2023
A ticking time bomb hidden in plain sight
Narasimhan S, Fish D, Pedra J, Pal U, Fikrig E. A ticking time bomb hidden in plain sight. Science Translational Medicine 2023, 15: eadi7829. PMID: 37851823, DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adi7829.Peer-Reviewed Reviews, Practice Guidelines, Standards, and Consensus Statements
2021
Probing an Ixodes ricinus salivary gland yeast surface display with tick-exposed human sera to identify novel candidates for an anti-tick vaccine
Trentelman JJA, Tomás-Cortázar J, Knorr S, Barriales D, Hajdusek O, Sima R, Ersoz JI, Narasimhan S, Fikrig E, Nijhof AM, Anguita J, Hovius JW. Probing an Ixodes ricinus salivary gland yeast surface display with tick-exposed human sera to identify novel candidates for an anti-tick vaccine. Scientific Reports 2021, 11: 15745. PMID: 34344917, PMCID: PMC8333314, DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-92538-9.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTick salivary gland proteinsLyme borreliosisVaccination studiesTick biteTick-borne encephalitis virusB. burgdorferi transmissionMultiple tick bitesYeast surface display libraryHuman infectious diseasesImmunization of rabbitsVaccination platformAnti-tick effectsAnti-tick vaccinesEncephalitis virusImmunodominant antigensInfectious diseasesNon-natural hostsTick immunityTick feedingImmunityBorreliosisBiteVaccineAntigenHuman serum
2020
Acquired tick resistance: The trail is hot
Narasimhan S, Kurokawa C, DeBlasio M, Matias J, Sajid A, Pal U, Lynn G, Fikrig E. Acquired tick resistance: The trail is hot. Parasite Immunology 2020, 43: e12808. PMID: 33187012, PMCID: PMC8058238, DOI: 10.1111/pim.12808.Peer-Reviewed Reviews, Practice Guidelines, Standards, and Consensus StatementsMeSH KeywordsAnimalsDisease Models, AnimalDisease ResistanceHost-Parasite InteractionsHumansProteomeTick InfestationsTicksNaturally Acquired Resistance to Ixodes scapularis Elicits Partial Immunity against Other Tick Vectors in a Laboratory Host
Lynn GE, Diktas H, DePonte K, Fikrig E. Naturally Acquired Resistance to Ixodes scapularis Elicits Partial Immunity against Other Tick Vectors in a Laboratory Host. American Journal Of Tropical Medicine And Hygiene 2020, 104: 175-183. PMID: 33258439, PMCID: PMC7790098, DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-0776.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsArachnid VectorsDisease SusceptibilityGuinea PigsIxodesLaboratory Animal ScienceTick InfestationsConceptsTick speciesTick vectorEngorgement weightHost resistanceMultiple tick speciesAnti-tick vaccinesImportant tick speciesImportant tick vectorAbility of ticksTransmission of pathogensTick resistanceTick challengeTick attachmentTick salivaTicksForm of immunityLaboratory hostPrimary speciesEconomic productionGuinea pig modelNorth AmericaSpeciesPartial immunityPathogensHostRepeat tick exposure elicits distinct immune responses in guinea pigs and mice
Kurokawa C, Narasimhan S, Vidyarthi A, Booth CJ, Mehta S, Meister L, Diktas H, Strank N, Lynn GE, DePonte K, Craft J, Fikrig E. Repeat tick exposure elicits distinct immune responses in guinea pigs and mice. Ticks And Tick-borne Diseases 2020, 11: 101529. PMID: 32993942, PMCID: PMC7530331, DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101529.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGuinea pigsElicit distinct immune responsesDistinct immune responsesGuinea pig modelLocal blood flowImmune animalsInflammatory pathwaysTick rejectionMechanisms of resistanceImmune responseMouse modelVaccine candidatesBite siteBlood flowPig modelCoagulation pathwayComplement activationAcquired ResistanceProtective antigenTick detachmentTick proteinsBlood mealMiceTick infestationRNA sequencing
2018
Host-specific expression of Ixodes scapularis salivary genes
Narasimhan S, Booth CJ, DePonte K, Wu MJ, Liang X, Mohanty S, Kantor F, Fikrig E. Host-specific expression of Ixodes scapularis salivary genes. Ticks And Tick-borne Diseases 2018, 10: 386-397. PMID: 30545615, DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2018.12.001.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsVector-host interactionsTick infestationI. scapularisReservoir hostsNon-reservoir hostsHost-specific expressionRodent reservoir hostsInfected ticksPathogen transmissionZoonotic cycleSalivary genesIxodes scapularisTicksNatural hostScapularisInfestationTick biteLyme diseaseBorrelia burgdorferiLarval stagesPathogensHostPeromyscus leucopusStrong immune responseSalivary transcriptome
2017
Tick Bioactive Molecules as Novel Therapeutics: Beyond Vaccine Targets
Murfin KE, Fikrig E. Tick Bioactive Molecules as Novel Therapeutics: Beyond Vaccine Targets. Frontiers In Cellular And Infection Microbiology 2017, 7: 222. PMID: 28634573, PMCID: PMC5459892, DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2017.00222.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2013
SERUM ANTIBODIES TO BORRELIA BURGDORFERI, ANAPLASMA PHAGOCYTOPHILUM, AND BABESIA MICROTI IN RECAPTURED WHITE-FOOTED MICE
Magnarelli LA, Williams SC, Norris SJ, Fikrig E. SERUM ANTIBODIES TO BORRELIA BURGDORFERI, ANAPLASMA PHAGOCYTOPHILUM, AND BABESIA MICROTI IN RECAPTURED WHITE-FOOTED MICE. Journal Of Wildlife Diseases 2013, 49: 294-302. PMID: 23568904, PMCID: PMC3712766, DOI: 10.7589/2012-06-172.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsB. microtiA. phagocytophilumB. burgdorferiBabesia microtiSolid-phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assayAnaplasma phagocytophilumMouse immune systemEnzyme-linked immunosorbent assayIndirect fluorescent antibodyAntibody statusAntibody titersBorrelia burgdorferi sensu strictoSerum antibodiesTotal antibodyAntibody prevalenceNegative statusBurgdorferi sensu strictoImmune systemPatent infectionsEnd pointMiceImmunosorbent assayAntibodiesBorrelia burgdorferiFluorescent antibody
2012
Immunization with adenoviral-vectored tick salivary gland proteins (SALPs) in a murine model of Lyme borreliosis
Ullmann AJ, Dolan MC, Sackal CA, Fikrig E, Piesman J, Zeidner NS. Immunization with adenoviral-vectored tick salivary gland proteins (SALPs) in a murine model of Lyme borreliosis. Ticks And Tick-borne Diseases 2012, 4: 160-163. PMID: 23141105, PMCID: PMC4306421, DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2012.08.006.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdenoviridaeAnimalsArthropod ProteinsHeartIxodesLyme DiseaseMiceSalivary Proteins and PeptidesTick InfestationsUrinary BladderVaccinesConceptsTick salivary proteinsBorrelia burgdorferi infectionSalivary proteinsTick salivary gland proteinsSalivary gland proteinsTh1 responseImmunized miceSpecific immunityBurgdorferi infectionMurine modelSpirochete loadLyme borreliosisPrior exposureAdenovirus expression systemAdenoviral vectorTick challengeVaccinationMammalian hostsIxodes scapularisVertebrate hosts
2010
Tick Histamine Release Factor Is Critical for Ixodes scapularis Engorgement and Transmission of the Lyme Disease Agent
Dai J, Narasimhan S, Zhang L, Liu L, Wang P, Fikrig E. Tick Histamine Release Factor Is Critical for Ixodes scapularis Engorgement and Transmission of the Lyme Disease Agent. PLOS Pathogens 2010, 6: e1001205. PMID: 21124826, PMCID: PMC2991271, DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1001205.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsBiomarkers, TumorBlotting, WesternBorrelia burgdorferiFeeding BehaviorFemaleHistamineHumansImmunizationIxodesLyme DiseaseMiceMice, Inbred C3HReverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain ReactionRNA, MessengerRNA, Small InterferingSalivaTick InfestationsTumor Protein, Translationally-Controlled 1ConceptsTick-borne pathogensB. burgdorferi transmissionTick engorgementB. burgdorferi burdenHistamine-releasing factorRapid feeding phaseBurgdorferi-infected ticksAnimal healthTick feedingTick salivaDiverse infectious agentsDisease agentsTicksIxodes scapularisLyme disease agentRNA interferenceFeeding phaseVaccine potentialQuantitative reverse transcription PCRReverse transcription-PCRHistamine releaseEffective vaccineVascular permeabilityBlood flowInfectious agentsFucosylation enhances colonization of ticks by Anaplasma phagocytophilum
Pedra JH, Narasimhan S, Rendić D, DePonte K, Bell‐Sakyi L, Wilson IB, Fikrig E. Fucosylation enhances colonization of ticks by Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Cellular Microbiology 2010, 12: 1222-1234. PMID: 20331643, PMCID: PMC3250644, DOI: 10.1111/j.1462-5822.2010.01464.x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsA. phagocytophilumAnaplasma phagocytophilumHuman granulocytic anaplasmosisBacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilumGranulocytic anaplasmosisPathological processesTick feedingPhagocytophilumMicrobial pathogenesisNovel mechanismPathogen colonizationTick cellsFucosylated structuresTicksPathogen invasionPathogenesis
2006
An Ixodes scapularis protein required for survival of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in tick salivary glands
Sukumaran B, Narasimhan S, Anderson JF, DePonte K, Marcantonio N, Krishnan MN, Fish D, Telford SR, Kantor FS, Fikrig E. An Ixodes scapularis protein required for survival of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in tick salivary glands. Journal Of Experimental Medicine 2006, 203: 1507-1517. PMID: 16717118, PMCID: PMC2118316, DOI: 10.1084/jem.20060208.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsA. phagocytophilum-infected miceRNA interference-mediated silencingA. phagocytophilumTick salivary proteinsI. scapularis salivary glandsRickettsia-like pathogensTick salivary glandsMammalian hostsGenus RickettsiaAnaplasma phagocytophilumGene expressionSalivary glandsIntracellular organismsArthropodsSalivary proteinsPathogensProteinPhagocytophilumExpressionTicksHuman anaplasmosisSilencingGenesOrganismsAnaplasma
2004
A comparison of serologic tests for the detection of serum antibodies to whole-cell and recombinant Borrelia burgdorferi antigens in cattle.
Magnarelli LA, Bushmich SL, Sherman BA, Fikrig E. A comparison of serologic tests for the detection of serum antibodies to whole-cell and recombinant Borrelia burgdorferi antigens in cattle. Canadian Veterinary Journal 2004, 45: 667-73. PMID: 15368740, PMCID: PMC546445.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnaplasma phagocytophilumAnimalsAntibodies, BacterialAntigens, BacterialBlotting, WesternBorrelia burgdorferiCattleCattle DiseasesConnecticutEnzyme-Linked Immunosorbent AssayFemaleFluorescent Antibody Technique, IndirectLyme DiseaseMaleMolecular WeightRecombinant ProteinsReproducibility of ResultsSensitivity and SpecificityTick InfestationsConceptsPolyvalent enzyme-linked immunosorbentVlsE antigenBorrelia burgdorferi antigensRecombinant antigensAntibody staining methodsHealthy dairyB. burgdorferi antigensIndirect fluorescent-antibody staining methodsCattle seraHigh specificityLeptospira interrogans serovarsBrucella spWhole cell antigenSerum samplesWestern blot procedureP39 antigen
2001
Reactivity of dog sera to whole-cell or recombinant antigens of Borrelia burgdorferi by ELISA and immunoblot analysis
Magnarelli LA, Levy SA, Ijdo JW, Wu C, Padula SJ, Fikrig E. Reactivity of dog sera to whole-cell or recombinant antigens of Borrelia burgdorferi by ELISA and immunoblot analysis. Journal Of Medical Microbiology 2001, 50: 889-895. PMID: 11599738, DOI: 10.1099/0022-1317-50-10-889.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsEnzyme-linked immunosorbent assayWhole cell antigenRecombinant antigensB. burgdorferiNon-vaccinated dogsPolyvalent enzyme-linked immunosorbent assaysCanine borreliosisTick-infested areasTotal immunoglobulinWhole-cell B. burgdorferiAntibody titresBorrelia burgdorferi sensu strictoVaccinated dogsJoint disordersImmune responseBurgdorferi sensu strictoAntigenImmunosorbent assaySerumDogsNatural infection
2000
Serologic confirmation of Ehrlichia equi and Borrelia burgdorferi infections in horses from the northeastern United States.
Magnarelli LA, Ijdo JW, Van Andel AE, Wu C, Padula SJ, Fikrig E. Serologic confirmation of Ehrlichia equi and Borrelia burgdorferi infections in horses from the northeastern United States. Journal Of The American Veterinary Medical Association 2000, 217: 1045-50. PMID: 11019714, DOI: 10.2460/javma.2000.217.1045.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsB burgdorferiClinical signsGranulocytic ehrlichiosisSerum samplesDetectable serum antibodiesImmunoblot analysisIndirect fluorescent antibody stainingBorrelial antibodiesTick-infested areasRecombinant protein antigensProspective studyDetectable antibodiesSerum antibodiesSerologic confirmationFluorescent antibody stainingE equiAntibody reactivityClinical relevanceEtiologic agentClinical diagnosisEqui antibodiesProtein antigensEhrlichia equiELISAAntibodiesSALP16, a gene induced in Ixodes scapularis salivary glands during tick feeding.
Das S, Marcantonio N, Deponte K, Telford SR, Anderson JF, Kantor FS, Fikrig E. SALP16, a gene induced in Ixodes scapularis salivary glands during tick feeding. American Journal Of Tropical Medicine And Hygiene 2000, 62: 99-105. PMID: 10761732, DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.2000.62.99.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAmino Acid SequenceAnimalsBase SequenceBlotting, WesternEnzyme-Linked Immunosorbent AssayFeeding BehaviorFemaleGene Expression RegulationGene LibraryGuinea PigsIxodesMiceMice, Inbred C3HMolecular Sequence DataPolymerase Chain ReactionRandom Amplified Polymorphic DNA TechniqueRecombinant ProteinsRNASalivary GlandsSalivary Proteins and PeptidesSequence Analysis, DNATick Infestations
1998
Reactivity of Human Sera to Different Strains of Granulocytic Ehrlichiae in Immunodiagnostic Assays
Magnarelli L, IJdo J, Dumler J, Heimer R, Fikrig E. Reactivity of Human Sera to Different Strains of Granulocytic Ehrlichiae in Immunodiagnostic Assays. The Journal Of Infectious Diseases 1998, 178: 1835-1838. PMID: 9815246, DOI: 10.1086/314516.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNCH-1 strainIndirect IFAHuman granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE) agentHuman granulocytic ehrlichiosisWestern blot analysisInfected neutrophilsPromyelocytic leukemia cellsHuman promyelocytic leukemia cellsAntibody detectionGranulocytic ehrlichiosisEhrlichia equiDifferent strainsHuman isolatesLeukemia cellsSerumImmunodiagnostic assaysBlot analysisGranulocytic ehrlichiaeIFA analysisHuman serumIFAEhrlichiaeAssaysSeropositivityPatientsPrevention of Borrelia burgdorferi transmission in guinea pigs by tick immunity.
Nazario S, Das S, de Silva AM, Deponte K, Marcantonio N, Anderson JF, Fish D, Fikrig E, Kantor FS. Prevention of Borrelia burgdorferi transmission in guinea pigs by tick immunity. American Journal Of Tropical Medicine And Hygiene 1998, 58: 780-5. PMID: 9660463, DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.1998.58.780.Peer-Reviewed Original Research