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.     

Ixodes ricinus is the dominant questing tick in forest habitats in Romania: the results from a countrywide dragging campaign

In 2010 and 2011, questing ticks were collected from 188 forested locations in all the 41 counties of Romania using the dragging method. The total of 13,771 ticks collected belonged to eleven species: Ixodes ricinus (86.9?%), Dermacentor marginatus (9.5?%), Haemaphysalis punctata (2.6?%), H. concinna (0.6?%), H. sulcata (0.3?%), H. parva (0.1?%), Hyalomma marginatum (0.02?%), D. reticulatus (0.02?%), I. crenulatus (0.007?%), I. hexagonus (0.007?%) and I. laguri (0.007?%). Ixodes ricinus was present in 97.7?% (n?=?180) of locations, occurring exclusively in 41.7?% of the locations, whereas it was the dominant species in 38.8 % of the other locations, accounting for over 70?% of the total tick community. The following most common questing ticks were D. marginatus, H. punctata and H. concinna. Ixodes ricinus co-occurred with one, two or three sympatric species. The occurrence of D. reticulatus in forested habitats from Romania was found to be accidental.     

Ticks collected from selected mammalian hosts surveyed in the Republic of Korea during 2008-2009

A tick survey was conducted to determine the relative abundance and distribution of ticks associated with selected mammals in the Republic of Korea (ROK) during 2008-2009. A total of 918 ticks were collected from 76 mammals (6 families, 9 species) captured at 6 provinces and 3 Metropolitan Cities in ROK. Haemaphysalis longicornis (54.4%) was the most frequently collected tick, followed by Haemaphysalis flava (28.5%), Ixodes nipponensis (7.6%), Ixodes pomerantzevi (4.8%), Ixodes persulcatus (4.6%), and Haemaphysalis japonica (0.1%). Adults (57.0%) and nymphs (28.7%) of Ixodes and Haemaphysalis spp. were collected most frequently from medium or large mammals in this survey, while few larvae (14.3%) were collected. Hydropotes inermis was the most frequently captured mammal (52.6%), with a 16.4 tick index and 5 of 6 species of ticks collected during this survey. H. longicornis (69.7%) was the predominant tick collected from H. inermis, followed by H. flava (22.2%), I. persulcatus (6.1%), I. nipponensis (1.8%), and H. japonica (0.2%).     

Acarological studies in two protected areas of Central Italy

In the present note are reported the results of preliminary studies on tick distribution in two wildlife areas of Abruzzo (National Park of Abruzzo, a mountainous area, approximately 40,000 ha, in Central Apennines, interesting Abruzzo, Latium and Molise regions) and Latium (Capocotta-Castel Porziano Presidential reserve, on the Tyrrhenian coast, 30 km from Rome). Sampling of ticks from domestic and wild mammals as well as from vegetation, was performed in three different areas of the National Park in 1995. Tick species identified include Rhipicephalus bursa, R. sanguineus, Hyalomma marginatum, Haemaphysalis punctata, Dermacentor marginatus, Ixodes ricinus, I. hexagonus. The presence of I. ricinus was discontinuous and sporadic. In Capocotta estate, samplings were performed bimonthly from March to November 1997 in an restricted area (1 ha) with typical Mediterranean flora and fauna. The following species were collected: I. ricinus, Haemaphysalis concinna, D. marginatus, R. bursa, Hy. marginatum. There was a high dominance of I. ricinus and H. concinna.     

Distribution and molecular detection of Theileria and Babesia in questing ticks from northern Spain

Abstract.  A total of 562 questing adult ixodid ticks, collected during 2003−05 in 10 recreational mountain areas in northern Spain, were analysed for piroplasm infection. Reverse line blot (RLB) analysis using a panel of probes for 23 piroplasm species identified 16 different piroplasms, with an overall prevalence of 9.3%. Most were Theileria spp.-positive (7.7%), 3.0% were positive for Babesia spp. and 1.4% of ticks harboured both genera. Ixodes ricinus (Linnaeus, 1758), the most abundant tick in the vegetation, ranked third with regard to piroplasm infection prevalence (11.4%) after Rhipicephalus bursa (Canestrini & Fanzago, 1878) (16.0%) and Haemaphysalis punctata (Canestrini & Fanzago, 1878) (13.5%). Infection was detected in 6.2% of Dermacentor reticulatus (Fabricius, 1794) and in 1.1% of Haemaphysalis inermis (Birula, 1895), but was absent from Haemaphysalis concinna (Koch, 1844). Ixodes ricinus carried more piroplasm species (13), followed by H. punctata (10), D. reticulatus (8), R. bursa (3) and H. inermis (1). Although most of the positive ticks harboured a single infection (76.9%), mixed infections with two or three different piroplasm species were also detected (23.1%). The various tick−pathogen associations found are discussed and prevalences of infection in ticks are compared with previous results on piroplasms infecting animals in the same region.     

Distribution and ecology of ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) infesting livestock in Tunisia: an overview of eighth years field collections

Ticks (Ixodidae) play a significant role as vectors of pathogens of domestic animals in Tunisia. The major losses caused by ticks are related to transmission of protozoan parasites. These include agents of tropical theileriosis and babesiosis in ruminants. Since 1991, we conducted research studies on tick population of livestock in Tunisia. This overview reports a synthesis on tick distribution, their biology and their role as vectors of pathogens in domestic animals, particularly cattle. During the whole period of the study about 15,000 tick specimens were collected from different zones of the country. A total of 14 species were identified. Hyalomma detritum detritum was the most abundant and important (vector of Theileria annulata) species infesting cattle. Hyalomma dromedarii and Hyalomma impeltatum were collected on domestic ruminants in the arid and desertic zones. Hyalomma marginatum marginatum and Hyalomma anatolicum excavatum were widespread and found on livestock hosts. Ixodes ricinus, vector of Babesia divergens and Borrelia burgdorferi sl, colonises mainly the humid zone. Boophilus annulatus and Rhipicephalus bursa infesting cattle, sheep and goats were found in the sub-humid and semi-arid zones. Haemaphysalis sulcata and Hae. punctata were collected in humid and sub-humid zones on cattle and sheep. Rhipicephalus turanicus were collected in different regions, on different animal species. Rhipicephalus sanguineus, tick of dogs, were often collected on livestock. Only few specimens of Hyalomma marginatum rufipes and Hyalomma franchinii were collected.     

The distribution of Hyalomma spp. ticks from domestic ruminants in Iran

The distribution of Hyalomma species on domestic animals was studied in four zoogeoghraphical zones. Nine hundred and ninety-two Hyalomma ticks were collected from sheep, goats, cattle and camels. A total of seven tick species consisting of: Hyalomma anatolicum Koch, 1844 (28.93%), H. excavatum Koch, 1844 (12.5%), H. asiaticum Schulze & Schlottke, 1930 (13.5%), H. marginatum Koch, 1844 (27.01%), H. detritum Schulze, 1919 (9.67%), H. schulzei Olenev, 1931 (4.03%) and H. dromedary Koch, 1844 (4.33%) were recorded. The results indicated that H. anatolicum, H. asiaticum, H. marginatum and H. detritum were present in all zones whereas H. excavatum was absent in Zone I. The result also showed that H. dromedari was presented in Zones III and IV whereas H. schulzei was present in Zones II and III. During this study, the tick species collected are candidates for investigation as vectors of pathogenic organisms in Iran.     

Risk factors associated with ixodid tick species distributions in the Basque region in Spain

Ixodid tick abundance was investigated in the Basque region in Spain in two 1-year longitudinal studies, in 1992-1993 and 2003-2004. Forty zones were visited monthly and 162 672 ticks (87% larvae, 12% nymphs and 1% adults) were collected by blanket dragging. Eleven tick species belonging to the genera Ixodes, Haemaphysalis, Rhipicephalus and Dermacentor were identified including Haemaphysalis concinna Koch, which had not previously been reported in Spain. Tick species abundance differed between zones, studies and seasons. In 1992-1993, Haemaphysalis punctata Canestrini & Fanzago was the predominant species and distinct spring-summer and autumn-early winter peaks of activity were observed. In 2003-2004, Ixodes ricinus (Linneaus) was the most common species and was active throughout the winter. Larval and nymph seasonal activity patterns coincided in both 1993 and 2003 and this could facilitate co-feeding transmission of pathogens. Higher tick abundance was associated with increased livestock abundance in 1992-1993 and milder winter temperatures in 2003-2004. Tick collection rates in areas with moderate and high tick density were positively associated with the interaction between ambient temperature at sampling and rainfall 7 days prior to sampling. Collection rates were also significantly higher at medium rather than higher altitude, in forested areas than in open grasslands and lower in recreational areas frequented by people and with wet vegetation at sampling.     

Ticks infesting domestic animals in Italy: current acarological studies carried out in Sardinia and Basilicata regions

The note reviews published and unpublished data on acaralogical studies carried out by different parasitologists' groups in Sardinia and Basilicata regions. In Sardinia 72 collecting sites were investigated and a total of 4,086 ticks were collected from hosts (cattle, sheep, goats and pigs) and from soil. So far 2,413 ticks belonging to six genera have been identified: Rhipicephalus (67.2%), Haemaphysalis (24.1%), Hyalomma (2.7%), Boophilus (0.7%), Dermacentor (4.9%), Ixodes (0.3%). Host-associated ticks were collected from 50 out of 200 selected farms in Basilicata. About 4,000 tick specimens were collected and 1,794 ticks have been identified (of which 1,215 were adults, 6 larvae and 573 nymphs). The following genera were identified: Ixodes (20%), Rhipicephalus (27%), Hyalomma (31%), Haemaphysalis (18%), Dermacentor (6%). The seasonal distribution of the species identified in the two regions studies is discussed from a geographical and climatic point of view.     

Goats,hares, and rabbits as hosts for the New Zealand cattle tick,Haemaphysalis longicornis

Abstract

Feral goats and hares were commonly infested by immature stages of the New Zealand cattle tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis. No explanation could be found for the low prevalence of adult ticks on these hosts. The ears of both host species were almost the exclusive feeding site of the ticks and this may be a consequence of grooming behaviour. Another potential host, the rabbit, was examined but few were found to be infested.

The less restricted range of non-domesticated hosts, together with feeding habits that differ from domestic stock, make them an important additional source of information on the ecology and seasonal pattern of activity of H. longicornis. Also, they are a source of contamination for tick-free pasture, and could possibly maintain the tick population in the absence of sheep and cattle. It is important that their role as alternative hosts be understood and considered in tick-control programmes.     

Babesia spp. identified by PCR in ticks collected from domestic and wild ruminants in southern Switzerland

Concurrent infections with vector-borne pathogens affected a cattle herd in Switzerland, and one of the pathogens was identified as Babesia bigemina, which had never been observed in this country before. Therefore, a survey of the occurrence of ruminant Babesia spp. and their tick vectors in Switzerland was conducted. A total of 2,017 ticks were collected from sheep, goats, cattle, and wild ruminants (deer, roe deer, and chamois) in southern parts of Switzerland and identified morphologically. The vast majority of the ticks (99.2%) were Ixodes ricinus, but 14 ticks from sheep and goats were identified as Dermacentor marginatus and two ticks from wild ruminants were identified as Hemaphysalis punctata. PCR analyses of 700 ticks revealed the presence of Babesia divergens (n = 6), Babesia sp. genotype EU1 (n = 14), and B. major (n = 2), whose suggested occurrence was confirmed in this study by molecular analysis, and the presence of novel Babesia sp. genotype CH1 (n = 4), which is closely related to B. odocoilei and to Babesia sp. genotype RD61 reported from North America. The identification of B. divergens and B. major in ticks collected from wild ruminants cast doubt on the postulated strict host specificity of these bovine Babesia species. Furthermore, the zoonotic Babesia sp. genotype EU1 was detected in ticks collected from domestic animals but was obtained predominantly from ticks collected from wild ruminants. More than one tick containing DNA of different Babesia spp. were collected from two red deer. Hence, the role of these game animals as reservoir hosts of Babesia spp. seems to be important but requires further investigation.     

Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan): Molecular evidence of experimental transmission to sheep by Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis and Haemaphysalis longicornis

Ovine babesiosis is an economically important disease induced by tick transmitted haemoparasites throughout the world. In China, several ovine Babesia strains have been isolated from field-collected ticks or sheep blood during the last two decades but little is known about the vector ticks and transmission pattern. Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) is a Babesia strain infective for sheep and goats, isolated from blood of sheep experimentally infested with Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis collected in field. In the present study, we explored the experimental transmission of Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) to sheep by H. qinghaiensis and Haemaphysalis longicornis. Based on the evidence from nested PCR, it suggested that H. qinghaiensis and H. longicornis are the potential vector ticks of Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) and that larvae, nymphs and adults of both tick species were able to transmit Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) to sheep. Parasites could be detected in the blood, by specific nested PCR, for one month post-infestation.     

Tick species infesting ruminants in Italy: ecological and bio-climatic factors affecting the different regional distribution

The distribution of tick species able to infest ruminants in Italy is briefly reviewed on the basis of published records and new data obtained in several surveys carried out mainly in northern Italy. The most frequent and abundant tick species found on ruminants throughout Italy are Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor marginatus, the first gradually replacing its association with sheep by the association with wild ruminants. Rhipicephalus bursa was mainly found on cattle while R. turanicus, which is considered one of the most sheep-associated species, was found only on wild boar. Haemaphysalis punctata, H. sulcata and H. parva are the other tick species quite frequently found on small ruminants when they are reared on pastures mainly in central-southern Italy. However, the land exploitation of these last decades has dramatically reduced the diversity of Italian environment and significantly modified the distribution and the abundance of ticks causing a heavy spread of the tick species characterized by a strong adaptability such as I. ricinus and R. sanguineus. If this trend continues, it is possible to hypothesise that few "resistant" tick species will gradually replace most of the others. This hypothesis seems to be confirmed by the high percentage observed for I. ricinus (57.4%) and R. sanguineus (35.73%) out of 8,712 specimens collected from several different hosts and from the environment.     

Seasonal Distribution of Ticks in Four Habitats near the Demilitarized Zone,Gyeonggi-do (Province), Republic of Korea

This study describes the seasonal distribution of larvae, nymph, and adult life stages for 3 species of ixodid ticks collected by tick drag and sweep methods from various habitats in the Republic of Korea (ROK). Grasses less than 0.5 m in height, including herbaceous and crawling vegetation, and deciduous, conifer, and mixed forests with abundant leaf/needle litter were surveyed at United States (US) and ROK operated military training sites and privately owned lands near the demilitarized zone from April-October, 2004 and 2005. Haemaphysalis longicornis Neumann adults and nymphs were more frequently collected from April-August, while those of Haemaphysalis flava Neumann and Ixodes nipponensis Kitaoka and Saito were collected more frequently from April-July and again during October. H. longicornis was the most frequently collected tick in grass habitats (98.9%), while H. flava was more frequently collected in deciduous (60.2%) and conifer (57.4%) forest habitats. While more H. flava (54.1%) were collected in mixed forest habitats than H. longicornis (35.2%), the differences were not significant. I. nipponensis was more frequently collected from conifer (mean 8.8) compared to deciduous (3.2) and mixed (2.4) forests.     

Tick infestations of white-tailed deer in Alabama.

Four species of ticks were collected from 537 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), examined during the hunting seasons (November to January) of 1988-89 and 1989-90 at selected locations in Alabama (USA). Ixodes scapularis was the most common tick recovered (2,060 specimens) and infested 54% of the deer. Dermacentor albipictus was the second most frequent tick (1,253 specimens) and infested 15% of the deer. Amblyomma americanum was the third most frequent tick (315 specimens) and infested 24% of the deer; this was the only species of tick collected from deer at all sampling locations. Amblyomma maculatum was an infrequent parasite (five specimens) and infested only 1% of the deer; this tick species was only recorded during the 1989-90 season. Year-to-year and geographical differences in tick infestation parameters were noted. The data are compared with those reported for previous surveys of ticks infesting white-tailed deer in Alabama and adjacent states.     

No Detection of Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus from Ixodid Ticks Collected in Seoul

Larvae, nymphs, and adult stages of 3 species of ixodid ticks were collected by tick drag methods in Seoul during June-October 2013, and their infection status with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) virus was examined using RT-PCR. During the period, 732 Haemaphysalis longicornis, 62 Haemaphysalis flava, and 2 Ixodes nipponensis specimens were collected. Among the specimens of H. longicornis, the number of female adults, male adults, nymphs, and larvae were 53, 11, 240, and 446, respectively. Ticks were grouped into 63 pools according to the collection site, species, and developmental stage, and assayed for SFTS virus. None of the pools of ticks were found to be positive for SFTS virus gene.     

The seasonal occurrence of ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) on sheep and in the field in the Judean area of Israel

A 2 year survey of ixodid ticks in the Judean area of Israel between 1983 and 1985 showed that sheep were parasitized by the following species:Rhipicephalus sanguineus group (30.6%),Rhipicephalus bursa (25.3%),Haemaphysalis cretica (20.5%),Haemaphysalis otophila (20.1%) andHyalomma anatolicum excavatum (3.1%). Three other species,Hyalomma marginatum rufipes, Boophilus annulatus andAmblyomma lepidum were also present but in very low numbers. A total of 50 816 specimens (78.1% adult ticks) were collected from the sheep. In the field, a total of 4780 ticks (8.7% adults) were collected and 64.3% consisted ofR. bursa. Other species found wereH. cretica (14.5%),H. a. excavatum (13.7%),H. otophila (3.4%),R. sanguineus group (1.9%) and 1.7% wasIxodes eldaricus. The number of ticks collected varied from year to year and seasonal activity was observed in all species except forH. a. excavatum. In all species, males outnumbered females, with the exception ofH. cretica. The seasonal occurrence, tick ecology and disease relationship is discussed for each species.     

Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) parasitizing wild carnivores in Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary, Thailand

Ixodid ticks were collected and identified from 8 wild carnivore species in Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary, northeastern Thailand. Six tick species belonging to 4 genera were recovered and identified from 132 individuals. These included Amblyomma testudinarium (n = 36), Haemaphysalis asiatica (n = 58), H. hystricis (n = 31), H. semermis (n = 3), Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides (n = 3), and Ixodes granulatus (n = 1). Leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis) (n = 19) were infested with 4 tick species, whereas yellow-throated marten (Martes flavigula) (n = 4), clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) (n = 2), and dhole (Cuon alpinus) (n = 1) were infested with 3 tick species, Asiatic golden cat (Catopuma temmincki) (n = 2) with 2 species, and marbled cat (Pardofelis marmorata), binturong (Arctictis binturong), and large Indian civet (Viverra zibetha) each infested with 1 species. This information contributes to the knowledge available on the ectoparasites of wild carnivores in Southeast Asia.     

Severe tick infestation in a hare and potential risk for transmitting pathogens to humans

Severe tick infestation was found in a hare in a suburban area of Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China. We sampled ticks and identified them based on their morphologic characteristics. Three species, Ixodes sinensis, which is commonly found in China and can experimentally transmit Borrelia burgdorferi, Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides, and Haemaphysalis longicornis which can transmit Lyme disease were detected with an optical microscope and a stereomicroscope. Risk of spreading ticks from suburban to urban areas exists due to human transportation and travel between the infested and non-infested areas around Nanchang.     

Cross-sectional survey of ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) in sheep from an area of the southern Italian Apennines

A cross-sectional survey of ticks was conducted on 197 ovine farms with animals pasturing in an area (3971 km2) of the southern Italian Apennines. The farms were selected to be uniformly distributed throughout the study area using Geographical Information System (GIS). Ticks were collected from 309 (31.4%) out of the 985 sheep sampled, belonging to 92 (46.7%) out of the 197 farms included in the study. The following tick species were found (farm prevalence): Dermacentor marginatus (37.6%), Haemaphysalis punctata (29.4%), H. sulcata (2.5%), H. parva (2.0%). H. inermis (0.5%), Ixodes gibbosus (2.0%), I. ricinus (0.5%), Rhipicephalus sanguineus group (1.0%), and R. bursa (0.5%). A point distribution map (PDM) was drawn by GIS in order to display the distribution of each tick genus in the study area. The general trends of the PDM show that Dermacentor marginatus and Haemaphysalis spp. were widely and homogeneously spread throughout the study area, whereas Rhipicephalus spp. and Ixodes spp. were present only in a few concentrated zones of the study area in accordance to their biological and ecological characteristics.