The Behavior of IRickettsia/I-Positive IDermacentor reticulatus/I Ticks under Laboratory Conditions

Considering that tick-borne diseases are on the rise, a full understanding of how pathogen–tick–host interactions can lead to vector behavioral modifications is of high value. Successful transmission of pathogens to their hosts depends on vector mobility and their ability to quest for prey and attac...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Life (Basel, Switzerland) Switzerland), 2023-02, Vol.13 (3)
Main Authors: Pipová, Natália, Peňazziová, Katarína, Baňas, Miroslav, Majláth, Igor, Majláthová, Viktória
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analysis
Care and treatment
Diagnosis
Disease transmission
Tick-borne diseases
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Summary:Considering that tick-borne diseases are on the rise, a full understanding of how pathogen–tick–host interactions can lead to vector behavioral modifications is of high value. Successful transmission of pathogens to their hosts depends on vector mobility and their ability to quest for prey and attack hosts. In our research, the behavior of Dermacentor reticulatus ticks (n = 88) that were positive or negative for Rickettsia spp. (prevalence—36.36%) were analyzed using novel behavioral apparatuses. Tick locomotion and their preference for light or darkness were studied utilizing a multirod arena (MA) and a light/dark test (LDT) optimized for ticks. Behavioral tasks were evaluated using a Smart video-tracking system (Panlab, Spain). The majority of ticks (p < 0.0001) explored in the center of MA during the first 15 min. Despite that, most of them (p < 0.01) chose the periphery for questing or resting postures. They also preferred the elevated parts of the rods (p < 0.001) for this behavior. Ticks significantly (p < 0.0001) preferred the light part of the LDT. Rickettsia-infected ticks had higher locomotor activity, manifesting as longer trajectories (p = 0.0221). Our results revealed the possible impact of pathogens on some behavioral patterns of ticks as their vectors, which may significantly increase the probability of pathogen transmission.
ISSN:2075-1729
2075-1729
DOI:10.3390/life13030612