Tick biodiversity in the Cerrado biome and implications for One Health: A panoramic look

Abstract

The Cerrado occupies 23.3% of the national territory and is considered the second largest biome in Brazil. Climate change, deforestation and agricultural expansion are a threat to the biodiversity of Brazilian biomes, as they can increase the extent of fires in the Cerrado. The Cerrado is among the 25 “hotspots” on the planet, that is, areas with endemic species that suffer significant habitat loss. In 2024, the Cerrado showed a rate of loss, associated with deforestation, of 1,786 hectares/day. The degradation and modifications of the biome favor the emergence of diseases, mainly those with vector-borne agents. Among the diseases that have ticks as vectors, we can mention Brazilian Spotted Fever (BSF), which has been mandatory for notification by the Ministry of Health since 2001. BSF is caused by bacteria belonging to the genus Rickettsia and ticks, in addition to being the main vectors, can act as a reservoir. BSF progresses rapidly and can lead to death if treatment is initiated late. Climate change can directly affect the reproduction rate of vectors and the distribution of pathogens, which may contribute to changes in the epidemiological scenario in the Cerrado biome.