Search for blood or water is influenced by Borrelia burgdorferi in Ixodes ricinus

Abstract

An increasing number of studies suggest that vector-borne parasites are able to alter phenotypic traits in their arthropod vectors so that microorganism transmission is enhanced. This review documents this phenomenon, which occurs between Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, the causative agents of Lyme borreliosis, and their tick vectors belonging to the Ixodes ricinus complex. It also reviews the influence of other tick-borne pathogens on these ticks. Ticks belonging to the Ixodes ricinus complex benefit from Borrelia infection by an increased lifespan (more fat and more resistance to desiccation) and by an increased questing period (less need to move to the litter zone to rehydrate), which enhances tick chances to find a host and to subsequently transmit the pathogens.