Tick-Borne Zoonoses at the Vector–Host–Environment Interface: Ecology, Surveillance and Animal Sentinels

Ticks are among the most important arthropod vectors of zoonotic pathogens, playing a central role in the maintenance and transmission of bacteria, protozoa and viruses that affect wildlife, livestock, companion animals and humans. The ecology of tick populations, their geographic distribution, host associations and vector competence directly influence pathogen circulation and disease emergence. Environmental changes, climate variability, biodiversity loss and land-use modifications are reshaping tick habitats and expanding opportunities for pathogen transmission into new ecological and geographic settings. Understanding the complex interactions among ticks, vertebrate hosts and pathogens is therefore essential for improving surveillance and risk assessment. Within a One Health framework, integrating vector ecology with animal and environmental surveillance provides a comprehensive approach for detecting changes in pathogen circulation and anticipating emerging health threats before they become significant risks for animal and public health.This Research Topic aims to advance scientific knowledge on tick biology and tick-borne zoonotic pathogens by promoting studies that integrate vector ecology, pathogen surveillance and host-pathogen interactions within a One Health framework. Particular emphasis will be placed on research investigating the ecological and biological processes that govern pathogen maintenance, circulation and transmission by ticks.We encourage contributions combining direct tick surveillance with animal sentinel systems, molecular characterization of pathogens, ecological modelling and environmental data to improve our understanding of transmission dynamics and disease risk. By integrating information from vectors, animal hosts and ecosystems, this collection seeks to provide a comprehensive perspective on tick-borne zoonoses and support the development of evidence-based surveillance strategies, risk assessment tools and control measures applicable to both veterinary and public health.Ultimately, this Research Topic intends to strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration between acarologists, microbiologists, veterinarians, ecologists, epidemiologists and public health researchers working on tick-associated pathogens worldwide.This Research Topic welcomes Original Research Articles, Reviews, Mini Reviews, Systematic Reviews, Brief Research Reports, Methods and Perspectives addressing biological, ecological and surveillance aspects of tick-borne pathogens. Contributions should include a clear vector component and advance understanding of tick biology, ecology or tick-mediated pathogen transmission.Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:• Tick ecology, biodiversity and geographic distribution; • Tick-host-pathogen interactions; • Vector competence and pathogen transmission mechanisms; • Molecular detection and characterization of pathogens in ticks; • Tick microbiota and its influence on pathogen transmission; • Wildlife, livestock and companion animals as hosts of tick populations; • Integrated tick surveillance and animal sentinel systems; • Environmental and climatic drivers affecting tick populations; • Spatial modelling of tick distribution and transmission risk; • Innovative surveillance approaches integrating vectors, hosts and environmental data within a One Health framework. Topic editors: Elizangela Guedes, CHRISTIANE ROCHA Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/84073/tick-borne-zoonoses-at-the-vector-host-environment-interface-ecology-surveillance-and-animal-sentinels