Protocol for encapsulating ticks to study tick hematophagy and tick-virus-host interactions

Hard ticks can acquire and transmit various pathogens during their multi-day blood feeding events. Here, we present a protocol for encapsulating ticks while they feed on mice. We describe steps for affixing tick capsules to mice, counting ticks, and loading into syringes. We then detail procedures for transferring ticks into capsules, evaluating tick attachment, and collecting fed/partially fed ticks. This protocol can be implemented for studies examining pathogen acquisition from and transmission to the vertebrate host during tick feeding. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Obellianne et al.¹.