Soft Tick Genome Unlocks Disease Insights to Protect Pork Industry

Preventing African Swine fever threats to the $62B U.S. pork industry

Scientists from Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Baylor College of Medicine have successfully mapped the genome of the soft tick Ornithodoros turicata. This species spreads human relapsing fever and could also transmit the dangerous African swine fever virus. 

The African swine fever virus, poses great concern and this is why the research is so valuable. The disease has nearly 100% mortality in domestic pigs and could severely damage the $62 billion U.S. pork industry. 

In collaboration with the USDA Agricultural Research Service and SCINet’s Ag100Pest Initiative, this project led to the first complete genome of the soft tick. Their work is published in the journal G3: Genes | Genomes | Genetics. 

Understanding the tick’s full genetic code gives researchers new ways to study its biology. “Physiology, development and reproduction of these ticks is all based on their genetics, and this allows us to open the doors to those discoveries,” said said Dr. Pete Teel, co-author and professor at Texas A&M.  

“Those discoveries create opportunities for novel genetic tools we might use for surveillance and control measures against the tick and the pathogens it carries.” 

Though soft tick relapsing fever is rare in the U.S.—with 251 cases reported from 2012 to 2021—it still presents health risks. Cases mostly occur in western states, often linked to rustic cabins or forest stays. Symptoms can include fever, muscle aches, headaches, and, in rare cases, vision problems or facial paralysis. 

Texas is especially vulnerable. It is home to the tick species, a large feral hog population, and even African warthogs, which can carry the virus without getting sick. “Texas has all the puzzle pieces for the emergence of a natural cycle for the African swine fever virus,” said Lopez. “We have the tick and African warthogs in Texas, and one of the largest populations of feral hogs on the continent. That’s where the significance of this tick vector comes into play.” 

This genome research is a crucial step in defending public health and one of America’s most valuable farm industries. 

Photo Credit: istock-dusanpetkovic