Prevalence of hard tick infestations in cattle of Mizoram,India

The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of hard tick infestations in cattle of Mizoram from April 2017 to March 2018. The prevalence of hard tick infestations was studied in relation to sex and age of animals and seasonal changes in a year. Cattle of selected places were examined carefully for the presence of ticks and in positive cases ticks were collected manually and identified on the basis of morphological characters. A total of 713 cattle were examined and out of which 452 (63.39%) cattle were found to be infested with hard ticks and the prevalent tick species was Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus. A significantly (p < 0.01) higher infestation was observed in female cattle (66.43%) than males (48.83%). Age-wise highest prevalence of tick infestations was found in 1–5 years (73.41%) age group followed by >5 years age group (61.92%) and < 1 year (42.65%) age group, respectively. Seasonally, the prevalence of hard tick infestation was found highest (p < 0.01) in monsoon (77.91%) and lowest in winter (43.16%). The present study provides data on tick infestation in cattle of Mizoram, India.     

Comparison of resistance in three breeds of cattle against African ixodid ticks

Tick resistance in three breeds of cattle, two indigenous breeds (Arssi and Boran) and one Boran x Friesian cross-breed, were compared following natural tick infestations at Abernossa ranch in Ethiopia. The local Arssi breed was found to have the highest tick resistance, followed by the Boran breed, whereas the Boran x Friesian was the least resistant. Over a period of 12 months, from October 1991 to September 1992, a total of 32 897 ticks composed of four genera were collected from the animals. The four most abundant tick species were Amblyomma variegatum (61.7%), Boophilus decoloratus (16%); Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi (16.3%) and Hyalomma marginatum rufipes (3.7%). Furthermore, 63.5% of all ticks were collected from cross-breed cattle, and 26.2% from the Boran, whereas the local Arssi breed carried only 10.3%. The results indicated that cattle resistant to one species of tick were also resistant to other tick species.     

Prevalence of ixodid ticks on cattle in Mazandaran province, Iran

A survey was carried out to investigate the prevalence of hard tick species (Acari: Ixodidae) on cattle in Mazandaran province, Iran. A total of 953 ticks were collected from 86 infested cattle during activating seasons of ticks during 2004-2005. Nine species were identified: Boophilus annulatus (51.3%), Rhipicephalus bursa (16.8%), Haemaphysalis punctata (6.3%), Ixodes ricinus (6.8%), Hyalomma marginatum (12.5%), Hyalomma anatolicum excavatum (5.2%), Hyalomma asiaticum (0.6%), Hyalomma detritum (0.2 %), and Dermacentor spp. (0.1%). The results show that Boophilus annulatus, Rhipicephalus bursa, and Hyalomma species are dominant tick species in the surveyed area.     

Ecology and phenology of ticks in Zambia: Seasonal dynamics on cattle

A study of the seasonality and infestation rates of ticks was carried out in 11 cattle herds in different ecological habitats in Zambia between 1980 and 1982. Wherever possible supplementary data were obtained from opportunistic collections from cattle and other hosts.Analysis of over 1000 tick collections from cattle indicated that infestation rates of the most important species,Amblyomma variegatum andRhipicephalus appendiculatus vary in different ecological habitats: (i) In Western Province, infestations are much lower than elsewhere; (ii) in Central and Southern Provinces, moderate to high infestations occur; and (iii) in Eastern Province,R. appendiculatus numbers are generally low andA. variegatum numbers are moderate.These two species, however, have similar life cycles throughout their range with one generation per year. Larvae occur mainly from March to May, nymphae from May to September, and adults ofA. variegatum from October to December and ofR. appendiculatus from December to April. Boophilus decoloratus appears to have two to four generations per year but is uncommon during the rainy season. In some areas in central ZambiaRhipicephalus compositus adults are seasonally common in September–October whereasRhipicephalus evertsi is more or less ubiquitous. Low to moderate infestations ofHyalomma truncatum andHyalomma rufipes occur in most areas.At least 14 other less common or rare species ofRhipicephalus, Amblyomma, Haemaphysalis andIxodes were taken infrequently from cattle. These and other host-specific species were also collected from dogs, sheep, various wildlife hosts and the environment.Infestation rates, seasonality and host-relationship of tick species are discussed in relation to their ecology. Relevant biosystematic and disease relationships are reviewed briefly. The baseline data derived from this study are adequate for integrated analysis with those from other ecological and economic investigations to formulate tick control strategies.     

Preferences of different tick species for human hosts in Turkey

The ticks removed from the patients who applied to the hospitals in Istanbul and neighboring cities, Turkey, with the complaint of tick bite were examined in this study, on account of their species, biological stages, attachment sites on the body, and the age of the affected patients. A total of 16,969 ticks were identified. Encountered species were as follows: 33.6 % Ixodes spp. immature, 25.3 % Hyalomma spp. immature, 24.3 % I. ricinus, 9.5 % Rhipicephalus sanguineus gr., 3.2 % R. bursa, 2.2 % Hyalomma marginatum, 1.96 % Haemaphysalis adults, 1.66 % Hyalomma aegyptium, 0.52 % Dermacentor marginatus, 0.39 % Rhipicephalus spp. nymphs, 0.12 % Dermacentor spp. nymphs, 0.11 % Haemaphysalis spp. nymphs, 0.09 % Hyalomma scupense, and 0.03 % Hyalomma excavatum. The distribution of attachment sites of the species and instars showed significant differences. Furthermore, age data of the patients also revealed that certain tick species were more common within certain age groups.     

Two-spotted spider mite reared on resistant eggplant affects consumption rate and life table parameters of its predator,Typhlodromus bagdasarjani (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

The blue tick, Rhipicephalus microplus, threatens cattle production in most tropical and subtropical areas of the world. Delayed skin hypersensitivity reactions are thought to cause Nguni cattle to be more resistant to R. microplus than Bonsmara cattle yet the cellular mechanisms responsible for these differences have not been classified. Tick counts and inflammatory cell infiltrates in skin biopsies from feeding sites of adult R. microplus ticks were determined in 9-month-old Nguni and Bonsmara heifers to determine the cellular mechanisms responsible for tick immunity. Nguni heifers (1.7 ± 0.03) had lower (P < 0.05) tick counts than the Bonsmaras (2.0 ± 0.03). Parasitized sites in Nguni heifers had higher counts of basophils, mast and mononuclear cells than those in the Bonsmara heifers. Conversely, parasitized sites in Nguni heifers had lower neutrophil and eosinophil counts than those in the Bonsmara heifers. Tick count was negatively correlated with basophil and mast cell counts and positively correlated with eosinophil counts in both breeds. In the Bonsmara breed, tick count was positively correlated with mononuclear cell counts. Cellular responses to adult R. microplus infestations were different and correlated with differences in tick resistance in Nguni and Bonsmara cattle breeds. It is essential to further characterise the molecular composition of the inflammatory infiltrate elicited by adult R. microplus infestation to fully comprehend immunity to ticks in cattle.     

Ixodid ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) infesting humans in Tokat Province of Turkey: species diversity and seasonal activity

Ixodid ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) are the major vectors of pathogens threatening animal and human health. Tokat Province, Turkey, is a suitable habitat for extended tick activity with its moderate climate and vegetation. In the present study, we surveyed humans visiting health centers to determine the species diversity, geographical distribution, and seasonal activity of ixodid ticks infesting them. Out of 5,999 adult ticks collected from humans from April to September, 2008, 800 ticks were identified to species, while the remaining were identified to genus according to their distinct morphological characteristics. Hyalomma marginatum, Hyalomma detritum, Rhipicephalus bursa, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus, Haemaphysalis punctata, Dermacentor marginatus, and Ixodes laguri were the most prevalent tick species among 24 ixodid tick species infesting humans in the region. One of these tick species, Hyalomma isacii was identified as a new record for the ixodid tick fauna of Turkey. Hyalomma species were the most abundant in summer, while Dermacentor and Ixodes species displayed the lowest frequency. Hyalomma aegyptium infestation was very common on humans in the province. Results indicated that a variety of ixodid tick species infest humans depending on the season in the target area. It is possible that a variety of ixodid tick species may contribute to the spread of tick‐borne diseases such as Crimean‐Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV), which is endemic in the region.     

Control of tick populations by spraying <Emphasis Type="Italic">Metarhizium anisopliae</Emphasis> conidia on cattle under field conditions

Conidia of the entomopathogenic fungus, Metarhizium anisopliae, in oil/water formulation (1 × 10⁸ conidia/ml) were sprayed at 3 weekly intervals on Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi and Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus ticks while feeding on Afrikana bulls grazing in paddocks for a period of 1 year. The fungus reduced the on-host tick populations by 83% 3 month after commencement of the experiment. The formulation by itself had only minimal effect on the tick population. Tick populations and fungal efficacy were highest at the peaks of rainfall and relative humidity or soon thereafter. Fed and unfed adult R. e. evertsi and R. (B.) decoloratus collected at the end of the experiment from the fungus-sprayed and from the control cattle and incubated in the laboratory exhibited a mortality of 93% in oil formulated conidia and 14% in oil control. The corresponding mortality in R. (B.) decoloratus was 100% in fungus and 11% in oil control. Ticks on the fungus-sprayed groups had significantly higher mortality (P < 0.05) than on the control groups. Furthermore, no significant difference (P < 0.05) was observed in fungus-induced mortality between the two tick species. Mortalities induced by Triton X-100 (0.05%), sunflower oil (20%) and water alone were low, suggesting that they were non-toxic to ticks at the concentrations used and no significant difference was observed among them. No physical or behavioral abnormalities were observed in the fungus-sprayed cattle at any time during the course of the experiment. All groups of cattle gained weights during the experimental period.     

Ticks on humans in Ankara,Turkey

In this study, a total of 5,094 ticks found on humans were examined in terms of species, development stage, gender, host features and seasonality for a year period. Of these ticks 17 were argasid and 5,077 were ixodid. Predominantly species of the ixodid genera Hyalomma, Dermacentor, Rhipicephalus and Haemaphysalis were found on humans in Ankara (Anatolia). Most abundant were Hyalomma nymphs (29.8%) and adults (28.2%). Primary factors in terms of tick bite risk were region, habitat and season.     

An update on the ecological distribution of Ixodid ticks infesting cattle in Rwanda: countrywide cross-sectional survey in the wet and the dry season

As part of the epidemiological studies aimed at developing an East Coast fever (ECF) immunisation control strategy, which combines an infection and treatment method with strategic tick control, a countrywide tick survey was carried out in both the dry and the wet season to determine the abundance and the dynamics of the tick populations infesting cattle in Rwanda. Six Ixodid tick species where identified from a total of 12,814 tick specimens collected. Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, the main vector of ECF was the most abundant (91.8%) followed by Boophilus decoloratus (6.1%) and Ambyomma variegatum (1.2%). Few ticks from the three other less economically important Ixodid species (Rhipicephalus compositus, R. evertsi evertsi and Ixodes cavipalpus) were recovered. Both adult and immature stages of the most dominant tick species were found to be widespread with a year round presence. The numbers of ticks were high in low land and medium zones and declined markedly in the higher regions of Rwanda. The geographical distribution of various tick species throughout the country and their epidemiological implications are discussed.     

Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases of Livestock Belonging to Resource-poor Farmers in the Eastern Free State of South Africa

The paper provides a summary of three studies conducted in the eastern Free State of South Africa between 1998 and 2000. In a questionnaire-based study approximately 21% of interviewed resource-poor farmers (n = 150) indicated that they experienced problems with ticks and tick-borne diseases. About 56% of farmers indicated that tick-related problems were most severe in summer, while 32% indicated that the most problems were encountered in winter. About 12% indicated that the tick problems were experienced throughout the year. Farmers also indicated that the highest tick burdens were experienced between spring and early winter. The principal ticks infesting cattle (n = 30) were found to be Boophilus decoloratus (53.1%), Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi (44.7%), Rhipicephalus follis (1.0%), Rhipicephalus gertrudae (0.7%) and Rhipicephalus warburtoni (0.4%). On small stock (n = 188), R. evertsi evertsi (68%) and B. decoloratus (32%) were recorded as the main ticks in the study area. A sero-epidemiological survey of cattle (n = 386) showed that 94% of cattle were sero-positive for Babesia bigemina by IFAT, while 87% were sero-positive for Anaplasma by indirect ELISA. All the animals were sero-negative for Babesia bovis and this is probably because the tick vector, Boophilus microplus, is not present in the study area. All sheep and goats were sero-positive for Theileria species by IFAT while 85% of sheep and 100% of goats tested positive for Anaplasma species by competition inhibition ELISA. The high incidence of positive serological results for B. bigemina and Anaplasma in cattle, and Theileria and Anaplasma in sheep and goats and the absence of clinical cases would indicate that this area is endemically stable for these diseases. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Efficacy of pheromone-acaricide-impregnated tail-tag decoys for controlling the bont tick,Amblyomma hebraeum (Acari: Ixodidae), on cattle in Zimbabwe

A large-scale field test using pheromone-acaricide-impregnated plastic tail-tag decoys demonstrated excellent efficacy of these devices for control of the bont tick,Amblyomma hebraeum, on cattle in Zimbabwe. The tail tags were impregnated with a mixture containingo-nitrophenol, methyl salicylate, 2,6-dichlorophenol and phenylacetaldehyde and one of three different acaricides (cyfluthrin, flumethrin or alphacypermethrin).o-Nitrophenol and methyl salicylate are components of theA. hebraeum attraction-aggregation-attachment pheromone, while 2,6-dichlorophenol and phenylacetaldehyde are proven attractants for this tick. Botho-nitrophenol and methyl salicylate were lost gradually from the tags over 12 and 14 week periods, respectively. In field trials, tick counts were compared between cattle that received tail tags either impregnated with pheromone mixture alone, cyfluthrin and pheromone mixture, flumethrin and pheromone mixture, alphacypermethrin and pheromone mixture or were left untreated. During the first 3 month trial period, control of adult bont ticks was 94.9% with cyfluthrin tail tags and 87.5% with flumethrin tail tags. In general, there was no significant difference in bont tick numbers on cattle without tags and those with tail tags containing pheromone only. When the trial was repeated for another 3 month period, control of bont ticks with tail tags containing cyfluthrin and flumethrin was 99.3 and 95.1%, respectively. However, control of bont ticks using alphacypermethrin was only 79.2%. Overall, retention of tail tags was excellent although some loss was encountered during the rainy season. In addition to controlling bont ticks, the tail tags provided moderate control of other tick species (Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi, Rhipicephalus zambeziensis andHyalomma spp.) simultaneously infesting cattle in the trials.Deceased.     

Monthly dynamics of ticks (Acari: Ixodida) infesting N'Dama cattle in the Republic of Guinea

The occurrence of ixodid ticks on N'Dama cattle was studied in the Republic of Guinea between June 1994 and May 1995. Monthly tick collections were performed on 80 animals from 14 villages located in Dabola, Kouroussa and Dinguiraye prefectures. A total of 19,804 ticks was collected and classified using standard taxonomic keys. The following tick species were identified: Amblyomma variegatum, Hyalomma marginatum rufipes, Hyalomma trunctum, Hyalomma nitidum, Rhipicephalus lunulatus, Rhipicephalus muhsamae, Rhipicephalus senegalensis, Rhipicephalus sulcatus, Rhipicephalus turanicus, Boophilus annulatus, Boophilus geigyi. Boophilus spp. were the most numerous adult ticks (57.1%), Am. variegatum adults constituted 27.4%, while 12.4% were Rhipicephalus spp. and 2.5% Hyalomma spp. Rhipicephalus turanicus and Hyalomma nitidum were recorded for the first time in the country. Am. variegatum and Boophilus spp. were present throughout the year, whereas Am. variegatum adults showed a peak during the rainy season between April and September. Immature stages collected belonged exclusively to the genera Amblyomma and Boophilus. Am. variegatum larvae and nymphs showed a peak during the dry season (October-March); no significant variation between seasons was observed for Boophilus immatures. A significantly higher infestation of cattle by Rhipicephalus spp. was found in Dabola and Kouroussa prefectures, located in the southern part of the study area, with similar climatic, vegetation and rainfall characteristics. Possible options for the control of ticks in the study area are briefly discussed.     

Tick survey and detection of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus in tick species from a non-endemic area, South Marmara region, Turkey

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is an increasing health concern in Turkey since 2002. There were also some recent human cases from the South Marmara region of Turkey; thus, a tick survey was performed, and possible vector tick species for the CCHF virus were determined in the region. A total of 740 adult ticks were collected from infested livestock from five locations: Çanakkale-Biga, Bursa-Orhaneli, Bursa-Keles, Bal?kesir and Bilecik. Total of 11 tick species from the genera Hyalomma, Rhipicephalus, Dermacentor, Ixodes and Haemaphysalis were identified. Rhipicephalus ticks were dominant in the region; the most frequently observed tick species was R. turanicus, (53.1 %), and only 15.4 % of the identified ticks were H. marginatum. The occurrence of H. rufipes infestation in the region fort he first time. A total of 73 pools of adult ticks were tested with both an antigen-detecting ELISA and RT real-time PCR (RT rt PCR). The presence of the CCHF virus was demonstrated in 9 (12.3 %) of the tested tick pools. Although seven of the tick pools were positive for the CCHF virus with both of the methods, one pool was positive only with RT rt PCR and the other pool was only positive with the ELISA. Positive results were obtained from ticks collected from cattle, sheep and goats from two locations, Bursa-Orhaneli and Bilecik. The CCHF virus was detected in R. turanicus (n = 3), R. bursa (n = 2), H. marginatum (n = 2) and D. marginatus (n = 2) ticks. The results of this study confirm the presence of the CCHF virus and present preliminary data on the vector tick species in the southern Marmara region of Turkey.     

Immunity against Boophilus annulatus induced by the Bm86 (Tick-GARD) vaccine

Friesian cattle were immunized with two inoculations of anti-tick Bm86 (Tick-GARD) vaccine and were challenged 30 or 90 d later with Boophilus annulatus larvae derived from 1.2 g of eggs. No nymphs or adult ticks were found on the immunized cattle during four weeks after challenge. Repeated infestations (2 to 4) with larvae on three other calves during a period of 160 and 390 d after the immunization did not result in development of nymphal and adult stages. In control, non-immunized cattle infested with corresponding batches of larvae 1380 to 4653 replete adult female ticks were collected. Larvae issued from Babesia bovis-infected female ticks transmitted the infection to Bm86-immunized cattle, but the progeny of B. bigemina-infected females did not. Since B. bigemina is transmitted exclusively by nymphal stages of Bo. annulatus these results support the observation that immunity induced by Bm86 affects the larval stage of this tick.     

Staphylococcus saprophyticus is a pathogen of the cattle tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus

During experimental Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Acari: Ixodidae) infestation on cattle, approximately 5% of engorged female ticks showed symptoms of bacterial infection. The affected ticks were unable to oviposit, secreted a distinctive yellow exudate through the genital orifice and eventually died. Microscopic analysis of tick exudate showed abundant clusters of Gram-positive cocci bacteria that were isolated and cultured on bacteriological medium. Biochemical phenotyping and 16S rRNA ribotyping analysis on cultured bacteria identified it as Staphylococcus saprophyticus. This species was also isolated from healthy tick larvae, indicating that S. saprophyticus is commonly found in ticks during different developmental stages. However, conspicuous symptoms are only found on fully engorged females. Cultured S. saprophyticus induced identical pathological symptoms when the bacteria were experimentally inoculated into healthy ticks, demonstrating it to be the causative agent of the R. microplus infectious lethal disease described in this work.     

Seasonal variation in prevalence of gastrointestinal helminthoses in cattle of New Alluvial zone of West Bengal,India

Gastrointestinal parasitism is one of the major constraints for profitable livestock production. The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence and seasonal variation in gastrointestinal helminthic infections in cattle of New Alluvial zone of West Bengal. A total 2520 faecal samples of cattle were collected from five different places of NAZ of West Bengal during the study period i.e. March 2014 to February 2015. The faecal samples were examined by standard sedimentation and floatation technique. The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was recorded as 55.71% in cattle of NAZ and Paramphistome (40.64%) was recorded as the predominant parasite followed by Strongyle group of nematodes (8.25%) and Fasciola (3.33%). Moniezia was the only cestode parasite recorded with an overall prevalence of 1.97%. Statistically significant (p < 0.05) variation was observed in the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths among the various seasons. Monsoon season has significantly (p < 0.05) higher prevalence of gastrointestinal helminthes (64.28%) followed by winter (57.14%) and lowest in summer (45.24%). Prevalence of Paramphistome (47.62%) and Strongyle (9.52) were also significantly (p < 0.05) higher monsoon compared to other seasons. The epidemiological knowledge/information gathered in the present study would be exploited for evolving strategic control method against gastrointestinal parasitic infections in cattle.     

Natural occurrence of lethal aspergillosis in the cattle tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Acari:Ixodidae)

The purpose of this study was to describe an unreported entomopathogenic fungus that naturally infects the cattle tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Acari: Ixodidae). Engorged female ticks, showed symptoms of fungal infection after controlled tick infestation of cattle. Infected ticks developed a distinctive dark colour, a pale mould grew over the cuticle and the ticks eventually died covered with fungal conidiophores. The responsible fungus was isolated and cultured on mycological medium and submitted to microscopic morphology, biochemical phenotyping and 18S rRNA ribotyping analyses, which identified it as aflatoxin-producing Aspergillus flavus. Spores from the cultured fungus were experimentally sprayed over healthy engorged female ticks, obtaining an 80% prevalence of experimental infection of healthy ticks and their egg masses, the larval progeny after incubation under laboratory conditions was also infected. These results demonstrate that A. flavus is the causative agent of the natural fungal disease of the cattle tick R. microplus described here.     

Electrospun micro- and nanofiber tubes for functional nervous regeneration in sciatic nerve transections

Background

Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) spp. ticks economically impact on cattle production in Africa and other tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Tick vaccines constitute a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to tick control. The R. microplus Bm86 protective antigen has been produced by recombinant DNA technology and shown to protect cattle against tick infestations.

Results

In this study, the genes for Bm86 (R. microplus), Ba86 (R. annulatus) and Bd86 (R. decoloratus) were cloned and characterized from African or Asian tick strains and the recombinant proteins were secreted and purified from P. pastoris. The secretion of recombinant Bm86 ortholog proteins in P. pastoris allowed for a simple purification process rendering a final product with high recovery (35–42%) and purity (80–85%) and likely to result in a more reproducible conformation closely resembling the native protein. Rabbit immunization experiments with recombinant proteins showed immune cross-reactivity between Bm86 ortholog proteins.

Conclusion

These experiments support the development and testing of vaccines containing recombinant Bm86, Ba86 and Bd86 secreted in P. pastoris for the control of tick infestations in Africa.     

Rhipicephalus appendiculatus feeding on rabbits and cattle: Salivary-gland responses to varying host resistance

AdultRhipicephalus appendiculatus ticks were fed as three sequential infestations on both rabbits and cattle. The feedings at first infestation on naive hosts were optimum for the ticks, whereas at third infestation the hosts were resistant, as expressed by reduced tick feeding performance. Ticks from naive and resistant hosts were examined for histological differences of salivary glands. In ticks fed on resistant rabbits there was a large increase in the synthesis of glycoprotein secretory granules in thec ₁ cells compared with ticks fed on naive rabbits. In ticks fed on naive and resistant cattle, the activity of thec ₁ cells was less than in ticks fed on naive and resistant rabbits. It was concluded that the salivary glands are able to respond selectively to conditions at the feeding site, and that this may be advantageous to the tick.