Roles of tick-cofeeding hedgehogs in the natural transmission of spotted fever group Rickettsia.

ABSTRACT: Tick-borne spotted fever group Rickettsia (SFGR) poses a significant threat to public health worldwide. The cofeeding behavior of ticks attaching host animals, such as hedgehogs, has been identified as a potential mechanism for transmitting SFGR between infected and uninfected ticks, potentially increasing the prevalence of SFGR. However, the overall positive rate of SFGR in free-living ticks remains relatively low, suggesting that the role of tick-cofeeding in amplifying SFGR prevalence may not be as substantial as previously believed. To explore the impact of tick-cofeeding hedgehogs on the natural transmission of SFGR, to clarify the underlying hypotheses, and to provide robust data to support targeted prevention and control strategies for spotted fever, this study developed a transmiss

SUBMITTER: Yi H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12435724 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature