A systematic review of the microbiome of Hyalomma Koch, 1844 ticks using next-generation sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene

Background and Aim: Ticks are critical vectors of pathogens affecting humans and livestock globally. The microbiome of ticks, comprising diverse bacterial communities, plays a crucial role in tick biology and vector competence. Hyalomma ticks are prominent in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA)...

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Main Authors: Mohamad Taha Al Masri, Mohammad Ali Al-Deeb
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Veterinary World 2025-05-01
Series:Veterinary World
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Online Access:https://www.veterinaryworld.org/Vol.18/May-2025/2.pdf
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author Mohamad Taha Al Masri
Mohammad Ali Al-Deeb
author_facet Mohamad Taha Al Masri
Mohammad Ali Al-Deeb
author_sort Mohamad Taha Al Masri
collection DOAJ
description Background and Aim: Ticks are critical vectors of pathogens affecting humans and livestock globally. The microbiome of ticks, comprising diverse bacterial communities, plays a crucial role in tick biology and vector competence. Hyalomma ticks are prominent in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and are known carriers of significant pathogens. This study aimed to systematically evaluate existing literature regarding the microbiome composition of Hyalomma ticks in the MENA region, identify predominant bacterial genera, and highlight knowledge gaps. Materials and Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted using four databases: ScienceDirect, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus. The search covered studies published between 2014 and 2024 employing 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing to analyze microbiomes of Hyalomma ticks within the MENA region. Studies not fulfilling these criteria were excluded through independent assessment by two authors. Results: Out of 1,220 screened articles, seven studies met inclusion criteria, involving five Hyalomma species: Hyalomma dromedarii, Hyalomma anatolicum, Hyalomma excavatum, Hyalomma marginatum, and Hyalomma scupense. Most studies (57.14%) focused on H. dromedarii, primarily collected from camels. The geographical distribution of studies included the United Arab Emirates (42.86%), Saudi Arabia (28.57%), Iran (14.29%), and Tunisia (14.29%). Common bacterial genera identified across multiple studies included Acinetobacter, Bacillus, Flavobacterium, Francisella, Rickettsia, Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas, and Corynebacterium. However, substantial gaps were noted, particularly concerning variations related to tick lifecycle stages, host interactions, temporal dynamics, and extensive geographic coverage within the MENA region. Conclusion: This systematic review underscores the presence of key bacterial genera within Hyalomma ticks across the MENA region, revealing their potential roles in tick biology and pathogen transmission. Major research gaps identified include limited geographical scope, insufficient exploration of microbiome variation across tick life stages, host-specific interactions, and the environmental factors influencing microbial communities. Addressing these gaps through comprehensive, longitudinal, and multi-regional studies is imperative for improving public health strategies and developing targeted tick-control methods.
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spelling doaj-art-c2a706e33f574e81acbdc22d26a142212025-08-20T03:48:57ZengVeterinary WorldVeterinary World0972-89882231-09162025-05-011851090110010.14202/vetworld.2025.1090-1100A systematic review of the microbiome of Hyalomma Koch, 1844 ticks using next-generation sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA geneMohamad Taha Al Masri0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4244-3825Mohammad Ali Al-Deeb1https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3138-8709Department of Biology, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates.Department of Biology, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates.Background and Aim: Ticks are critical vectors of pathogens affecting humans and livestock globally. The microbiome of ticks, comprising diverse bacterial communities, plays a crucial role in tick biology and vector competence. Hyalomma ticks are prominent in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and are known carriers of significant pathogens. This study aimed to systematically evaluate existing literature regarding the microbiome composition of Hyalomma ticks in the MENA region, identify predominant bacterial genera, and highlight knowledge gaps. Materials and Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted using four databases: ScienceDirect, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus. The search covered studies published between 2014 and 2024 employing 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing to analyze microbiomes of Hyalomma ticks within the MENA region. Studies not fulfilling these criteria were excluded through independent assessment by two authors. Results: Out of 1,220 screened articles, seven studies met inclusion criteria, involving five Hyalomma species: Hyalomma dromedarii, Hyalomma anatolicum, Hyalomma excavatum, Hyalomma marginatum, and Hyalomma scupense. Most studies (57.14%) focused on H. dromedarii, primarily collected from camels. The geographical distribution of studies included the United Arab Emirates (42.86%), Saudi Arabia (28.57%), Iran (14.29%), and Tunisia (14.29%). Common bacterial genera identified across multiple studies included Acinetobacter, Bacillus, Flavobacterium, Francisella, Rickettsia, Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas, and Corynebacterium. However, substantial gaps were noted, particularly concerning variations related to tick lifecycle stages, host interactions, temporal dynamics, and extensive geographic coverage within the MENA region. Conclusion: This systematic review underscores the presence of key bacterial genera within Hyalomma ticks across the MENA region, revealing their potential roles in tick biology and pathogen transmission. Major research gaps identified include limited geographical scope, insufficient exploration of microbiome variation across tick life stages, host-specific interactions, and the environmental factors influencing microbial communities. Addressing these gaps through comprehensive, longitudinal, and multi-regional studies is imperative for improving public health strategies and developing targeted tick-control methods.https://www.veterinaryworld.org/Vol.18/May-2025/2.pdf16s ribosomal rna gene sequencinghyalommamicrobiomemiddle east and north africa regionticks
spellingShingle Mohamad Taha Al Masri
Mohammad Ali Al-Deeb
A systematic review of the microbiome of Hyalomma Koch, 1844 ticks using next-generation sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene
Veterinary World
16s ribosomal rna gene sequencing
hyalomma
microbiome
middle east and north africa region
ticks
title A systematic review of the microbiome of Hyalomma Koch, 1844 ticks using next-generation sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene
title_full A systematic review of the microbiome of Hyalomma Koch, 1844 ticks using next-generation sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene
title_fullStr A systematic review of the microbiome of Hyalomma Koch, 1844 ticks using next-generation sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene
title_full_unstemmed A systematic review of the microbiome of Hyalomma Koch, 1844 ticks using next-generation sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene
title_short A systematic review of the microbiome of Hyalomma Koch, 1844 ticks using next-generation sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene
title_sort systematic review of the microbiome of hyalomma koch 1844 ticks using next generation sequencing of the 16s ribosomal rna gene
topic 16s ribosomal rna gene sequencing
hyalomma
microbiome
middle east and north africa region
ticks
url https://www.veterinaryworld.org/Vol.18/May-2025/2.pdf
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