What does an embedded tick do? - briefly
An embedded tick functions as a vector, delivering pathogens directly into the host’s bloodstream. It simultaneously injects saliva containing anticoagulants and immunomodulatory agents to maintain attachment and blood flow.
What does an embedded tick do? - in detail
An embedded tick initiates a complex biological process that ensures its survival and facilitates pathogen transmission.
After the mouthparts penetrate the host’s skin, the tick secures attachment by secreting a cement-like substance that hardens around the hypostome. This cement prevents dislodgement during the feeding period, which can last from several days to weeks depending on the developmental stage.
Saliva released into the feeding site contains anticoagulants, vasodilators, and immunomodulatory proteins. Anticoagulants maintain blood flow, vasodilators increase vessel diameter, and immunomodulators suppress local immune responses, allowing uninterrupted ingestion of blood.
During the early phase of feeding, the tick ingests a small volume of plasma to assess host suitability. If conditions are favorable, the tick enters a rapid engorgement phase, expanding its body size dramatically as it consumes up to 200 times its unfed weight.
Pathogen transmission typically occurs in the later stages of feeding. When the tick’s saliva contacts host tissue, microorganisms present in the tick’s midgut migrate to the salivary glands and are injected into the host. This mechanism enables the spread of bacteria, viruses, and protozoa such as Borrelia, Rickettsia, and Babesia.
After completion of the blood meal, the tick detaches by dissolving the cement and drops off the host. The engorged tick then undergoes molting or, in the case of adult females, proceeds to oviposition, laying hundreds of eggs that continue the life cycle.
Key functional stages of an attached tick include:
- Cement secretion for secure anchorage
- Salivary cocktail delivering anticoagulants, vasodilators, and immune suppressors
- Initial plasma uptake for host assessment
- Rapid engorgement and body expansion
- Pathogen migration to salivary glands and host inoculation
- Cement dissolution and detachment for reproductive progression
Understanding each stage clarifies how the parasite sustains itself while acting as a vector for disease‑causing agents.