Ticks have an unparalleled ability to parasitize diverse land vertebrates. Their natural persistence and vector competence are supported by the evolution of sophisticated hematophagy and remarkable host immune-evasion activities. We analyze the immunomodulatory roles of tick saliva which facilitates their acquisition of a blood meal from natural hosts and allows pathogen transmission. We also discuss the contrasting immunological events of tick–host associations in non-reservoir or incidental hosts, in which the development of acquired tick resistance can deter tick attachment. A critical appraisal of the intricate immunobiology of tick–host associations can plant new seeds of innovative research and contribute to the development of novel preventive strategies against ticks and tick-transmitted infections.

蜱虫具有无与伦比的寄生多种陆地脊椎动物的能力。它们的自然持久性和载体能力得到了复杂的血细胞吞噬和显着的宿主免疫逃避活动的进化的支持。我们分析了蜱唾液的免疫调节作用，这有助于它们从自然宿主那里获取血粉并允许病原体传播。我们还讨论了非宿主或偶然宿主中蜱-宿主关联的对比免疫学事件，其中获得性蜱抗性的发展可以阻止蜱附着。对蜱-宿主关联的复杂免疫生物学进行批判性评估可以播下创新研究的新种子，并有助于开发针对蜱和蜱传播感染的新型预防策略。