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At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Susceptibility to different tick genera in Gambian N'Dama and Gobra zebu cattle exposed to naturally occurring tick infestations.

Tick collection on one side of the body and whole tail was performed weekly over one year on 11 Gambian N'Dama (Bos taurus) and 11 Gobra zebu (Bos indicus) cattle to assess breed susceptibility to naturally occurring ticks. Enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay was also performed to assess the serological prevalence of Anaplasma marginale antigen and Babesia bigemina antibody. Packed red cell volume was measured and liveweight gain was recorded. Significantly higher numbers of Amblyomma variegatum (P < 0.002) and Hyalomma spp. (P < 0.001) were found on Gobra zebu than on N'Dama cattle. The serological prevalence of A. marginale antigen was significantly (P < 0.001) lower in N'Dama breed, whilst no difference in the serological prevalence of B. bigemina antibody was found between N'Dama and Gobra cattle. Packed red cell volume was negatively affected by A. marginale infection in both breeds, but to a lesser extent in N'Dama cattle. Liveweight gain was significantly (P < 0.003) higher in N'Dama in comparison with Gobra cattle during the period of abundance of A. variegatum and Hyalomma spp. adults. The significantly lower burdens of A. variegatum and Hyalomma spp. ticks in Gambian N'Dama in comparison with Gobra zebu cattle confirms previous findings. It also shows a more deleterious effect of ticks and tick-borne diseases on animal production and health in Gobra zebu than in N'Dama cattle. The presence of a tick resistant trait in N'Dama cattle is suggested.

Anaplasmosis↗
PubMed1999

Interaction between ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) and pathogenic nematodes (Nematoda): susceptibility of tick species at various developmental stages.

The virulence of entomopathogenic nematodes (Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae) to tick species under laboratory conditions is reported. The susceptibility of larval, nymphal, and adult stages of the ticks Hyalomma excavatum (Koch), Rhipicephalus bursa (Canestrini & Fanz), and R. sanguineus (Latereille) to 2 strains of Steinernema carpocapsae and 3 strains of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora were compared in laboratory assays. Preimaginal stages of ticks were found to be more resistant to the nematodes than were adult ticks which exhibited 80-100% mortality in a dish containing 5,000 infective juveniles of H. bacteriophora IS-3 or IS-5 strains isolated in Israel. These 2 strains were found to be much more virulent to unfed adult ticks than were the other isolates. No marked difference was found between engorged ticks and unfed adults of R. sanguineus or H. excavatum in terms of mortality, whereas engorged males and unfed females of R. bursa were significantly more susceptible than unfed males or engorged females.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Viral interference in the tick, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus. II. Absence of interference with Thogoto virus when the tick gut is by-passed by parenteral inoculation.

Genetic reassortment of Thogoto (THO) virus has been demonstrated in dually infected Rhipicephalus appendiculatus ticks. However previous results showed that oral superinfection is inhibited by interference. To ascertain the site of THO viral interference, ticks were infected parenterally or orally with a temperature-sensitive (ts) mutant of THO virus. Infected ticks were then challenged with wild-type (wt) THO virus via parenteral inoculation. Intra-stadial superinfection was carried out by parenteral inoculation of newly infected engorged ticks whereas inter-stadial superinfection involved inoculation of engorged ticks infected at the previous stage. In both instances viral interference was not observed, i.e. the challenge virus replicated and was delivered by bite to susceptible hosts. Therefore when the gut is bypassed, R. appendiculatus ticks are apparently permissive to dual infection even when there is a delay in the presentation of the superinfecting virus. These results demonstrate that interference following superinfection per os does not occur in the salivary glands, but may occur in the gut and possibly in a secondary site of viral replication such as the synganglion.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Diversity of the population of Tick-borne encephalitis virus infecting Ixodes ricinus ticks in an endemic area of central Switzerland (Canton Bern).

Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), a member of the genus Flavivirus, has a positive-strand RNA genome containing a single open reading frame flanked by non-coding regions (NCRs). Ixodes ricinus ticks (n = 307) were collected from vegetation in a natural TBEV focus in Belp, Switzerland. The presence and identity of the virus were determined by nested RT-PCR followed by sequencing of the 5'-terminal region that comprises the 5' NCR and the capsid-encoding region (C). The presence of the western European TBEV subtype (W-TBEV) genome was detected in 14.3 % of the ticks. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed a high variability of 55.5 %. In particular, four DNA fragments (CS 'A', CS 'B', the folding-stem structure and the start codon) showed substantial heterogeneity, which has the potential of compromising replication, translation and packaging of the viral genome. This variability may reflect a viral strategy to select the fittest RNA molecule to produce a viral infection in the different vertebrate hosts that may be encountered by the ticks. It may also indicate a possible ancient introduction of TBEV to the Belp site. In addition, it may contribute to explaining the annual low incidence of tick-borne encephalitis in the natural focus of Belp, despite the high prevalence of TBEV genomes in ticks.

5' Untranslated Regions↗
PubMed1996

Integrated tick and tick-borne disease control trials in crossbred dairy cattle in Malawi.

Crossbred dairy heifers on a farm in an East Coast fever (ECF) endemic area in Malawi were immunised against Theileria parva, Anaplasma spp., Babesia bigemina, Babesia bovis and Cowdria ruminantium. They were treated at infrequent intervals with chlorfenvinphos to limit infestation with adult ticks, without providing complete tick control. In one trial, which tested a threshold dipping regimen, 20 heifers were dipped only once in 6 months to control a flush of Boophilus microplus. Unimmunised controls showed serological evidence of exposure to T. parva and B. bigemina, and one died of ECF, but there were no incidents of tick-borne disease in the immunised group. In a second trial, which tested a strategic dipping regimen, 107 animals were dipped 9 times over a 6 month period. Despite heavy challenge by B. bovis and moderate challenge by B. bigemina and Anaplasma spp. demonstrated serologically, there was only a single clinical case of babesiosis. The observations provide encouragement for the introduction of integrated tick and tick-borne disease control programmes in improved cattle in ECF endemic areas.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed2002

Ticks and tick-borne diseases in Asia with special emphasis on China.

An international conference on the control of ticks and tick-borne diseases sponsored by the European Commission was held in Shanghai between 11 and 15 September 2000. Participants from China, Europe, Australia, India, Iran, Israel, Japan and Thailand attended the meeting. The main objectives were: (1) determining the current situation concerning the epidemiology, economics, diagnosis and integrated control measures of ticks and tick-borne diseases caused by protozoan and rickettsial pathogens; (2) the creation of regional and international research networks and priority settings; (3) the creation of training possibilities for young scientists; (4) the identification of new research directions and priority settings in relation to vaccine development and diagnostics. The papers presented during this meeting focused on parasite characterisation and the description of yet unidentified Theileria and Babesia species pathogenic for large and small ruminants in China. In addition, progress made in immunity and vaccine development against the pathogens mentioned above and their vector ticks was also discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Ticks and tick-borne disease in Guatemalan cattle and horses.

Blood samples and ticks were collected from 48 cattle and 74 horses from seven sites in the Peten region of Guatemala. Data on body condition, mucous membrane capillary refill time and tick infestation levels were recorded for each animal in the study. Horses had significantly higher levels of tick infestation than cattle, as well as poorer body condition scores. Seroprevalence of Babesia spp. was 95.8% for B. bovis in cattle, 89.6% for B. bigemina in cattle, and 92.7% for B. equi in horses. Seroprevalence of Anaplasma marginale in cattle was 87.5%, similar to reports in animals from other regions of Central America. This is the first time that A. phagocytophilum has been reported in animals from this region, with overall PCR-prevalence of 27.6% in cattle and horses, and seroprevalence of 28.4% (52% in cattle and 13% in horses). An agent was identified with serological cross-reactivity and close genetic relatedness to Ehrlichia ruminantium, but further testing confirmed that the agent in Guatemalan cows was not the agent of heartwater. Ticks were identified to species with the predominant species identified on cattle as Boophilus microplus and Amblyomma cajennense, while Anocentor nitens and A. cajennense were most commonly found on horses. Prevalence of infection, tick infestation levels, host factors and environmental data were analyzed for association; A. nitens was significantly associated with A. phagocytophilum prevalence by village.

Anaplasma↗
PubMed1999

Integrated control of ticks and tick-borne diseases.

Integrated control of ticks and tick-borne diseases (ICTTD) is currently promoted by an international project, supported by the European Union, with the aim to increase livestock productivity through the development of improved strategies for tick control, vaccine delivery and integrated diagnostics for tickborne diseases. This paper gives a brief overview of the ICTTD project activities against the background of recent initiatives to assess the impact of ticks and tick-borne diseases in the Mediterranean region.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[A trial at using the systemic action of ivermectin for suppressing the vector capacity of ticks (Ixodidae) infected with the tick-borne encephalitis virus].

Adult Dermacentor marginatus hatched from nymphs infected with TBE virus and poisoned with ivermectin retain their vector abilities. Even small individuals with a 1.5-2 times lesser mass as against the reference mass contain the virus in the body in the same titers and the virions in salivary gland alveoli. Administration of an oil solution of ivermectin into the stomach of white mice, nymph feeders, in a dose surpassing threefold the dose recommended for intramuscular injection of this agent completely suppressed shedding of intact nymphs but did not suppress it in those infected. The nymph mass, size and mass of adult ticks hatched from them dropped under the effect of ivermectin dosage build-up in both intact and infected ticks, but these processes were slower in ticks infected with TBE virus. The authors suggest that the ticks infected with TBE virus are much more resistant to the process of gamma-aminobutyric acid depression, the mechanism of ivermectin action. They emphasize the necessity of bearing in mind the possible differences in the reactions to systemic poisons of intact and infected ticks when organizing vector control measures.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Short report: duration of tick attachment required for transmission of powassan virus by deer ticks.

Infected deer ticks (Ixodes scapularis) were allowed to attach to naive mice for variable lengths of time to determine the duration of tick attachment required for Powassan (POW) virus transmission to occur. Viral load in engorged larvae detaching from viremic mice and in resulting nymphs was also monitored. Ninety percent of larval ticks acquired POW virus from mice that had been intraperitoneally inoculated with 10(5) plaque-forming units (PFU). Engorged larvae contained approximately 10 PFU. Transstadial transmission efficiency was 22%, resulting in approximately 20% infection in nymphs that had fed as larvae on viremic mice. Titer increased approximately 100-fold during molting. Nymphal deer ticks efficiently transmitted POW virus to naive mice after as few as 15 minutes of attachment, suggesting that unlike Borrelia burgdorferi, Babesia microti, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum, no grace period exists between tick attachment and POW virus transmission.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Interference between the viruses of tick-borne encephalitis complex in the Ixodes ricinus ticks.

The interference of two closely related viruses of the tick-borne encephalitis complex (TBE) in Ixodes ricinus ticks has been observed. 42.9 to 65.0% of dually infested ticks developed virus neutralization antibodies in mice without signs of illness, which contrasts with the control ticks infected with 198 strain only. Other explanations of this interference could include alteration of viral receptors on host cells or induction of antiviral activity in the infected ticks and/or other vectors such as mosquitoes.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Dual infection of Ixodes ricinus ticks with two viruses of the tick-borne encephalitis complex.

Ixodes ricinus female ticks were inoculated with Skalica (SK) virus (non-pathogenic for adult albino mice by subcutaneous route) and 14 days later they were challenged with strain 198 of Tick-borne Encephalitis (TBE) virus (highly pathogenic for adult albino mice by subcutaneous route). After additional 14 days of incubation, 42.9 to 65.0% of the adult (10-12 g) albino mice infested with these double infected ticks developed antibodies to TBE without signs of sickness (transmission of SK virus), while paralysis or death was registered in 35.0 to 57.1% of infested mice (transmission of strain 198) depending on the concentration of strain 198 used for inoculation of ticks. However, a low degree of interference to superinfection with strain 198 was observed, when the dissected tick salivary glands were examined by subcutaneous inoculation of adult albino mice (more than 90% of examined salivary glands contained strain 198 virus).

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Demonstration of the tick-borne encephalitis virus in ticks by means of nucleic acid hybridization].

The method of molecular hybridization of nucleic acids (MHNA) is compared to the traditional bioprobe technique in the study of virus carriership of I. persulcatus ticks collected in the South and in the North of the area of coniferous and broad-leaved forests in the Khabarovsk Territory. Higher sensitivity of the MHNA method than that of the bioprobe was demonstrated by studying the tick pools: 4.9% versus 1.6% (1985), 18.2% versus 3.6% (1986). Virus carriership studied by MHNA in isolated ticks comprised 8.6% (1985) and 10.8% (1986) in the south of the region and 20.0% (1985)--in the north; average content of RNA of the tick-borne encephalitis virus comprised 10 pg. MHNA allows massive studies of individual ticks and better indication of the virus to be carried out; the response can be obtained in 24-48 hours.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Identification of tick-borne encephalitis virus ribonucleic acid in tick suspensions and in clinical specimens by a reverse transcription-nested polymerase chain reaction assay.

BACKGROUND: Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is a major human pathogenic flavivirus. Sensitive assays for the detection of viral RNA may be valuable both for the identification of virus in ticks as well as for diagnostic purposes. OBJECTIVES: (1) The development of a sensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test system for the detection of TBEV-RNA and its application to the identification of infected ticks; and (2) evaluation of the PCR assay for diagnostic purposes, i.e., detection of TBE virus RNA in blood and in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of TBE patients. STUDY DESIGN: (1) Establishment of a TBEV-specific reverse transcription (RT)-nested PCR assay and evaluation of its sensitivity; (2) comparison of the PCR assay with that of virus isolation from tick suspensions; and (3) investigation of 105; serum and CSF samples from patients with serologically confirmed TBE by RT-nested PCR. RESULTS: An RT-nested PCR assay was established with a detection limit of 100-1000 copies of TBEV RNA. All tick suspensions from which the virus could be isolated by inoculation of suckling mice also screened positive in the PCR assay. Of the 105 clinical samples investigated, only one serum and one CSF sample were positive by PCR assay, and these were both obtained very early in the course of the disease. CONCLUSIONS: The PCR assay described is valuable for the detection of TBEV in tick suspensions and can substitute for the usual virus isolation procedure in which suckling mice are inoculated. Its application for diagnostic purposes, however, does not seem to provide a significant improvement over serological diagnosis. Only in very rare cases, when a sample is drawn extremely early in the course of disease, may TBEV RNA be detected in serum or CSF before the appearance of specific IgM antibodies and thus allow an earlier diagnosis.

Journal Article↗