Pathogen-tick-host interactions: Borrelia burgdorferi and TBE virus

doi:10.1016/S0934-8840(99)80002-4

Zentralblatt für Bakteriologie

Volume 289, Issues 5–7, December 1999, Pages 492-505

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0934-8840(99)80002-4 Get rights and content

Summary

Both tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus and Borrelia burgdorferi depend for their survival on a tick-borne transmission cycle involving diverse vertebrate hosts and ixodid (primarily Ixodes) tick species. Increasing evidence strongly suggests that a key factor in successful transmission is the ability of these pathogens to exploit the pharmacological properties of their vector tick's saliva. Proteins and other chemicals, secreted in tick saliva, control the vertebrate hosts' haemostatic, inflammatory and immune responses in order to facilitate blood-feeding. Such bioactive saliva molecules include immunoglobulin-binding proteins, histamine-binding proteins, natural killer cell and interferon regulators, and complement inhibitors. By unravelling the contents of tick saliva and understanding their interactions with host and pathogen, we may identify new strategies for disease control.

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A number of tick-borne diseases of humans have increased in incidence and geographic range over the past few decades, and there is concern that they will pose an even greater threat to public health in future. Although global warming is often cited as the underlying mechanism favoring the spread of tick-borne diseases, climate is just one of many factors that determine which tick species are found in a given geographic region, their population density, the likelihood that they will be infected with microbes pathogenic for humans and the frequency of tick–human contact. This article provides basic information needed for microbiologists to understand the many factors that affect the geographic range and population density of ticks and the risk of human exposure to infected ticks. It first briefly summarizes the life cycle and basic ecology of ticks and how ticks and vertebrate hosts interact, then reviews current understanding of the role of climate, sociodemographic factors, agricultural development and changes in human behavior that affect the incidence of tick-borne diseases. These concepts are then illustrated in specific discussions of tick-borne encephalitis and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever.
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They are vectors of important pathogens causing severe human and animal diseases (de la Fuente et al., 2008). The hard tick Ixodes ricinus is the most important disease vector in Europe, transmitting tick-borne encephalitis virus and the Lyme disease spirochaetes Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Nuttall, 1999). Host blood is the ultimate source of energy and nutrients needed for all physiological processes and completion of the tick life cycle (Sonenshine, 1991).
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Pathogen-tick-host interactions: Borrelia burgdorferi and TBE virus

Summary

J. Parasitol

Virology

Virology

Exp. Parasitol.

Immunol. Lets.

Mol. Cell

Exp. Parasitol.

Parasitol. Today

Exp. Parasitol.

Exp. Parasitol.

Virus Res.

Parasitol. Today

Parasitol. Today

Passage of host serum components, including antibody, across the digestive tract of Dermacentor variabius (Say)

J. Parasitol

Possible role of Ixodidae salivary gland substrate as an adjuvant enhancing arbovirus transmission

Medit. Parazitol. Parazit. Bol

The location of tick salivary antigens, complement and immunoglobulin in the skin of guinea-pigs infested with Dermacentor andersoni larvae

Immunol

Development of a natural model of cutaneous leishmaniasis: powerful effects of vector saliva and saliva preexposure on the long-term outcome of Leishmania maior infection in the mouse ear dermis

J. Exp. Med

Quantitative studies of host immunoglobulin G passage into the haemocoel of the tick Amblyomma americanum and Dermacentor variabilis

Anatomical basis of Thogoto virus infection in BHK cell culture and in the ixodid tick vector, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus

J. Gen. Virol

Rabbits infested with adult Ixodes ricinus L.: effects of mepyramine on acquired resistance

Experientia

Passage of haemolysins through the midgut epithelium of female Ixodes ricinus L

fed on rabbits infected or reinfected with ticks. Experientia

Histamine as a mediator of allergic and inflammatory reactions

Mosquito feeding-induced enhancement of Cache Valley virus (Bunyaviridae) infection in mice

J. Med. Entomol

Seeking wisdom in innate immunity

Nature

Passage of host serum components, including antibodies specific for Theileria sergenti, across the digestive tract of argasid and ixodid ticks

Annals Trop. Med. Parasitol

Efficient transmission of Borrelia burgdorferi between cofeeding Ixodes ricinus ticks (Acari: Ixodidae)

J. Med. Entomol

Transmission of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus in two species of Hyalomma ticks from infected adults to cofeeding immature forms

Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg

Tick salivary glands extracts promote virus growth in vitro

Parasitology

Paralysis of interferon antiviral action by tick salivary gland extract

Parasite Immunol.

Isolation and characterization of a thrombin inhibitor from the tick Ixodes ricinus

Pharmazie

A novel mode of arbovirus transmission involving a nonviraemic host

Science

Enhancement of virus transmission by tick salivary glands

J. Gen. Virol