Exploring the dynamic ticks-camel-pathogens interaction

Abstract The ability of ticks to interact and adapt to different ecologies and hosts determines their vectorial competence for various pathogens, however ticks-livestock-pathogens interaction studies are limited. With our ticks-hosts-pathogens interface studies, we found 14 species of ticks feeding on various livestock. Ticks showed a strong preference for one-humped camels ( Camelus dromedarius ). The camel nostril was the most preferred predilection site. The most prevalent tick species on camels was Hyalomma rufipes . We found two novel Amblyomma gemma variants which are distinct both morphologically and genetically from previously described Amblyomma gemma . The signature odors from camel breath and body were attractive to H. rufipes ; demonstrating ticks utilize camel-derived metabolites to find their host. Our research shows that H. rufipes and camel hosts have unique and shared pathogens showing H. rufipes ’ vector and camel’s reservoir host qualities. Our study unravels the dynamic interactions between ticks, pathogens, and camels that all influence the likelihood of pathogen adaptation and transmission dynamics. IMPORTANCE Ticks are obligatory hematophagous arachnids, serving as vectors for a wide array of pathogens that can be transmitted to animals and humans. The ability of ticks to acquire and transmit various pathogens depends on its attraction to quality reservoir host and the survival of the pathogens in ticks’ gut and other tissues. However, the complex dynamics of tick-pathogens interaction and host-seeking behavior remains understudied. This investigation revealed notable variation in tick preference for domestic animals, camel being the most preferred host. Moreover, our spatial analysis about tick attachment sites showed nostril is the most preferred sites by various tick species. Our epidemiology data showed variation in the pathogens harbored by camel (host) and vector ( H. rufipes ), demonstrating the camel’s efficiency as reservoir host and ticks’ vector competence for various pathogens. With our behavioral experiment using H. rufipes and its preferred host’s (camel) breath and body signature odors, we identified novel attractants for H. rufipes , thus offering new avenues for combating TBDs. Overall, our study presents novel insights into how multiple factors shape tick-host-pathogens interaction.