Chapter 13 - Ixodes Tick Saliva: A Potent Controller at the Skin Interface of Early Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato Transmission

Abstract

Ticks are the most important vectors of pathogens affecting both humans and animals worldwide, transmitting the highest variety of pathogens. Many components present in tick saliva impair host defenses to assure optimal feeding, thereby creating a favorable environment for survival and transmission of the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato coinoculated with tick saliva. These phenomena occur at the skin interface that acts as the first line of defense against the transmitted pathogens. Tick saliva interacts with immune cells, as well as skin resident cells (keratinocytes and fibroblasts) and is responsible of antihemostatic and antiinflammatory activities, as well as modulation of both innate and adaptive host immunity. These multiple activities of tick saliva will allow an efficient Borrelia transmission, which takes place few hours after the beginning of the infectious blood meal.