The Mosquito Microbiota: A Key Player in Vector Competence and Disease Dynamics.

Mosquitoes are well-known vectors for a range of pathogens, including parasites, which cause malaria in reptiles, birds, and mammals [...

Recognizing a Silent Threat: Canine Ehrlichiosis and Rickettsiosis in Northern Portugal.

Vector-borne diseases pose significant challenges for both animal and public health worldwide [...

Antiplasmodial Activity of Probiotic YZ01 in ANKA Infected BALB/c Mice.

Malaria remains a significant global health challenge, with the deadliest infections caused by . In light of the escalating drug resistance and the limited effectiveness of available vaccines, innovative treatment approaches are urgently needed. This study explores the potential of the probiotic YZ01, isolated from traditionally fermented kindirmo milk, to modify host responses to ANKA infection.

Differential impact of infection on the microbiota of and .

The Western honey bee () is a vital agricultural pollinator whose populations are threatened by the parasitic mite destructor and associated pathogens. While the impact of species on honey bees, particularly larvae causing American foulbrood, is documented, their effect on the microbiota of mites remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the influence of sp.

Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus Infection in a Two-Year-Old Child Returning from Switzerland (July-August 2023): Is It Time for TBE Immunization of Serbian Travelers?

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a vaccine-preventable viral infection that poses significant public health challenges, particularly in regions where tick-borne diseases are endemic. This case report describes a 2-year-old boy with confirmed abortive TBEV infection following a tick bite during travel to Switzerland. The patient developed fever and mild symptoms but did not exhibit central nervous system involvement.

in C3H/HeN mice: A model for studying pathogen-host interactions.

An infection with the tick-borne has been associated with a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations in humans, but patients are only seldomly reported. Understanding its disease etiology necessitates well-stablished infection models, improving to recognize and diagnose patients with infection and facilitating the development of effective control strategies. In this study, we used C3H/HeN mice as a model to establish infection, achieving a high infection prevalence (89-100 %).

Differential interactions of Rickettsia species with tick microbiota in Rh. sanguineus and Rh. turanicus.

Tick-borne rickettsioses, caused by Gram-negative bacteria of the Rickettsia genus, pose a growing global threat, with various arthropod vectors contributing to their transmission. Understanding the complex interactions within tick microbiota, including the role of Rickettsia species, is crucial for elucidating the dynamics of rickettsial diseases. Here, we investigate the taxonomic profiles and co-occurrence networks of Rickettsia in Rh.

Functional redundancy and niche specialization in honeybee and Varroa microbiomes.

The honeybee (Apis mellifera) is a key pollinator critical to global agriculture, facing threats from various stressors, including the ectoparasitic Varroa mite (Varroa destructor). Previous studies have identified shared bacteria between Varroa mites and honeybees, yet it remains unclear if these bacteria assemble similarly in both species. This study builds on existing knowledge by investigating co-occurrence patterns in the microbiomes of both Varroa mites and honeybees, shedding light on potential interactions.

Microbiota-driven vaccination in soft ticks: Implications for survival, fitness and reproductive capabilities in Ornithodoros moubata.

The Ornithodoros moubata (Om) soft tick, a vector for diseases like tick-borne human relapsing fever and African swine fever, poses challenges to conventional control methods. With diminishing insecticide efficacy, harnessing the tick's microbiota through innovative approaches like microbiota-driven vaccination emerges as a promising strategy for sustainable and targeted disease control. This study investigated the intricate relationship between Pseudomonas, a keystone taxon in the Om microbiome, and its impact on tick fitness, microbiome structure and network dynamics.

Tick-borne diseases at the crossroads of the Middle East and central Europe.

Objectives: The Balkan Peninsula, acting as a crossroad between central Europe and the Middle East, presents diverse ecosystems supporting various tick species capable of transmitting TBDs. This study focuses on Serbia and North Macedonia, both endemic for TBDs, aiming to investigate human-biting ticks' prevalence, TBD prevalence, and major TBPs in blood samples.

Patients And Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in 2022 at two medical centers, involving 45 patients from Novi Sad, Serbia, and 17 patients from Skopje, North Macedonia.

Co-infection dynamics of and TBEV in C3H mice: insights and implications for future research.

Ticks are important vectors of disease, particularly in the context of One Health, where tick-borne diseases (TBDs) are increasingly prevalent worldwide. TBDs often involve co-infections, where multiple pathogens co-exist in a single host. Patients with chronic Lyme disease often have co-infections with other bacteria or parasites.

Differential nested patterns of Anaplasma marginale and Coxiella-like endosymbiont across Rhipicephalus microplus ontogeny.

Understanding the intricate ecological interactions within the microbiome of arthropod vectors is crucial for elucidating disease transmission dynamics and developing effective control strategies. In this study, we investigated the ecological roles of Coxiella-like endosymbiont (CLE) and Anaplasma marginale across larval, nymphal, and adult stages of Rhipicephalus microplus. We hypothesized that CLE would show a stable, nested pattern reflecting co-evolution with the tick host, while A.

Blood Group Variations in COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma and Regular Blood Donors: A Comparative Analysis in the Serbian Population.

This research explores the association between ABO blood groups and susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection, analyzing Convalescent COVID-19 plasma (CCP) donors ( = 500) and healthy whole blood donors (BDs) ( = 9678) during the pandemic (1 May 2020 to 30 April 2021). A comparison is made with pre-pandemic BDs ( = 11,892) from 1 May 2018 to 30 April 2019. Significant differences in blood group distribution are observed, with blood group A individuals being three times more likely to be CCP donors.

Exploring the impact of breast cancer on colonization resistance of mouse microbiota using network node manipulation.

Breast cancer, a global health concern affecting women, has been linked to alterations in the gut microbiota, impacting various aspects of human health. This study investigates the interplay between breast cancer and the gut microbiome, particularly focusing on colonization resistance-an essential feature of the microbiota's ability to prevent pathogenic overgrowth. Using a mouse model of breast cancer, we employ diversity analysis, co-occurrence network analysis, and robustness tests to elucidate the impact of breast cancer on microbiome dynamics.

Exploring the impact of on colonization resistance of microbiota using network node manipulation.

Upon ingestion from an infected host, tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) have to overcome colonization resistance, a defense mechanism by which tick microbiota prevent microbial invasions. Previous studies have shown that the pathogen alters the microbiota composition of the nymphs of , but its impact on tick colonization resistance remains unclear. We analyzed tick microbiome genetic data using published Illumina 16S rRNA sequences, assessing microbial diversity within ticks (alpha diversity) through species richness, evenness, and phylogenetic diversity.

One health approach to study human health risks associated with mites.

Despite the significant health risks associated with infestations in humans, they are often overlooked. This study investigated a household case of infestation and explored the resulting clinical manifestations and risk of infection in family members. Microfluidic PCR was employed for high-throughput screening of pathogens in collected mites and blood samples from both chickens and family members.

Spatiotemporal trends and covariates of Lyme borreliosis incidence in Poland, 2010-2019.

Lyme borreliosis (LB) is the most commonly diagnosed tick-borne disease in the northern hemisphere. Since an efficient vaccine is not yet available, prevention of transmission is essential. This, in turn, requires a thorough comprehension of the spatiotemporal dynamics of LB transmission as well as underlying drivers.

Dynamic nesting of in the microbial communities of .

Interactions within the tick microbiome involving symbionts, commensals, and tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) play a pivotal role in disease ecology. This study explored temporal changes in the microbiome of , an important cattle tick vector, focusing on its interaction with . To overcome limitations inherent in sampling methods relying on questing ticks, which may not consistently reflect pathogen presence due to variations in exposure to infected hosts in nature, our study focused on ticks fed on chronically infected cattle.

Influence of microbiota-driven natural antibodies on dengue transmission.

Dengue has had a significant global health impact, with a dramatic increase in incidence over the past 50 years, affecting more than 100 countries. The absence of a specific treatment or widely applicable vaccine emphasizes the urgent need for innovative strategies. This perspective reevaluates current evidence supporting the concept of dual protection against the dengue virus (DENV) through natural antibodies (NAbs), particularly anti-α-Gal antibodies induced by the host's gut microbiome (GM).