Ticks are haematophagous arthropods with unique molecular mechanisms for digesting host blood meal while acting as vectors for various pathogens of public health significance. The tick's pharmacologically active saliva plays a fundamental role in modulating the host's immune system for several days to weeks, depending on the tick species. The vector tick has also developed sophisticated molecular mechanisms to serve as a competent vector for pathogens, including the spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae. Evidence is still inadequate concerning tick–rickettsiae–host interactions and saliva‐assisted transmission of the pathogen to the mammalian host. Rickettsia parkeri, of the SFG rickettsia, can cause a milder version of Rocky Mountain spotted fever known as American Boutonneuse fever. The Gulf Coast tick (Amblyomma maculatum) often transmits this pathogenic rickettsia in the USA. This review discusses the knowledge gap concerning tick–rickettsiae–host interactions by highlighting the SFG rickettsia and the Am maculatum model system. Filling this knowledge gap will provide a better understanding of the tick–rickettsiae–host interactions in disease causation, which will be crucial for developing effective methods for preventing tick‐borne diseases.

中文翻译：

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了解蜱和立克次体相互作用的最新进展

蜱是食血性节肢动物，具有独特的分子机制，可消化宿主血粉，同时充当各种具有公共卫生意义的病原体的载体。蜱的药理活性唾液在调节宿主的免疫系统方面发挥着重要作用，持续数天到数周，具体取决于蜱的种类。载体蜱还开发了复杂的分子机制，可作为病原体的有效载体，包括斑点热群 (SFG) 立克次体。关于蜱-立克次体-宿主相互作用和病原体向哺乳动物宿主的唾液辅助传播的证据仍然不足。Rickettsia parkeri是 SFG 立克次体的一种，可引起一种较温和的落基山斑疹热，称为美国胸花热。墨西哥湾沿岸的勾号 (Amblyomma maculatum)经常在美国传播这种致病性立克次体。本综述通过突出 SFG 立克次体和Am maculatum模型系统讨论了关于蜱-立克次体-宿主相互作用的知识差距。填补这一知识空白将有助于更好地了解疾病因果关系中蜱-立克次体-宿主相互作用，这对于开发预防蜱传疾病的有效方法至关重要。