Tick-borne pathogen dynamics and disease control in Africa

Vector-borne diseases in Africa pose increasing threats due to factors like population expansion, livestock movement, and climate change. Ticks, as prominent vectors, transmit numerous pathogens (bacteria, protozoa, viruses) affecting human and animal health. Despite their significance, substantial data gaps remain concerning the prevalence, diversity, and distribution of tick-borne pathogens and their complex relationships with endosymbiotic microbes across different African regions. These interactions are crucial for understanding disease transmission and developing targeted control measures.

This Research Topic aims to bridge the critical knowledge gaps regarding tick-borne pathogens and their associated microbiomes in Africa. This Research Topic endeavors to characterize and analyze both pathogenic and symbiotic microbes within tick populations. By exploring these interactions, the Research Topic seeks to unveil new insights into the epidemiology and control of tick-borne diseases, enhancing both health and livestock productivity in the African continent.

To gather further insights into tick-borne diseases in Africa, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

· Epidemiology of tick-borne pathogens, including bacteria, protozoa, and viruses.

· Characterization of tick-associated microbiomes and their functional roles in disease dynamics.

· Molecular methods for the identification and characterization of pathogenic and endosymbiotic agents.

· The influence of ecological conditions and host interactions on tick-borne disease transmission.

· Innovative approaches to disease control and management concerning tick-borne pathogens.

We invite contributions of original research, review articles, and systematic or scoping reviews that help shape effective strategies against tick-borne diseases in Africa.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Tick-borne pathogens, Tick microbiota, Epidemiology, Phylogeny, Control strategies, Africa

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.