Projects Archive - Institute for Medical Research

Tailoring management of tick-borne diseases based on diversity of ticks and tick-borne pathogens (TalkToTick)

Project leader: Snežana Tomanović, PhD, Research Professor

Project collaborators: Ratko Sukara, PhD, Research associate, Darko Mihaljica, PhD, Research associate, Gorana Veinović, PhD, Research associate, Velantina Ćirković, PhD, Research associate.

Duration of the project: 2023-2026

Leading institution: Institute for Medical Research, National Institute for Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade

Description:

TalkToTick is a project that answers the question of to what extent ticks and tick-borne pathogens present in a specific region pose a risk to human health. Climate change, intensification of transport, and migration undoubtedly lead to changes in the epidemiology of vector-borne diseases. Globally, and in our region, there has been a discrepancy between the registered number and diversity of ticks, the pathogens they transmit, and confirmed clinical cases of the disease. It is believed that many cases of tick-borne diseases remain unrecognized or misdiagnosed. The main objective of our project is to develop adequate approaches for diagnosis, therapy, and prevention of tick-borne diseases based on the knowledge of local ecology, epidemiology, and geographic distribution of ticks and tick-borne pathogens. Although the TalkToTick project is conceived in Serbia as a model for the region, our ambition goes beyond the local interest. The knowledge and results we generate during the project implementation are extremely important for all regions with a similar eco-epidemiological situation (Southern Europe, neighboring countries), and as a conceptual approach, our model can be applied anywhere. The project is largely focused on citizens too. The most important and economical form of prevention of tick-borne diseases in humans are personal protection measures and to increase the effectiveness of these measures, it is necessary to inform, educate, and actively involve citizens.

Тип пројекта:

National Projects

Enzootic transmission cycles of pathogenic microorganisms transmitted by ticks

Project leader: Dr Snežana Tomanović

Project collaborators:

Dr Snežana Tomanović, Dr Darko Mihaljica, Dr Ratko Sukara, Dr Gorana Veinović, i Dr Dragana Marković

Project number: OI173006

Duration of the project: 2011-2019

Leading Institution: Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade

Description of the project:

In Europe, at least 6 agents of zoonotic vector-borne diseases have been identified in which ticks play an important role in transmission (Rickettsia sp., Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Francisella tularensis, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus, tick-borne encephalitis virus). Our preliminary investigations indicate the presence of A. phagocytophilum, F. tularensis, Rickettsia sp. and five genospecies of the B. burgdorferi complex in ixodid ticks in Serbia. According to epidemiological data, tick-borne encephalitis and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever viruses are present in natural foci on the territory of Serbia, but no systematic studies on their presence in ticks have been performed so far. Research in this project included regular collection of material (ticks from vegetation and hosts, serum samples and host tissues), molecular detection of pathogens in samples, and cultivation, characterization and genotyping of these microorganisms. The research focused on potential natural hosts of these zoonotic diseases. The research results provided a clearer picture of the distribution, genetic diversity, and pathogenic potential of tick-borne microorganisms.

Тип пројекта:

National Projects

Enzootic transmission cycles of pathogenic microorganisms transmitted by ticks

Project leader: Dr Snežana Tomanović

Project collaborators:

Dr Snežana Tomanović, Dr Darko Mihaljica, Dr Ratko Sukara, Dr Gorana Veinović, and Dr Dragana Marković

Project number: OI173006

Duration of the project: 2011-2019

Leading Institution:

Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade

Description of the project:

In Europe, at least 6 agents of zoonotic vector-borne diseases have been identified in which ticks play an important role in transmission (Rickettsia sp., Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Francisella tularensis, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus, tick-borne encephalitis virus). Our preliminary investigations indicate the presence of A. phagocytophilum, F. tularensis, Rickettsia sp. and five genospecies of the B. burgdorferi complex in ixodid ticks in Serbia. According to epidemiological data, tick-borne encephalitis and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever viruses are present in natural foci on the territory of Serbia, but no systematic studies on their presence in ticks have been performed so far. Research in this project included regular collection of material (ticks from vegetation and hosts, serum samples and host tissues), molecular detection of pathogens in samples, and cultivation, characterization and genotyping of these microorganisms. The research focused on potential natural hosts of these zoonotic diseases. The research results provided a clearer picture of the distribution, genetic diversity, and pathogenic potential of tick-borne microorganisms.

Тип пројекта:

National Projects