A review of ticks and tick-borne diseases in Southeast Asia: identifying priorities, hurdles, and opportunities for health and knowledge gain.

Ticks and tick-borne diseases (TBDs) in Southeast Asia are poorly understood, confounding surveillance, and mitigation opportunities. Herein, we conducted a survey of experts (n = 25) to identify tick species and TBDs of greatest concern to Southeast Asia, 'drivers' which may alter their impacts, and research hurdles. These experts identified Dermacentor auratus, Haemaphysalis longicornis, Rhipicephalus linnaei, Amblyomma testudinarium sensu lato, Ixodes granulatus, Ixodes persulcatus, and Rhipicephalus microplus as ticks of greatest concern; and rickettsioses, severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus, borreliosis, Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, anaplasmosis, tick-borne encephalitis, and novel tick-borne viruses as TBDs of greatest concern. Land-use change was expected to have the largest impact on ticks and TBDs, followed by climate change, invasive species, and drug resistance. The three biggest research hurdles were lack of funding, lack of awareness, and lack of taxonomic expertise. Addressing these near-term priorities and hurdles while harmonizing research efforts and surveillance within, and between countries may help lay the groundwork for future research and surveillance efforts in the region, and may also enhance the region's preparedness, ultimately leading to better health outcomes for the region.