Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 15, 2025
Feeding of Ticks on Animals for Transmission and Xenodiagnosis in Lyme Disease Research
Published on: August 31, 2013
A Review on Important Zoonotic Bacterial Tick-Borne Diseases in the Eastern Mediterranean Region
Manijeh Yousefi Behzadi1,2, Ehsan Mostafavi1,2, Mahdi Rohani3
1Department of Epidemiology and Biostatics, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
Background:
Zoonotic diseases as health concerns worldwide account for more than half of the emerging infectious diseases. Arachnids are powerful vectors to transmit several diseases to humans. Additionally, these emerging zoonotic diseases have been a considerable health threat in the Eastern Mediterranean Region of the WHO (EMRO) due to the large population living close to farms and international trade with nearby countries.
Methods:
This review study is based on the reported three tick-borne diseases, Lyme disease, Tularemia, and Q fever, from Iran and other EMRO countries. To this end, we searched PubMed central, ISI web of Science, and Google with the related keywords in English at any time. The reported data are then sorted by countries for each disease.
Results:
According to the published data, 15 countries in the region have one/more emerging infectious diseases. Q fever has been the most frequent infection in EMRO countries, while Lyme was less recorded. Furthermore, Iran is among the countries with documented history of all three investigated diseases.
Conclusion:
Tick-borne disease is popular among EMRO countries, indicating that they have natural conditions for infections in animals and humans. It appears necessary to develop a disease management strategy and control programs against tick-borne diseases (TBDs). Moreover, the disease-resistant animal could be bred instead of susceptible livestock. Therefore, research studies to control TBDs should be regarded as a top priority plan.
Insights
Emerging tick-borne zoonotic diseases pose a significant threat in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMRO). Q fever is most common, while Lyme disease is less frequent, with Iran reporting all three studied diseases.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Veterinary Medicine
Background:
- Zoonotic diseases constitute over half of emerging infectious diseases globally.
- Arachnids, particularly ticks, are significant vectors for transmitting diseases to humans.
- The Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMRO) faces substantial health risks from emerging zoonotic diseases due to population density near farms and international trade.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and analyze the prevalence of three key tick-borne diseases (Lyme disease, Tularemia, and Q fever) in Iran and other EMRO countries.
- To identify patterns and frequency of these diseases within the region.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, and Google.
- Keywords related to Lyme disease, Tularemia, Q fever, and EMRO countries were used.
- Data were systematically collected and organized by country for each disease.
Main Results:
- Fifteen countries within the EMRO region reported at least one emerging infectious disease.
- Q fever was the most frequently reported infection, whereas Lyme disease was less common.
- Iran has documented cases of all three investigated tick-borne diseases.
Conclusions:
- Tick-borne diseases are prevalent across EMRO countries, highlighting favorable conditions for transmission.
- Developing integrated disease management strategies and control programs for tick-borne diseases (TBDs) is crucial.
- Prioritizing research into TBD control and exploring the breeding of disease-resistant livestock are recommended.
