.
OBJECTIVE: Coxiella-like endosymbionts (CLE) are essential to the brown dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus for feeding and reproduction. This symbiosis is based on the supplementation of B vitamins lacking in the blood diet. The involvement of additional metabolites has been suggested, but no experimental evidence is available as yet to confirm a metabolic interaction. Here, we show that B vitamins and L-proline, both of which contribute to tick reproductive fitness, are produced by CLE. These findings demonstrate the importance of symbiont-derived metabolites for the host\'s persistence and shed light on the complex bacteria-host metabolic interaction, which can be channeled to manipulate and control tick populations.

The One Health approach, which integrates the health of humans, animals, plants, and ecosystems at various levels, is crucial for addressing interconnected health threats. This is complemented by the advent of mRNA vaccines, which have revolutionized disease prevention. They offer broad-spectrum effectiveness and can be rapidly customized to target specific pathogens. Their utility extends beyond human medicine, showing potential in veterinary practices to control diseases and reduce the risk of zoonotic transmissions. This review place mRNA vaccines and One Health in the context of tick-borne diseases. The potential of these vaccines to confer cross-species immunity is significant, potentially disrupting zoonotic disease transmission cycles and protecting the health of both humans and animals, while reducing tick populations, infestations and circulation of pathogens. The development and application of mRNA vaccines for tick and tick-borne pathogens represent a comprehensive strategy in global health, fostering a healthier ecosystem for all species in our interconnected world.

BACKGROUND: IgE to galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal) is linked with tick bites and an important cause of anaphylaxis and urticarial reactions to mammalian meat. The \"alpha-gal syndrome\" (AGS) is recognized as being common in the southeastern USA, however prevalence studies are lacking and open questions remain about risk factors and clinical presentation of alpha-gal sensitization.
OBJECTIVE: Here we characterized the prevalence, as well as presentation and risk factors, of AGS and alpha-gal IgE sensitization in adults in central Virginia recruited without regards to history of allergic disease.
METHODS: Adults in central Virginia, primarily University of Virginia Health employees, were recruited as part of a COVID-19 vaccine study. Subjects provided at least one blood sample and answered questionnaires about medical and dietary history. ImmunoCAP was used for IgE assays and ABO blood group was assessed by reverse typing using stored serum. Biobanked serum from COVID-19 patients was also investigated.
RESULTS: Of 267 enrollees, median age was 42, 76% were female and 43 (16%) were sensitized to alpha-gal (cut-off 0.1 IU/mL), of which mammalian meat allergy was reported by 7 (2.6%). Sensitized subjects were i) older, ii) had higher total IgE levels but similar frequency of IgE to common respiratory allergens, and iii) were more likely to report tick bites than non-sensitized subjects. Among those who were sensitized, alpha-gal IgE levels were higher among meat allergic than non-allergic subjects (GM 9.0 vs 0.5 IU/mL, P<0.001). Mammalian meat and dairy consumption was common in individuals with low-level sensitization.
CONCLUSIONS: In central Virginia AGS is a dominant cause of adult food allergy with a prevalence approaching or exceeding 2%.

Symbiosis with intracellular bacteria is essential for the nutrition of ticks, particularly through the biosynthesis of B vitamins. Yet, ticks of the genus Ixodes, which include major vectors of human pathogens, lack the nutritional symbionts usually found in other tick genera. This paradox raises questions about the mechanisms that Ixodes ticks use to prevent nutritional deficiencies. Nonetheless, Ixodes ticks commonly harbor other symbionts belonging to the order Rickettsiales. Although these obligate intracellular bacteria are primarily known as human pathogens, Rickettsiales symbionts often dominate the Ixodes microbial community without causing diseases. They also significantly influence Ixodes physiology, synthesize key B vitamins, and are crucial for immatures. These findings underscore unique associations between Rickettsiales and Ixodes ticks distinct from other tick genera.

UNASSIGNED: Ticks and pathogens they carry seriously impact human and animal health, with some diseases like Lyme and Alpha-gal syndrome posing risks. Searching for health information online can change people\'s health and preventive behaviors, allowing them to face the tick risks. This study aimed to predict the potential risks of tickborne diseases by examining individuals\' online search behavior.
UNASSIGNED: By scrutinizing the search trends across various geographical areas and timeframes within the United States, we determined outdoor activities associated with potential risks of tick-related diseases. Google Trends was used as the data collection and analysis tool due to its accessibility to big data on people\'s online searching behaviors. We interact with vast amounts of population search data and provide inferences between population behavior and health-related phenomena. Data were collected in the United States from April 2022 to March 2023, with some terms about outdoor activities and tick risks.
UNASSIGNED: Results highlighted the public\'s risk susceptibility and severity when participating in activities. Our results found that searches for terms related to tick risk were associated with the five-year average Lyme Disease incidence rates by state, reflecting the predictability of online health searching for tickborne disease risks. Geographically, the results revealed that the states with the highest relative search volumes for tick-related terms were predominantly located in the Eastern region. Periodically, terms can be found to have higher search records during summer. In addition, the results showed that terms related to outdoor activities, such as \"corn maze,\" \"hunting,\" \"u-pick,\" and \"park,\" have moderate associations with tick-related terms. This study provided recommendations for effective communication strategies to encourage the public\'s adoption of health-promoting behaviors. Displaying warnings in the online search results of individuals who are at high risk for tick exposure or collaborating with outdoor activity locations to disseminate physical preventive messages may help mitigate the risks associated with tickborne diseases.

Rickettsia occurs worldwide and rickettsiosis is recognized as an emerging infection in several parts of the world. Ticks are reservoir hosts for pathogenic Rickettsia species in humans and domestic animals. Most pathogenic Rickettsia species belong to the spotted Fever Group (SFG). This study aimed to identify and diagnose tick fauna and investigate the prevalence of Rickettsia spp. in ticks collected from domestic animals and dogs in the rural regions of Kerman Province, Southeast Iran. In this study, tick species (fauna) were identified and 2100 ticks (350 pooled samples) from two genera and species including Rhipicephalus linnaei (1128) and Hyalomma deteritum (972) were tested to detect Rickettsia genus using Real-time PCR. The presence of the Rickettsia genus was observed in 24.9% (95%CI 20.28-29.52) of the pooled samples. Sequencing and phylogenetic analyses revealed the presence of Rickettsia aeschlimannii (48.98%), Rickettsia conorii israelensis (28.57%), Rickettsia sibirica (20.41%), and Rickettsia helvetica (2.04%) in the positive samples. The results showed a significant association between county variables and the following variables: tick spp. (p < 0.001), Rickettsia genus infection in ticks (p < 0.001) and Rickettsia spp. (p < 0.001). In addition, there was a significant association between tick species and host animals (dogs and domestic animals) (p < 0.001), Rickettsia spp infection in ticks (p < 0.001), and Rickettsia spp. (p < 0.001). This study indicates a high prevalence of Rickettsia spp. (SFG) in ticks of domestic animals and dogs in rural areas of Kerman Province. The health system should be informed of the possibility of rickettsiosis and the circulating species of Rickettsia in these areas.

Dugbe virus (DUGV) is a tick-borne arbovirus first isolated in Nigeria in 1964. It has been detected in many African countries using such diverse methods as serological tests, virus isolation, and molecular detection. In Senegal, reports of DUGV isolates mainly occurred in the 1970s and 1980s. Here, we report a contemporary detection of three novel DUGV isolates upon screening of a total of 2877 individual ticks regrouped into 844 pools. The three positive pools were identified as Amblyomma variegatum, the main known vector of DUGV, collected in the southern part of the country (Kolda region). Interestingly, phylogenetic analysis indicates that the newly sequenced isolates are globally related to the previously characterized isolates in West Africa, thus highlighting potentially endemic, unnoticed viral transmission. This study was also an opportunity to develop a rapid and affordable protocol for full-genome sequencing of DUGV using nanopore technology. The results suggest a relatively low mutation rate and relatively conservative evolution of DUGV isolates.

Powassan virus (POWV) is an emerging tick-borne encephalitic virus in Lyme disease-endemic sites in North America. Due to range expansion and local intensification of blacklegged tick vector (Ixodes scapularis) populations in the northeastern and upper midwestern U.S., human encephalitis cases are increasingly being reported. A better understanding of the transmission cycle between POWV and ticks is required in order to better predict and understand their public health burden. Recent phylogeographic analyses of POWV have identified geographical structuring, with well-defined northeastern and midwestern clades of the lineage II subtype. The extent that geographic and genetically defined sublineages differ in their ability to infect and be transmitted by blacklegged ticks is unclear. Accordingly, we determined whether there are strain-dependent differences in the transmission of POWV to ticks at multiple life stages. Five recent, low-passage POWV isolates were used to measure aspects of vector competence, using viremic and artificial infection methods. Infection rates in experimental ticks remained consistent between all five isolates tested, resulting in a 12-20% infection rate and some differences in viral load. We confirm that these differences are likely not due to differences in host viremia. Our results demonstrate that blacklegged ticks are susceptible to, and capable of transmitting, all tested strains and suggest that the tick-virus association is stable across diverse viral genotypes.