Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Tick Control”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 829 records · Page 46Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Prevalence of the poultry red mite, Dermanyssus gallinae, in different types of production systems for egg layers in Sweden.

This study was undertaken between May and December 1994 to investigate the prevalence of hematophagous mites in Sweden. A particular aim was to establish the relationship between occurrence of mites and certain types of production systems for egg layers. Initially a postal questionnaire study was performed. Some months later this was followed up by inspections, sampling, and interviews on farms. The only mite species found was the red poultry mite, Dermanyssus gallinae. Although this species was found to be present in cage batteries, deep-litter systems, and backyard flocks, it was less prevalent among birds housed in cages. About 4% of the cage systems were found to be affected both according to the results of the postal inquiry and from the field study. However, discrepancies in prevalence were found when comparing the results obtained with these two investigations regarding alternative, deep-litter systems and backyard flocks. According to the inquiry, 21% of the deep-litter flocks were afflicted whereas 33% were found to be afflicted in the field investigation. Among the backyard flocks, 19% were afflicted whereas as many as 67% of the flocks were found to be afflicted upon inspection. These discrepancies were probably due to the fact that the situation had actually changed in some farms during the study period, but possibly also to inherent methodological errors. Farmers were also interviewed with focus on methods of husbandry and control strategies. Most farmers answered that they were combatting the mites by cleaning the empty houses and using chemicals such as organophosphorous compounds, carbamates, and synthetic pyrethroids. In several instances the problems were still not solved despite these curative or preventive measures. A control program for D. gallinae is suggested by regular screening and certification of the ectoparasite status of the birds before their transfer to production sites.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

[Sensitization to house dust mites: importance and possibilities of allergen elimination].

House-dust mite allergy (Dermatophagoides pteronissinus and Dermatophagoides farinae) is an important causative factor for allergic asthma or rhinitis in children. There is a clear relationship between the degree of allergen exposure and the subsequent development of asthma or the risk of sensitisation. It is therefore useful to know how intensive a patient is exposed to house-dust allergen. This can be managed either by counting all mites in the dust, by measuring of the content of Der p I and Der f I (major antigens of the two mites) per gram dust or using the Acarex test. These methods are also suitable for the control of sanitation measurements, e.g. avoidance of all dust sources in the bedroom and living-room, use of suitable materials for bedding, application of acaricide products and covering mattresses with polyurethane-coated materials.

Allergens↗
PubMed1999

Immunological control of ectoparasites: past achievements and future research priorities.

Recombinant vaccines are available for the control of the tick Boophilus microplus, while progress has been made in the development of vaccines against Lucilia cuprina and Chrysomya bezziana. Literature suggests that the control of other ectoparasites is feasible, either through the duplication in a vaccine of naturally acquired immunity or through 'concealed' antigen vaccines. Major deficiencies in our current knowledge however point to possible research opportunities for the future. The identification of protective antigens from all species is proceeding slowly, particularly for the antigens of naturally acquired immunity. Our capacity to produce effective recombinant antigens has progressed greatly, though there remains a major difficulty where some or all of the protective effect is due to immunogenic oligosaccharide. Our understanding of protective mechanisms is limited. The delivery of the appropriate immunological response remains difficult. Nevertheless, some of the most critical areas of ignorance are in basic biological issues: factors which affect the susceptibility of particular pest species to immunological attack and the implications of vaccine-induced effects for pest and disease control under field conditions. Increasingly too, effective pest control is likely to demand the integration of a variety of control technologies. The study of this integration is in its infancy.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

A new product with formic acid for Varroa jacobsoni Oud. control in Argentina. I. Efficacy.

An organic product based on formic acid in a gel matrix was evaluated for use in Varroa control under autumnal climatic conditions in Argentina. Twenty colonies each received two gel packets with formic acid in two applications and numbers of falling mites were registered. After this treatment colonies received two other acaricides in order to compare efficacy. Average final efficacy in colonies treated with the organic product was 92% with a low variability. The gel matrix kept an adequate formic acid concentration inside the colonies with only two applications. This product is, therefore, a good alternative for Varroa control because it is organic, easy to use and presents a low variability in final efficacy between colonies. No queen, brood, or adult honeybee mortality was registered.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Detection of Anaplasma-marginale-infected tick vectors by using a cloned DNA probe.

Anaplasmosis is the most widely distributed of several important tick-borne diseases that constrain cattle production throughout much of the world. Evaluation of the effectiveness of disease control strategies that integrate vaccination with tick control requires the ability to monitor tick and cattle infection rates. To detect Anaplasma marginale in ticks and bovine erythrocytes, a 2-kilobase DNA fragment from a cloned A. marginale gene coding for a surface protein having a Mr of 105,000 was prepared and evaluated as a probe. The probe was species specific and detected A. marginale DNA derived from infected bovine erythrocytes and adult Dermacentor ticks infected either as nymphs or adults. Tick infection was confirmed by microscopy and test feeding on a susceptible calf. The sensitivity of the probe is suitable for detecting infected ticks in experimental and field epizootiology studies.

Anaplasma↗
PubMed2004

Could insecticide-treated cattle reduce Afrotropical malaria transmission? Effects of deltamethrin-treated Zebu on Anopheles arabiensis behaviour and survival in Ethiopia.

Anopheles arabiensis Patton (Diptera: Culicidae) is the most widespread vector of malaria in the Afrotropical Region. Because An. arabiensis feeds readily on cattle as well as humans, the insecticide-treatment of cattle--as employed to control tsetse (Diptera: Glossinidae) and ticks (Acari: Ixodidae)--might simultaneously affect the malaria vectorial capacity of this mosquito. Therefore, we conducted field experiments in southern Ethiopia to establish whether Zebu cattle (Bos indicus L.) treated with a pour-on pyrethroid formulation of 1% deltamethrin, widely used to control ticks and tsetse, would be effective against An. arabiensis or cause the female mosquitoes to feed more frequently on humans, due to behavioural avoidance of insecticide-treated cattle. Contact bioassays (3 min exposure) showed that the insecticide remained effective for about 1 month (kill rate > 50%) against mosquitoes feeding on the flanks of treated cattle. A novel behavioural assay demonstrated that An. arabiensis readily fed on insecticide-treated cattle and were not deflected to human hosts in the presence of treated cattle. DNA-fingerprinting of bloodmeals revealed that An. arabiensis naturally feeds most frequently on older animals, consistent with the established practice of applying insecticide only to older cattle, while allowing younger untreated animals to gain immunity against infections transmitted by ticks. These encouraging results were tempered by finding that > 90% of An. arabiensis, An. pharoensis and An. tenebrosus females feed on the legs of cattle, farthest from the site of pour-on application along the animal's back and where the treatment may be least residual due to weathering. Observations of mosquitoes feeding naturally on insecticide-treated cattle showed that the majority of wild female anophelines alighted on the host animal for less than 1 min to feed, with significantly shorter mean duration of feeding bouts on insecticide-treated animals, and the effective life of the insecticide was only 1 week. Thus the monthly application of deltamethrin to cattle, typically used to control tsetse and ticks, is unlikely to be effective against An. arabiensis populations or their vectorial capacity. Even so, it seems likely that far greater impact on anopheline mosquitoes could be achieved by applying insecticide selectively to the legs of cattle.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

In vivo evaluation of amitraz against ticks under field conditions in Ethiopia.

An aqueous emulsion of amitraz (Bovitraz, Bayer AH), prepared and applied according to the manufacturer's recommendations, was evaluated for its activity against cattle ticks on a dairy farm in Ethiopia. Eight crossbred heifer calves aged between 6 and 8 months and heavily infested with ticks were selected and divided into equal treatment and control groups. The calves in the treatment group were hand-sprayed with the amitraz emulsion while the control group was left untreated. Each calf was restrained and ticks were counted and identified in situ. One hundred percent tick control was achieved on Day 3 after acaricide application, and this was maintained for a further 18 days. The residual effect was long, and protected the animals from re-infestation for 21 days. There was a significant difference between the mean number of ticks on the control group compared to the treated group (P < 0.05). An important finding in this trial was the rapid detachment of all tick instars from animals treated with the test acaricide.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Environmental control.

Environmental control measures help eliminate triggers that initiate the allergic reaction and reduce the conditions that sustain it. The most frequent offenders are the ubiquitous dust mites, which are ideally suited to living in the home environment. Control measures consist of minimizing their reservoirs in the patient's bedding, carpets, and upholstered furniture; decreasing humidity; and using acaricides. Cats are the source of another important indoor allergen that becomes and stays airborne as small particles. Removal of the animal (or washing it weekly) and the use of high-efficiency particulate air filters for air ducts and vacuum cleaners are useful in reducing dust mite and cat allergens. Dogs and rodents also produce allergens offensive to the sensitized patient and should be removed or relegated outdoors. Cockroaches have become an increasingly prevalent source of allergens responsible for asthma and rhinitis. Their removal is the focus of research, because current control measures are usually inadequate. Molds, which thrive in any moist environment, produce allergens. Closed windows prevent further influx of outdoor molds and pollens, whereas those harbored indoors, including those residing on plants, should be eliminated.

Allergens↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Usefulness of dehumidifiers in the reduction of acari concentrations].

This study analyzes the role of dehumidifiers in asthma prophylaxis. The efficacy of dehumidifiers in the reduction of Dermatophagoides in the bedrooms of 9 patients with specific allergies was evaluated, along with success in reducing in high concentrations of mite allergens (D. pteronissinus I). Results were compared with those for a control group of 8 patients with the same allergy. In the group in whose homes a dehumidifier was installed, there was a significant reduction in relative humidity in the bedroom (54.84 +/- 4.33% and 45.23 +/- 4.92%; p < 0.05) as well as a significant decreased in concentrations of D. pteronissinus I (2.313 +/- 1.831 to 0.42 +/- 0.44 microgram/g; p < 0.05). This was not the case of patients in the control group (51.15 +/- 7.38% to 60.5 +/- 6.15%; p < 0.05 and 3.28 micrograms/g +/- 4.46 to 4.24 +/- 5.10; p = NS).

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

The childhood asthma prevention study (CAPS): design and research protocol of a randomized trial for the primary prevention of asthma.

The Childhood Asthma Prevention Study is a randomized controlled trial to measure whether the incidence of atopy and asthma can be reduced by house dust mite allergen reduction, a diet supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids, or a combination of both interventions. Six hundred and sixteen pregnant women whose unborn children were at high risk of developing asthma because of a family history were randomized prenatally. Study groups are as follows: Group A (placebo diet intervention, no house dust mite reduction), Group B (placebo diet intervention, active house dust mite reduction), Group C (active diet intervention, no house dust mite reduction), and Group D (active diet intervention, active house dust mite reduction). The house dust mite reduction intervention comprises use of physical and chemical methods to reduce allergen contact. The dietary intervention comprises use of a daily oil supplement from 6 months or at onset of bottle-feeding, and use of margarine and cooking oils based on sunflower or canola oils to increase omega-3 dietary intake. Data is collected quarterly until the infant is 1 year old and then half yearly until age 5 years. Questionnaires are used to collect respiratory illness history and information about diet and home environment. Dust is collected from the child's bed and bedroom and playroom floors. Blinded assessments are conducted at 18 months, 3 years, and 5 years. Skin prick tests to common allergens, blood tests, and detailed illness, medication use, and vaccination histories are collected. Primary outcomes will be the development of allergic sensitization and the presence and severity of asthma. This study is designed to measure the effectiveness of allergen reduction and dietary supplementation, both separately and in combination, for the primary prevention of atopy and asthma. The results of this study may have important implications for public health policies to reduce the incidence of childhood asthma. Control Clin Trials 2001;22:333-354

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Asthma and domestic air quality.

In recent years, there has been a global increase in the prevalence of asthma. This has coincided with many modifications to the home environment, resulting in changes to the quality of indoor air. This article considers the links between indoor air pollution and asthma. Exposure to a range of pollutants is examined. Airborne allergens such as those from house dust mites and cockroaches, domestic pets and moulds and fungal spores may be important. Pollution from particulate materials associated with bio-fuel combustion and smoking is discussed, as is the role of chemical vapours and gases including nitrogen dioxide, formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds. The efficacy of various environmental controls to limit the impact of these pollutants is explored. It is concluded that indoor air pollution may be an important risk for asthma and the health impacts of building design and management require greater recognition and further research.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2000

Tropical bont tick (Amblyomma variegatum) eradication in the Caribbean. The St. Kitts experience.

The tropical bont tick (TBT) was first identified in St. Kitts in 1978. Initially, infestation was observed on cattle that developed a severe dermatitis. Over a period of seven years, the TBT spread to most areas of the island, affecting cattle, sheep, and goats. The ruminant livestock population declined from, 6,000, 9,000, and 7,000 cattle, sheep, and goats, respectively, in 1984 to an estimated 400, 800, and 1,000, cattle, sheep, and goats in 1990. A project to control the tropical bont tick on St. Kitts was implemented in 1983. This effort was based on the use of plunge dips located in communal grazing areas. In October of 1995, the Caribbean Amblyomma Programme was initiated on St. Kitts to eradicate the TBT from the Caribbean. In 1996, there were 416 animal owners with 2,000, 4,300, and 4,000 cattle, sheep, and goats, respectively. Cases of dermatophilosis, declined from 657 in 1995 to 153 in 1996. During the period 1997 to 1998 treatment with Flumethrin continued. The Department of Agriculture initiated activities for treatment compliance, monitoring, and TBT surveillance. The animal population increased to 3,000, 6,000, and 4,500 cattle, sheep, and goats, respectively, and with 810 animal owners participating. The number of cases of dermatophilosis declined to 42. In 1998, the TBT was confined to three foci. The remainder of the island was declared provisionally tick free.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Alternative methods for the control of sheep scab.

For nearly 17 years, plunge dipping has been the only method of scab control in the UK under a Government-controlled eradication campaign. Dipping is inconvenient and has been incriminated in the post-dipping illness of stockowners and contractors, and the disposal of large volumes of used dipwash is a potential hazard to the environment. Upon the deregulation of sheep scab in July 1992, stockowners are no longer obliged to dip and will seek alternative methods of scab control, ie, systemic injectables or synthetic pyrethroid pour-ons. Plunge dipping still offers the only fully effective method of controlling scab and it has a broad spectrum of activity against other ectoparasites of sheep. The present systemic pour-ons and oral drenches have little effect against scab, but double injections of systemic acaricides, ie, ivermectin, show great promise. The efficacy of systemic injectables is related to the initial mite burden and the second injection must not be omitted if complete control is to be achieved. The available synthetic pyrethroid pour-ons do not cover the entire sheep with a standard dose of acaricide, and leave the ventral surfaces unprotected and the sheep open to reinfestation.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1999

[Biology of house dust mites (Acari: Astigmata: Pyroglyphidae)].

This article is a first part of the rewiev of the house-dust-mite-atopy problem data. It includes informations on biology of these mites with emphasis of medical aspect and control. We hope that these informations will be of considerable interest to many readers because of the greatly increased investigations into the role of house dust mite sensitivity in allergic diseases.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Determinants of tick-avoidance behaviors in an endemic area for Lyme disease.

BACKGROUND: Tick bite control is an important initiative to prevent Lyme disease and other tickborne infections. While several studies have demonstrated that knowledge and awareness of Lyme disease in endemic areas are good, none has evaluated the relative importance of knowledge with other attitudinal and health belief variables to determine motivators of preventive behavior. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 304 commuter ferry passengers departing Martha's Vineyard Island, Massachusetts, in August 1992, to ascertain the prevalence of tick-avoidance behaviors among individuals from an endemic area of Lyme disease and to identify the knowledge, behavioral, and demographic variables that best determine precautionary behavior. RESULTS: Overall, survey respondents (n = 304) had very good knowledge of Lyme disease (73% items correct on a knowledge test), but only 59% of respondents reported limiting time in tick areas, 58% usually wore protective clothing, 40% wore tick repellent, and 66% usually performed tick checks. By stepwise linear regression analysis, determinants of tick-avoidance behaviors included perceiving the behavior's benefits as outweighing its inconvenience (P < .0001), having confidence in recognizing Lyme disease symptoms (P < .0004), believing that Lyme disease is a serious illness (P < .0009), and believing that the avoidance behavior is effective in reducing the risk of Lyme disease (P < .01). Younger respondents (P < .05) performed fewer avoidance behaviors. Visitors (P < .0001) performed fewer tick checks than residents. Having confidence that one could find a tick on oneself with a tick check also predicted performance (P < .008). Increased general knowledge about Lyme disease did not predict any protective behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: Precautionary behaviors were underperformed in an at-risk population despite good knowledge of Lyme disease symptoms and transmission. Instead, performance was related to confidence in finding a tick on oneself and a perception that a precaution's benefit outweighed its inconvenience and would adequately reduce risk for Lyme disease. These data have implications for Lyme disease prevention programs, which typically focus on enhancing general knowledge as a means toward disease reduction.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Knowledge and practice of dust mite control by specialty care.

BACKGROUND: Dust mites are the primary indoor allergen risk for increasing asthma attacks and morbidity. Adherence to allergen avoidance recommendations decreases bronchial reactivity and asthma morbidity. OBJECTIVE: This study compared the knowledge and practice of environmental control advice of families of children with asthma seen by an allergist or a pediatrician. Studies suggest that knowledge and practice of environmental control recommendations is inconsistent. METHODS: Subjects were aged 6 to 17 years, diagnosed with asthma, and had positive skin test to dust mites. There were 114 eligible pediatric patients, and 69 had also seen an allergist before the study. An in-home evaluation was completed during which parents were asked about environmental control knowledge and practice. An environmental technician then completed a walk-through evaluation to observe which recommendations were implemented in the home. RESULTS: Families who saw an allergist demonstrated significantly greater awareness of environmental control recommendations for dust mite allergens than those who had not. Knowledge and placement of allergen-proof mattress and pillow covers was significantly higher in these families. However, 30% of families who saw an allergist reported no knowledge of any environmental control recommendations for dust mites. Less than half of the allergist families (48%) who were advised to use mattress encasements actually had encasements on their children's beds. CONCLUSIONS: The parents of dust mite-sensitive, asthmatic children who saw an allergist were more aware of dust mite allergen control recommendations and made more indoor environmental changes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Eradication of Boophilus microplus (Acari: Ixodidae) in Puerto Rico.

The ongoing cooperative effort between the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture to eradicate the southern cattle tick, Boophilus microplus (Canestrini), is reviewed. Epidemiological and biological aspects of the tick that influence efficient control and/or eradication in Puerto Rico are discussed. The differences between the current eradication methodology and that initially utilized by the program are emphasized. The status and possible future adaptations of the program, as well as its applicability to other areas in the Caribbean, are also addressed.

Animals↗