Invisible Threats Under Climate Change: Monitoring Zoonotic Diseases from Kaohsiung’s Mosquitoes to Ticks

Professor Chien-Ming Shih’s Research Team

As global warming destabilizes our ecosystems, the boundaries between pathogens, vectors, and humans are blurring, allowing emerging infectious diseases to cross over more easily. Professor Chien-Ming Shih’s research team acts as "ecological detectives" within the bustling streets of Kaohsiung and its surrounding wilds, uncovering secrets hidden inside common disease vectors.

A "Firewall" Inside Mosquitoes? A Groundbreaking Discovery in Asia

Did you know that mosquitoes might have their own "antivirus software"? During their 2024–2025 surveillance, the team discovered the stable presence of Wolbachia (strains A & B) within Culex quinquefasciatus (Southern house mosquitoes) around Kaohsiung’s city parks.

  • Striking Data: The infection rate of this bacteria reached a significant 44.59%.
  • Asia’s First: This marks the first molecular evidence of such a stable Wolbachia population in this mosquito species in Asia. Since Wolbachia is known to inhibit virus transmission, this discovery provides a critical "key" for future "mosquito-to-control-mosquito" biological prevention strategies.

Ticks Aren't Just for Pets: The Hidden Zoonotic Risk

Moving beyond mosquitoes, the team also focused on Rhipicephalus sanguineus (brown dog ticks) found on stray dogs. The study officially confirmed that these ticks are carrying Ehrlichia canis, an emerging zoonotic pathogen. This is more than just a skin issue for our furry friends; it represents a silent "cross-species" threat, highlighting a growing risk of infection for the human population in Taiwan.

Looking Ahead: Piecing Together the "One Health" Global Puzzle

To complete the map of disease prevention, the team will continue to collaborate internationally, tracking the evolution of parasites found on invasive and endangered native species in Taiwan. By understanding the geographic and genetic relationships of these microscopic vectors, we aim to fortify the "One Health" initiative and contribute vital insights to global terrestrial ecology and sustainability.

1. 蜱蟲寵物

Figure 1. Infestation of hard ticks on dogs in Taiwan (provided by Professor Chien-Min Shih)

1. 蜱蟲人類

Figure 2. The first clinical case of human bite by Dermacentor taiwanensis in Taiwan (provided by Professor Chien-Min Shih)

1 1氣候變遷

Figure 3. Professor Chien-Min Shih conducted field investigation teaching and demonstration workshops at the National University of Mongolia under an NSTC international collaborative project as part of an overseas research program.

Chao Li-Lian, Shih Chien-Ming* Molecular Survey and Genetic Identification of Wolbachia Endosymbionts in Dwelling-Caught Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) Mosquitoes from Taiwan. Microbial Ecology. 2025 Jul 2;88(1):69.  doi: 10.1007/s00248-025-02570-9. PMID: 40601059; PMCID: PMC12222272.

Shih Chien-Ming, Ko Pei-Yin, Chao Li-Lian* Molecular Survey and Genetic Analysis of Ehrlichia canis in Rhipicephalus sanguineus Ticks Infesting Dogs in Northern Taiwan. Microorganisms. 2025 Jun 12;13(6):1372.  doi:10.3390/microorganisms13061372. PMID: 40572260; PMCID: PMC12196287.

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