Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases最新文献

{"title":"Identification of Rickettsia conorii Indian tick typhus strain in a Patient and an Attached Rhipicephalus turanicus Tick in Xinjiang, China","authors":"Zhongqiu Teng ,&nbsp;Xinting Li ,&nbsp;Li Yang ,&nbsp;Xianxian Zhang ,&nbsp;Na Zhao ,&nbsp;Junrong Liang ,&nbsp;Jia He ,&nbsp;Xue Zhang ,&nbsp;Lupeng Dai ,&nbsp;Xiaobo Lu ,&nbsp;Tian Qin","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2026.102611","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2026.102611","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Rickettsia conorii</em> Indian tick typhus strain (<em>R. conorii</em> subsp. <em>indica,</em> ITTR) was detected in both a human patient and an attached <em>Rhipicephalus turanicus</em> tick that was removed from the patient in Yanqi County, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR), China. The molecular identification of the pathogen, along with previous reports, suggests it may be distributed across the area. A 55-year-old female farmer presented with fever, headache, eschar, and a maculopapular rash following a tick bite. Laboratory findings indicated thrombocytopenia, liver enzyme elevation, and proteinuria, which, combined with clinical symptoms, strongly suggested a rickettsial infection. PCR and sequencing of multiple rickettsial genes confirmed the presence of ITTR in both the patient and the tick. Furthermore, the genetic identity between these sequences provided evidence that <em>R. turanicus</em> can act as a vector of ITTR. This case provides valuable insights into the clinical manifestation, diagnosis, and treatment of ITTR infections. These findings highlight the need for improved surveillance and awareness of tick-borne rickettsial diseases in regions with high tick exposure.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"17 2","pages":"Article 102611"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146132679","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Microbial network stability, not diversity, drives colonization resistance against Borrelia afzelii in Ixodes ricinus ticks","authors":"Lianet Abuin-Denis ,&nbsp;Lourdes Mateos-Hernández ,&nbsp;Apolline Maitre ,&nbsp;Alejandra Wu-Chuang ,&nbsp;Myriam Kratou ,&nbsp;Salma Kaoutar Abdelali ,&nbsp;Ana Laura Cano-Argüelles ,&nbsp;Štefánia Skičková ,&nbsp;Dasiel Obregon ,&nbsp;Alina Rodríguez-Mallon ,&nbsp;Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2026.102613","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2026.102613","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Most tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) are acquired secondarily, when ticks feed on infected hosts, meaning the pathogen must establish itself within an already assembled microbiota. These scenarios are subject to “priority effects,” where the order of microbial arrival influences the success of later colonizers. Microbial interactions within arthropod vectors can therefore shape infection outcomes, producing either infection-refractory states, where resident microbes and their interactions reduce the likelihood of pathogen establishment, or infection-permissive states, where such barriers are absent or weakened and the pathogen establishes infection successfully. Hamilton et al. (2021) assessed larval microbiota before pathogen exposure and sequenced the microbiota of fed nymphs, both exposed or not to <em>Borrelia afzelii</em>, enabling priority-effect hypotheses to be tested. Despite uniform exposure to the highly infectious <em>B. afzelii</em> strain NE4049, only a subset of ticks became <em>Borrelia</em>-positive, suggesting refractory and permissive microbiota states. We reanalyzed the original dataset to test whether differences in microbiome community assembly and co-occurrence network features, beyond diversity metrics, were associated with these states. Refractory nymph networks exhibited higher connectivity and structural resilience, with <em>Staphylococcus</em> emerging as a central taxon already present in unfed larvae. In contrast, permissive networks showed reduced robustness and a marginal role for <em>Staphylococcus</em>. Notably, dysbiosis altered microbial assembly but did not prevent network reconfiguration in refractory ticks. Our findings suggest that colonization resistance is better explained by microbial network integrity than by diversity alone. Methodologically, they show that integrating community assembly theory and network analyses can reveal key features of the tick microbiota associated with vector competence.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"17 2","pages":"Article 102613"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146203510","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Experimental evidence for milk-borne transmission of tick-borne encephalitis virus to suckling lambs","authors":"Katrine M Paulsen ,&nbsp;Maria J Diekmann ,&nbsp;Malene S Dieseth ,&nbsp;Arnulf Soleng ,&nbsp;Petra Strakova ,&nbsp;Jiří Salát ,&nbsp;Daniel Růžek ,&nbsp;Karen A Krogfelt ,&nbsp;Erik G Granquist ,&nbsp;Rose Vikse ,&nbsp;Snorre Stuen ,&nbsp;Åshild K Andreassen","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2026.102609","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2026.102609","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is a medically important orthoflavivirus endemic across Europe and Asia, transmitted primarily by <em>Ixodes</em> ticks but also through ingestion of unpasteurized milk from infected ruminants. While milk-borne human infections are well documented, experimental evidence for natural mother-to-offspring transmission in livestock remains scarce. Here, we experimentally assessed the potential for lactogenic transmission of TBEV in sheep. Eight ewes were infected subcutaneously with the European subtype TBEV strain Hochosterwitz and co-housed with 16 three-week-old lambs (two per ewe) for an 18-day observation period. Clinical parameters, hematology, and virological and serological profiles were monitored. All animals remained asymptomatic, with no hematological abnormalities. TBEV RNA was detected in ewes’ serum and milk from day one post-infection, and in lamb serum from day five. Virus-specific antibodies emerged in ewes from day four and in lambs from day 13. These findings provide direct experimental evidence that TBEV can be transmitted via milk from ewes to their suckling lambs throughout the lactation period, underscoring a potential but underappreciated route for virus transmission in endemic areas.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"17 2","pages":"Article 102609"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146138069","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Seroprevalence and seroconversion of Lyme borreliosis among tick-bitten individuals: A multi-assay serosurveillance study","authors":"Rodanthi Zindrili ,&nbsp;Malin Lager ,&nbsp;Megan Simpson ,&nbsp;Ayham Alnabulsi ,&nbsp;Christopher J. Secombes ,&nbsp;Anna Jonsson Henningsson ,&nbsp;Robin Brittain-Long ,&nbsp;Abdo Alnabulsi ,&nbsp;Tiehui Wang ,&nbsp;Per-Eric Lindgren","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2026.102618","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2026.102618","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Lyme borreliosis (LB), caused by different species belonging to the <em>Borrelia burgdorferi</em> sensu lato group, is the most common tick-borne disease in Europe. However, its true burden remains difficult to assess, partly due to the diagnostic variability of commercial assays. This study evaluated seroprevalence and seroconversion following tick bite, using four serological assays with distinct antigenic compositions. Participants provided blood samples within three days of the tick bite and three months after to assess seroconversion. We evaluated the seroprevalence, seroconversion, inter-assay variation, consensus scoring, and factors affecting the detection rate for both seroprevalence and seroconversion.</div><div>Seroprevalence evaluation varied across the four serology assays: 33% using Anti-<em>Borrelia</em> plus VlsE (ABV), 26% using Epitogen™ Lyme (Epitogen), 22% using C6 Lyme ELISA (C6) and 10% using IDEIA™ <em>B. burgdorferi</em> (IDEIA). Estimation of overall seroconversion rates also differed: C6 had the highest rate (93%), followed by Epitogen (78%), ABV (58%) and IDEIA (38%). Using a consensus scoring approach that required positivity of at least two assays (including immunoblot) yielded a seropositivity rate of 23% at inclusion and an overall seroconversion rate of 86%. The Epitogen assay showed the highest level of concordance with the consensus score, followed by C6, ABV, and IDEIA assays.</div><div>Seroprevalence and seroconversion estimates in LB are highly assay-dependent. Assay choice significantly influenced outcome, mainly reflecting differences in antigen composition. This study underscores the importance of evaluating the antigen composition used in assays to ensure accurate result interpretation, particularly in the context of potential species variability across differing geographical regions. The use of consensus scoring across complementary multi-assays, or the implementation of well-designed assays with appropriate antigen coverage, offers a pathway to improved diagnostic accuracy and enhanced comparability.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"17 2","pages":"Article 102618"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146191990","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A nationwide seroprevalence study of Francisella tularensis in Denmark","authors":"Freja Gustafsson ,&nbsp;Lasse Fjordside ,&nbsp;Lene Holm Harritshøj ,&nbsp;Bitten Aagaard Jensen ,&nbsp;Christian Erikstrup ,&nbsp;Dorte Kinggaard Holm ,&nbsp;Susanne Gjørup Sækmose ,&nbsp;Karen Angeliki Krogfelt ,&nbsp;Charlotte Sværke Jørgensen ,&nbsp;Helene Mens ,&nbsp;Anne-Mette Lebech","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2026.102625","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2026.102625","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div><em>Francisella tularensis</em> is the causative agent of tularaemia. The incidence of tularaemia has increased in Europe in recent years. Due to the non-specific symptoms and diverse clinical manifestations, potential underreporting may exist. Additionally, the recent expansion in tick-borne pathogens could have increased the risk of <em>F. tularensis</em> transmission. We therefore aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of <em>F. tularensis</em> in Danish blood donors and tick-exposed individuals.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Plasma samples from healthy blood donors collected in 2022 (n=999) from all five administrative regions in Denmark, samples from blood donors from the Capital region collected in 2024 (n=200), and samples from tick-exposed individuals diagnosed with Lyme borreliosis (n=200), were screened for <em>F. tularensis</em> IgG using a commercial ELISA test. Positive samples for IgG were further tested using an in-house agglutination diagnostic assay measuring total <em>F. tularensis</em> antibodies and tested for <em>Brucella</em> antibodies to control for cross-reactivity.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 31/1399 samples were confirmed for <em>F. tularensis</em> antibodies resulting in an overall seroprevalence of 2.2% (CI [1.5;3.3]). All <em>F. tularensis</em> positive samples were negative for <em>Brucella</em> antibodies. The seroprevalence ranged from 1.0%-4.0% within the Danish regions with no significant regional differences. In the Capital region the seroprevalence was 1.0% in 2022 compared to 2.5% in 2024 (P-value 0.45). No significant difference in seroprevalence between blood donors and tick-exposed individuals was observed.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The seroprevalence of <em>F. tularensis</em> in Denmark was modest and comparable to other European countries. The study indicates that tularaemia may be underdiagnosed in Denmark.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"17 2","pages":"Article 102625"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147449155","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ornithodoros kalahariensis, a potential vector for Candidatus Borrelia kalaharica","authors":"Volker Fingerle ,&nbsp;Heidelore Hofmann ,&nbsp;Christine Hartberger ,&nbsp;Gabriele Margos","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2026.102620","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2026.102620","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Candidatus</em> Borrelia kalaharica was proposed as bacterial species in 2016 using DNA extracted from a traveller returning from Southern Africa. We investigated DNA of three soft ticks collected in the Kalahari Game Reserve near Maun, Botswana via PCR. One of the DNA extracts yielded positive results for four <em>Borrelia</em> multilocus sequence typing (MLST) genes with allele sequences closely or exactly matching alleles of <em>Ca</em>. B. kalaharica. Sequencing of PCR products targeting the <em>Ornithodoros</em> 16S rRNA gene revealed closest matches (99 - 100% coverages, &gt;99.7 % identity) to <em>Ornithodoros kalahariensis</em>. Thus, we suggest that <em>Ornithodoros kalahariensis</em> is a potential vector for this <em>Borrelia</em> species.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"17 2","pages":"Article 102620"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147322403","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Trypanosoma vespertilionis detected but not Spiroplasma ixodetis in Carios vespertilionis (short-legged bat ticks) collected in Sweden","authors":"Hanna Hägring ,&nbsp;Ella Hällnäs ,&nbsp;Per-Eric Lindgren ,&nbsp;Malin Lager ,&nbsp;Peter Wilhelmsson","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2026.102623","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2026.102623","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>From a One Health perspective, ticks play a key role as vectors of infectious agents, whereas bats can act both as hosts for ticks and as reservoirs of the agents, thereby contributing to transmission of infection. In Sweden, the argasid (soft) tick <em>Carios vespertilionis</em>, which is associated with the soprano pipistrelle (<em>Pipistrellus pygmaeus</em>), is the only known bat-associated tick species. Our study investigated <em>Trypanosoma</em> species and <em>Spiroplasma ixodetis</em> in <em>C. vespertilionis</em>, assessing the potential role of this tick species as a vector. A total of 78 ticks, collected in 2015 and 2018, representing all active developmental stages, were analysed using real-time PCR, and positive samples were subsequently subjected to further molecular examination. <em>Trypanosoma</em> DNA was detected in 22 ticks, with sequence analyses confirming the species as <em>Trypanosoma vespertilionis</em>. No samples tested positive for <em>S. ixodetis</em>. These findings provide molecular evidence of <em>T. vespertilionis</em> in <em>C. vespertilionis</em> in Sweden, showing that soft ticks can naturally harbour <em>Trypanosoma</em> species. The observed increase in prevalence across tick developmental stages suggests an accumulative effect of repeated blood-feeding, which could indicate some level of parasite persistence. Nevertheless, <em>Trypanosoma</em> DNA may originate from ingested host blood rather than established infection, and any potential vector role of this tick species should therefore be interpreted with caution.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"17 2","pages":"Article 102623"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147379355","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Distribution of tick-borne microorganisms in human-biting ticks in France collected through a Citizen-science program","authors":"Jonas Durand ,&nbsp;Thierno-Madiou Bah ,&nbsp;Isabelle Lebert ,&nbsp;Clémence Galon ,&nbsp;Irene Carravieri ,&nbsp;Sébastien Masseglia ,&nbsp;Jean-Marc Armand ,&nbsp;Julien Marchand ,&nbsp;Cyril Galley ,&nbsp;Karine Chalvet-Monfray ,&nbsp;Muriel Vayssier-Taussat ,&nbsp;Gwenaël Vourc’h ,&nbsp;Annick Brun-Jacob ,&nbsp;Sara Moutailler ,&nbsp;Xavier Bailly ,&nbsp;Pascale Frey-Klett","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2026.102612","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2026.102612","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ticks occupy diverse habitats, increasing the risk of human exposure. Assessing the public health threat posed by ticks requires rigorous monitoring of their distribution and of the prevalence of tick-borne pathogens. In France since 2017, the citizen science program CiTIQUE monitors human tick bites through multiple complementary approaches. Citizens can report bites and submit biting ticks to a national tick bank for research and surveillance. This study aimed to investigate human exposure to tick-borne microorganisms including pathogens across France, using ticks submitted through the CiTIQUE program. In total, 2009 ticks were selected from the CiTIQUE tick bank, identified, and screened for microorganisms using a real-time microfluidic PCR method. Most bites involved <em>Ixodes ricinus</em> nymphs except in Mediterranean regions where <em>Dermacentor</em> and <em>Rhipicephalus</em> ticks were more common. Twenty-six microorganisms were detected, eighteen of which are potentially pathogenic to humans. These pathogens were widely distributed across the country. <em>Borrelia</em> spp. were the most frequently detected pathogens with spatial variation among regions. <em>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</em> infection rates varied from region to region. <em>Neoehrlichia mikurensis</em> was found in seven out of twelve French regions. <em>Rickettsia</em> species diversity was highest in the southeast, associated with a greater diversity of vectors. Five percent of ticks were infected with more than one pathogen. Although spatial heterogeneity was observed, no region was free of infected ticks. This study demonstrates the power of citizen science for nationwide surveillance of tick-borne pathogens, providing a large-scale overview of pathogen diversity and distribution across France from crowdsourced tick data.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"17 2","pages":"Article 102612"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146138094","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of host immune responses following immunization with MSP4 antigen adsorbed onto poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) microparticles in a BALB/c murine model","authors":"Elsje Christine Rabie ,&nbsp;Almudena González-García ,&nbsp;Marinela Contreras ,&nbsp;Mohamed Deifallah Yousif ,&nbsp;José de la Fuente ,&nbsp;Sudaxshina Murdan ,&nbsp;Christian Stutzer ,&nbsp;Christine Maritz-Olivier","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2026.102619","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2026.102619","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Tick-borne diseases lead to millions of dollars in losses annually in livestock and associated industries. The tick-borne bacterium <em>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</em> causes diseases in most livestock and has demonstrated zoonosis. Currently there are no effective prophylaxes against this bacterium. MSP4 (major surface protein 4) has been identified as a promising vaccine candidate. Currently, data on the expression of this antigen in tick and host cells is lacking to establish it as an antigen accessible to the host immune response. When designing a vaccine against <em>Anaplasma</em>, it must be considered that the life cycle includes both free circulating and intracellular stages, and as such both Th1 and Th2 responses will most likely be needed for protection. This study provides evidence of the expression of MSP4 on tick and host cells, as well as T and B cell responses following immunisation with soluble and MSP4 coated PLGA microparticles in a murine model (BALB/c mice). This paves the way forward to rational improvement of vaccines against <em>Anaplasma</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"17 2","pages":"Article 102619"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147285705","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ticks in the landscape: Fragmentation impacts density of Europe’s principal tick-borne disease vector, Ixodes ricinus, across Germany","authors":"Andrea Springer ,&nbsp;Olaf Kahl ,&nbsp;Nina Król ,&nbsp;Martin Pfeffer ,&nbsp;Lidia Chitimia-Dobler ,&nbsp;Alexander Lindau ,&nbsp;Ute Mackenstedt ,&nbsp;Christina Strube","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2026.102621","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2026.102621","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) constitute a considerable challenge for human and animal health. Understanding the driving forces of TBD risk is key to developing effective prevention strategies, particularly in light of human-nature interfaces or increasing anthropogenic land transformation. Landscape features may influence local tick abundance by modulating biotic and abiotic conditions and tick host space use. The present country-wide study analysed the relationship of landscape composition with the local density of the most important TBD vector in Europe, <em>Ixodes ricinus</em>, determined at 83 sites across Germany during 2018−2020. Land cover data were analysed within a 500-m, 1000-m, and 2500-m buffer around the 83 tick collection sites. Additionally, satellite images were used for a more accurate assessment of habitat fragmentation, edge habitat, and the presence of paved streets in the 500-m buffer. Generalised linear mixed models were constructed, including meteorological variables to account for regional differences in climate. A higher fragmentation index and an increasing proportion of coniferous forest within the 500-m buffer were associated with significantly lower questing <em>I. ricinus</em> nymph density. In the subset of sites dominated by total forest or shrub cover within the 500-m buffer, the cumulative length of paved streets also had a significant negative impact. At the same time, increasing broad-leaved forest within the 1000-m buffer and total forest cover within the 2500-m buffer were additional significant predictors of lower tick density. These contrasting patterns detected at different spatial scales may indicate that <em>I. ricinus</em> thrives most in forest patches of intermediate size that form a heterogeneous landscape mosaic with agricultural or urban areas.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"17 2","pages":"Article 102621"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147349422","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}