Tick microbiome: the force within

Trends Parasitol. 2015 Jul;31(7):315-23. doi: 10.1016/j.pt.2015.03.010. Epub 2015 Apr 27.

Abstract

Ticks are obligate blood-feeders and serve as vectors of human and livestock pathogens worldwide. Defining the tick microbiome and deciphering the interactions between the tick and its symbiotic bacteria in the context of tick development and pathogen transmission will likely reveal new insights and spawn new paradigms to control tick-borne diseases. Descriptive observations on the tick microbiome that began almost a century ago serve as forerunners to the gathering momentum to define the tick microbiome in greater detail. This review will focus on the current efforts to address the microbiomes of diverse ticks, and the evolving understanding of tick microbiomes. There is hope that these efforts will bring a holistic understanding of pathogen transmission by ticks.

Keywords: tick endosymbionts; tick microbiome.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacterial Physiological Phenomena*
  • Microbiota / physiology*
  • Tick-Borne Diseases / transmission*
  • Ticks / microbiology*