Tick Research Articles

Prevalence and molecular characterization of ticks infesting dogs in Agartala, Tripura

Due to its ability to spread disease from one host to another, tick infestation is the most frequent issue pet owners’ deal with and should be taken seriously. The goal of the current study was to ascertain the prevalence of tick infestation in dogs in Agartala as well as its molecular identity and characterisation. A total of 1776 dogs of various breeds, ages, sexes, and categories were included in the study, which was conducted from March 2022 to February 2023 over the course of a calendar year. The total prevalence of ticks was reported to be 62.12%. According to study on breed, sex, age, and category, German spitz, male dogs, dogs under 1 year of age and stray dogs had the highest frequency of tick infestation. All throughout the year, tick infestations were seen, with the monsoon season seeing the highest frequency. Based on 16S rRNA gene amplification and sequence analysis, molecular identification revealed that all isolated ticks were members of the Rhipicephalus sanguineus species. Using a subset of the 16S rRNA gene, phylogenetic analysis revealed that R. sanguineus (OR244468.1) from Agartala (TrRS-PB) was part of the same clade as isolates from Kerala and Assam.

Surveillance of ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) and tick-borne pathogens in Eastern Central Alabama.

Similar to other states in the southeastern United States, human cases of tick-borne diseases in Alabama have risen steadily over the last 2 decades. Nevertheless, limited data have been published on ticks or tick-borne pathogen (TBP) distributions since the 1990s. To better understand the risk of tick and TBP exposure in eastern central Alabama, ticks were sampled repeatedly across 8 sites associated with recreational use during May and June of 2015 to characterize tick density and diversity. Although habitats were similar across sites, tick density varied among locations. Seven species were collected, but 97.7% of 1,310 samples were the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum (L.), the primary vector of ehrlichial agents and the tick species most commonly linked to alpha-gal syndrome and southern tick-associated rash illness. To investigate pathogen prevalence among sites, we tested A. americanum by a multiplex qPCR assay for 5 bacterial species, including 3 Ehrlichia spp. and 2 Rickettsia spp. None of the specimens tested positive for Panola Mountain Ehrlichia or Rickettsia parkeri. However, causative agents of human ehrlichiosis, Ehrlichia chaffeensis and Ehrlichia ewingii, occurred at half of the locations with, respectively, 0.27% and 0.45% of A. americanum infected on average. In contrast, Rickettsia amblyommatis, a tick endosymbiont suspected to be nonpathogenic, was found in 54.5% of the 1119 A. americanum tested. Despite low infection rates of Ehrlichia spp. in A. americanum, high encounter rates with this species in recreational deciduous woodlands suggest a moderate risk of tick bite and a low-to-moderate risk of TBP exposure in late spring.

Ticks infesting terrestrial small mammals in a rural settlement in the Amazonas state, Brazil.

There is limited knowledge about tick diversity in the Amazon region. Here, we survey small terrestrial mammals for tick infestation at the Rio Pardo settlement, Amazonas State, Brazil. Sampling included rainy and dry seasons and four ecotones (primary forest, forest in regeneration, field crops and households). Each animal was inspected for ticks, which, if present, were placed in 70% alcohol and identified. Parasitological indexes were calculated and the presence/absence of ticks on hosts was tested for possible associations with independent variables (ecotone, host sex, host order, host family, host age and season). A total of 208 small mammals were captured, 47 individuals (10 species) in the primary forest, 124 (15 species) in the forest in regeneration, 11 (7 species) in the field crops, and 26 (4 species) in the households. A total of 14 small mammals were infested by ticks (overall prevalence: 6.7%; 95% CI: 3.72 - 11.04%), which consisted of 51 specimens that were identified into four species, as follows: Amblyomma humerale (32 nymphs); Ixodes luciae (6 females); Amblyomma coelebs (1 nymph); and Ornithodoros mimon (1 larva). In addition, 11 larvae were retained as Amblyomma spp. Only host order showed association (P = 0.002) with tick infestation, with marsupials 5.5 times more infested than rodents. Our record of O. mimon on D. marsupialis is the first on this host species, and the first record of a Argasidae tick in the Brazilian state of Amazonas. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that actively screened free-living terrestrial small mammals and provided data on prevalence, mean intensity and mean abundance of tick infestations in the Brazilian Amazonas state.

TaqMan qPCR and IgM Detection in Samples of Patients with Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus Infection in Northeast China.

Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) infections result in severe central nervous system diseases in humans across Asia and Europe. In China, cases of tick-borne encephalitis are primarily caused by the Far East subtype of TBEV, which exhibits a distinct disease course compared to other extensively studied subtypes. However, there is limited knowledge regarding the nucleic acid and serological diagnostic characteristics of patients infected with the TBEV in China, which is the focus of investigation in the present study. This study established a TaqMan qPCR approach to detect TBEV RNA in the serum with optimal specificity, sensitivity, and precision. Using TaqMan qPCR and ELISA assay for TBEV IgM detection, serum samples from 63 hospitalized patients bitten by ticks in Northeast China were investigated for diagnostic characteristics. Twenty-five patients were positive for viral RNA; nineteen patients were positive for IgM, and nine were positive for both viral RNA and IgM. Through comparative analysis, TBEV RNA copies were negatively correlated with the virus incubation period. IgM levels were positively correlated with the clinical symptom scores of patients. The severity of clinical symptoms and the length after the tick bite could be used to predict the IgM occurrence. Furthermore, IgM levels and viral RNA copies were not correlated in double-positive patients. Both nucleic acid and serological detection methods exhibited distinct windows for detecting TBEV infection, with some overlap, and were associated with specific correlated factors. This study provided novel insights into the diagnosis and course of TBEV-induced tick-borne encephalitis in China.

Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Among Slaughterhouse Workers in Sana'a and Dhamar Cities-Yemen: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is a viral infection spread through tick bites or contact with secretions from infected animals or humans, posing a risk to slaughterhouse workers. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of slaughterhouse workers in Yemen towards CCHF. A cross-sectional study conducted on 173 adults working at slaughterhouses in Sana'a and Dhamar cities, Yemen using a multi-stage sampling. The questionnaire used in the study was a reliable survey instrument (with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.71) employed for the purpose of data collection. The questionnaire encompassed three distinct sections: 1)- demographic inquiries pertaining to age, gender, marital status, level of education, and occupation; 2)- knowledge-based inquiries consisting of 27 items;3)- the attitude section consisted of 11 questions. After completing the questionnaire, the data were analyzed by SPSS version 24, using percentages, chi-square test, and Spearman correlation coefficient. The mean age of the participants was 30.6 years with a SD of 11.2 years, with 84.4% male and 15.6% female. Most slaughterhouse workers were butchers (78.6%) and some were shepherds (21.4%). The participants had poor knowledge (86.7%) and attitude (72.3%) towards CCHF. There exists a noteworthy association between the knowledge scores and the gender, education level, and occupation (P=0.035, P=0.039, P=0.001). A significant positive correlation was identified between knowledge and attitude scores (r = 0.715, P<0.001). The majority of respondents had poor knowledge of CCHF. Educational programs are essential for increasing community awareness, with involvement of technical experts crucial for disseminating information on preventing and managing CCHF.

Mouse Models for the Study of Borrelia burgdorferi Infection.

Lyme disease, a tickborne illness caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, is an emerging, significant public health concern. B. burgdorferi infections are challenging to study because of their complex life cycle that requires adaptation to both ticks and mammalian hosts for long-term survival and transmission. Bacterial adaptation is accomplished through extensive gene expression alterations in response to environmental cues that remain to be more fully explored. Mouse models of infection serve as valuable tools for studying B. burgdorferi adaptation to the mammalian host and the spirochete's ability to cause persistent infections and thus to interact with and evade the immune system. This article details three mouse models that differ in their primary methods of infection: infestation with B. burgdorferi infected ticks, intradermal inoculation of culture-grown spirochetes, and infection via subcutaneous transplantation of infected tissue. Each method offers unique advantages and limitations. Tick infestation is the route of natural transmission but presents logistical challenges. Syringe inoculation is easy and provides precise control over the infectious dose, but infection is with culture-adapted bacteria. Transplantation of infected tissue introduces mammalian-host-adapted B. burgdorferi in precise anatomical locations, but misses the transfer of tick factors affecting immunity. Detailed protocols are provided for each of the three infection routes, and pros and cons of each method are outlined to help researchers identify the best approach for a research question to be addressed. A protocol is also provided for the treatment of mice with antibiotics that reliably eliminates detectable spirochetes from the animals. © 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Syringe inoculation of mice with cultured B. burgdorferi and collection of necropsy tissues Basic Protocol 2: Infection of mice with B. burgdorferi via tick infestation Basic Protocol 3: Infection of mice with host-adapted B. burgdorferi via tissue transplant Support Protocol: Clearance of B. burgdorferi by antibiotic treatment.

Laboratory Management of Mammalian Hosts for Ixodes scapularis -Host-Pathogen Interaction Studies.

Due to their hematophagous life cycle, hard-bodied ticks including the genus Ixodes are a potential vector for numerous pathogenic organisms including bacteria, protozoa, viruses, and infectious prions. The natural geographic range of several hard tick species, includig Ixodes scapularis, has expanded over recent decades. Consequently, there is an ongoing need to maintain, feed, and propagate ticks for host-pathogen interaction studies to better understand and mitigate their impact on human and animal health. Artificial membrane feeding of hard ticks has advanced in recent years, has study design advantages, and should be used, when possible, to reduce animal use, but it also has several limitations that require the continued use of mammalian hosts including mice, guinea pigs, and rabbits. In this overview, we discuss the best management practices for these relevant species with respect to biosafety, health, and optimal host comfort when used in studies that depend on tick feeding. The capsule-jacket method is preferred over the ear sock-E-collar method of tick feeding on rabbit hosts because of better host health, comfort, and increased study versatility.

Survey of dog owners' and veterinarians' attitudes regarding the selection of flea and tick prevention products in Thailand.

Tick and flea infestations in dogs are significant concerns for both dog owners and veterinarians in Thailand. The country's climate provides an optimal environment for the proliferation of ticks and fleas, thereby increasing the risk of diseases transmitted by these parasites. At present, a diverse range of tick and flea prevention products is available on the market. This study aimed to investigate the factors influencing the choice of tick and flea prevention products among dog owners and veterinarians in Thailand. Questionnaires were distributed both online and in-person to collect data from dog owners and veterinarians. The data collection period spanned from September 1, 2022, to August 31, 2023. A total of 994 respondents, consisting of 828 dog owners and 166 veterinarians, participated in the questionnaire and were included in this study. The data were then subjected to descriptive statistics and Chi-square test. The results indicated that most dog owners consider chewable products to be the most effective form of tick and flea prevention, followed by sprays and spot-on treatments. Statistically significant factors (p < 0.05) affecting the frequency of use of tick and flea prevention products were identified, including dog breed, number of owned dogs, and owners' awareness of tick and flea issues in dogs. Most dog owners tend to use these products when their dogs are infected with ticks or fleas. In addition, owners of a single dog tended to use these products regularly compared to those with multiple dogs. Notably, some dog owners (10.99%) used unregistered products. Among veterinarians, it was observed that dog owners followed the recommendations provided by veterinarians (80.12%). In most cases, veterinarians recommend various tick and flea prevention products (74.10%). The most influential factor affecting product selection is suitability for the individual animal. This study provides insights for veterinarians and relevant stakeholders regarding the factors and attitudes that influence dog owners' selection of tick and flea prevention products. This knowledge can contribute to better planning for ectoparasite prevention. In addition, effective communication from veterinarians can increase owner awareness of the importance of tick and flea prevention, thereby reducing the incidence of diseases transmitted by ticks and fleas.

Seroprevalence of Lyme Disease in Children With Facial Nerve Palsy.

This retrospective chart review examined children with documented Lyme disease serology in New Jersey aged <21 years presenting with facial nerve palsy. The presence of symptoms including tick bite, fever, headache, and arthritis was recorded. Data were categorized based on demographic factors, and multivariate regression was employed. We enrolled 122 children, 54% female (mean age of 11.4 ± 5.1 years); 22.1% had Lyme disease. Fever was a significant predictor of Lyme disease (P = .01), confirmed by multivariate regression (odds ratio [OR] = 16.11, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.04, 366.14), as was male gender (P = .01, OR = 3.68, 95% CI = 1.21, 12.89). This association held especially true in Lyme-endemic regions (prevalence ≥ 0.35). The combination of headache with fever was also significantly predictive (P = .01). We found no significant predictive value in the remaining symptoms. These findings suggest that clinical predictors may be useful in diagnosing Lyme disease and initiating early empiric treatment.

Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of ticks and tick-borne pathogens from cattle in selected villages of Greater Letaba Municipality in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Ticks are blood ectoparasites that feed on domestic, wild animals and humans. They spread a variety of infections such as protozoa, viruses, and bacteria. Moreover, cattle reared by smallholder farmers are susceptible to ticks and tick-borne pathogens. Therefore, accurate identification of ticks and detection of tick-borne pathogens is crucial. The main aim of this study was to identify and characterize ticks and tick-borne pathogens from selected villages in Greater Letaba Municipality, Limpopo Province, using morphological and molecular techniques. A total of 233 ticks were collected from cattle and identified morphologically using appropriate morphological keys. The following tick species were identified: Amblyomma hebraeum, Hyalomma rufipes, Hyalomma truncatum, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi, and Rhipicephalus sanguineus. Rhipicephalus spp. was the most common species accounting to 73.8% of the identified ticks. The genomic DNA was extracted from the whole tick for tick identification and from midguts of the ticks for the detection of tick-borne pathogens, followed by amplification and sequencing. A total of 27 samples were positive for tick-borne pathogens: 23 samples tested positive for Theileria and four samples tested positive for Ehrlichia. Anaplasma and Rickettsial OmpB could not be detected from any of the samples. There was no obvious grouping of ticks and tick-borne pathogens on the bases of their locality. The findings of this study confirm previous reports that indicated that cattle reared by smallholder farmers harbor various ticks and tick-borne pathogens of veterinary, public health, and economic importance. Regular monitoring of tick infestations in villages around the study areas is recommended to avoid disease outbreaks.

Anthropogenic electromagnetic radiation alters the transcription levels of the genes encoding the SIFamide and myoinhibitory peptide and their receptors in Ixodes ricinus synganglion

The research of the influences of man-made electromagnetic fields on tick physiology has been very sparse and long neglected since the pioneer studies published in 1996 and 2000. Once multiple behavioral tests confirmed an attraction and possible perception of electromagnetic fields in ticks, a new interest in this topic erupted in recent years. In this study, qRT-PCR is utilized to determine the changes in the mRNA transcript levels of neuropeptides SIFamide and myoinhibitory peptide (mip and sifa) and their representative receptors (mip-r1 and sifa-r1) in the synganglia of the tick Ixodes ricinus irradiated by 900 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic field. It was determined that 40 V/m intensity has a significant suppressory effect on the transcript levels of all genes after at least 60 minutes of constant exposure in both sexes. Commonly occurring intensity of radiation in urban areas (2 V/m) produced an elevation in mRNA levels after various timespans in every gene. A significant decrease of transcript abundances was detected in females after one hour of exposure to 2 V/m. Results of this study widen the knowledge of EMF-induced alterations in the neurophysiology of I. ricinus, the most commonly distributed hard tick in Europe.

Serological and Molecular Survey of Rickettsial Agents in Wild Boars (Sus scrofa) from Midwestern Brazil.

Wild boars (Sus scrofa L.) are considered among the most harmful invasive species worldwide, causing irreversible ecosystem damage, acting as zoonotic spreaders and reservoirs, threatening human and animal health, and having an important economic impact. Accordingly, the present study has assessed the rickettsial exposure, tick infestation of wild boars, and rickettsial DNA presence in ticks from infested animals from the Cerrado biome in midwestern Brazil. Anti-Rickettsia spp. antibodies were detected in serum samples of wild boars by immunofluorescence assay. Overall, 106/285 (37.2%) wild boar serum samples from 13 to 18 (72.2%) municipalities showed seroreactivity to at least one of the four Rickettsia spp. antigens tested, the largest number of wild boars serologically tested to Rickettsia spp. in this type of study. Among the 106 seroreactive animals, 34 showed possible homologous reactions between R. parkeri, R. amblyommatis, and R. bellii, with endpoint titers between 128 and 512. A sample of 45 ticks collected from four culled wild boars was identified as Amblyomma sculptum, and all tested negative for rickettsial DNA presence. In conclusion, this study has provided a reliable sampling seroprevalence and indicated high exposure of wild boars to rickettsial agents, with a potential interaction with Rickettsia spp. from the spotted fever group within the Cerrado biome from midwestern Brazil.

Diversity of Hard Ticks (Acari, Ixodidae) Infestion in Arabian Camel in Iraq

A total of 1346 hard ticks (863♂ and 483 ♀) infested 104 camels, 60 alive camels with 93.33% infestation rate and 44 carcasses of camels had 79.54% infestation rate The total infestation rate was 87.5 %. The current study results revealed ten species of hard ticks family Ixodidae Koch, 1844 related to genus Hyalomma as following: H. dromedarii Koch, 1844, H. schulzii Morel, 1969, H. turanicum Pomerantsev, 1946, H. excavatum Koch, 1844, H. truncatum Koch, 1844, H. scupense Schulzii, 1919, H. marginatum Koch, 1844, H. anatolicum Koch, 1844, H. rufipes Koch, 1844, H. impeltatum Schulze &amp; Schlottke, 1930 from camel Camelus dromedarius Linnaeus, 1758 collected from 21 regions belonging to six provinces in middle, west and south of Iraq where camels were bred in abundance. According to the current results, camels are considered a new host for three species of genus Hyalomma: H. truncatum, H. marginatum rufipes. These results may be of more importance as being the available data for risk topic about camels infested with hard ticks.

Tick repellent activities of supercritical fluid extract from Chamaecyparis obtusa against Haemaphysalis longicornis

Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) is a rapid, selective, and convenient method for sample preparation prior to the analysis of compounds in a volatile product of plant matrices. In this study, insecticidal activity and repellency were examined in a laboratory study to determine the active constituent of Chamaeparis obtusa and a supercritical fluid extract from Chamaeparis obtusa against hard tick Haemaphysalis longicornis.The repellency of C. obtusa oil was evaluated in comparison with two commercial repellents (Icaridin and DEET) against H. longicornis. Filter-paper diffusion assay revealed that C. obtusa oil (3.2 µg/cm2) had a 100 % repellency and icaridine (3.2 µg/cm2) had a 96.1 % repellency at 120 min. Repellencies of 31 compounds against H. longicornis were compared with the repellency of DEET at 3.2 µg/cm2. Responses varied according to the test compound and exposure time. Repellencies of α-terpinene, terpinene-4-ol, and α-terpineol were 100 % at 30 min post-treatment. They were 85.5 %, 56.4 %, and 68.9 %, respectively, at 120 min. C. obtusa oil, α-terpinene, terpinene-4-ol, and α-terpineol merit further study as potential fumigants or lead compounds for the control of H. longicornis.

Molecular and serological investigation of Francisella tularensis among wild animals in Yamaguchi prefecture.

Francisella tularensis is an intracellular gram-negative bacterium known as the causative agent of tularemia, which can be transmitted to humans by direct contact with wild animals or by tick bites. Although F. tularensis is highly pathogenic, its recent prevalence in Japan is underreported due to the small number of reported cases. To clarify the current situation of F. tularensis in wild animals, we conducted surveillance on various species of wild animals in Yamaguchi prefecture. In this study, we screened 809 samples collected from 90 Japanese black bears, 105 Japanese monkeys, 168 sika deer, 205 wild boars, and 84 bats. For seroprevalence analysis, we tested 177 serum samples from 75 black bears and 102 monkeys using the microagglutination test. The results showed that serums from five black bears exhibited slight agglutination. Western blot was performed as a confirmatory test on these five samples, but no positive signals were detected. Additionally, molecular surveillance was conducted using DNA extracted from 464 whole blood and 168 tissues, targeting the gene encoding 23 KDa hypothetical protein by real-time PCR and outer membrane protein A gene by conventional PCR. No positive samples of F. tularensis were detected by either real-time or conventional PCR. Although we did not detect any F. tularensis-positive samples through serological and molecular analyses, continuous surveillance studies are necessary since sporadic human cases have been reported in Japan.

A morpho-phylogenetic update on ixodid ticks infesting cattle and buffalos in Vietnam, with three new species to the fauna and a checklist of all species indigenous to the country

BackgroundSoutheast Asia is regarded as a hotspot for the diversity of ixodid ticks. In this geographical region, Vietnam extends through both temperate and tropical climate zones and therefore has a broad range of tick habitats. However, molecular-phylogenetic studies on ixodid tick species have not been reported from this country.MethodsIn this study, 1788 ixodid ticks were collected from cattle, buffalos and a dog at 10 locations in three provinces of northern Vietnam. Tick species were identified morphologically, and representative specimens were molecularly analyzed based on the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox1) and 16S rRNA genes. Fifty-nine tick species that are indigenous in Vietnam were also reviewed in the context of their typical hosts in the region.ResultsMost ticks removed from cattle and buffalos were identified as Rhipicephalus microplus, including all developmental stages. Larvae and nymphs were found between January and July but adults until December. Further species identified from cattle were Rhipicephalus linnaei, Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides, Amblyomma integrum and Haemaphysalis cornigera. Interestingly, the latter three species were represented only by adults, collected in one province: Son La. The dog was infested with nymphs and adults of R. linnaei in July. Phylogenetically, R. microplus from Vietnam belonged to clade A of this species, and R. haemaphysaloides clustered separately from ticks identified under this name in China, Taiwan and Pakistan. Amblyomma integrum from Vietnam belonged to the phylogenetic group of haplotypes of an Amblyomma sp. reported from Myanmar. The separate clustering of H. cornigera from Haemaphysalis shimoga received moderate support.ConclusionsThree tick species (R. linnaei, A. integrum and H. cornigera) are reported here for the first time in Vietnam, thus increasing the number of indigenous tick species to 62. Clade A of R. microplus and at least R. linnaei from the group of Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato occur in the country. There is multiple phylogenetic evidence that different species might exist among the ticks that are reported under the name R. haemaphysaloides in South and East Asia. This is the first report of A. integrum in Southeastern Asia.Graphical

Epidemiology of Canine Ehrlichiosis in Jabalpur Region of Madhya Pradesh, India

Numerous plant and animal species that are either directly or indirectly linked to tick-borne haemo-protozoan infections thrive in the tropical and subtropical climates of the Indian subcontinents. The climate in India is home to the brown dog tick or Rhipicephalus sanguineus, which is a carrier of the canine disease Ehrlichia. The main purpose of the study is to explore the prevalence and their risk factors associated with Canine Ehrlichiosis. For this 422 canines suspected for positive ehrlichiosis was examined through Giemsa stained thin blood smear and out of them 25 canine samples were found positive showed incidence rate of 5.92%. Prevalence of ehrlichiosis was more in summer season when compare in to winter and monsoon which might be due to high activity of tick vectors. Younger and male dogs showed higher prevalence in comparison to older and female canines. The clinical signs were tick infestation (96%), lymphadenopathy (80%), anorexia (76%), pyrexia (72%), anaemia (56%) and pale conjunctival mucous membrane (56%) along with epistaxis, lameness and ocular problem. This study identifies the present scenario and associated risk factors of the disease, which may help to reduce the infection of canine ehrlichiosis.

Willingness and capacity of publicly-funded vector control programs in the USA to engage in tick management

BackgroundThe vast majority of vector-borne diseases in the USA are associated with mosquitoes or ticks. Mosquito control is often conducted as part of community programs run by publicly-funded entities. By contrast, tick control focuses primarily on individual residential properties and is implemented predominantly by homeowners and the private pest control firms they contract. We surveyed publicly-funded vector control programs (VCPs), presumed to focus mainly on mosquitoes, to determine what tick-related services they currently offer, and their interest in and capacity to expand existing services or provide new ones.MethodsWe distributed a survey to VCPs in the Northeast, Upper Midwest and Pacific Coast states of the USA, where humans are at risk for bites by tick vectors (Ixodes scapularis or Ixodes pacificus) of agents causing Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases. The data we report are based on responses from 118 VCPs engaged in vector control and with at least some activities focused on ticks.ResultsDespite our survey targeting geographic regions where ticks and tick-borne diseases are persistent and increasing public health concerns, only 11% (12/114) of VCPs reported they took direct action to suppress ticks questing in the environment. The most common tick-related activities conducted by the VCPs were tick bite prevention education for the public (70%; 75/107 VCPs) and tick surveillance (48%; 56/116). When asked which services they would most likely include as part of a comprehensive tick management program, tick bite prevention education (90%; 96/107), tick surveillance (89%; 95/107) and tick suppression guidance for the public (74%; 79/107) were the most common services selected. Most VCPs were also willing to consider engaging in activities to suppress ticks on public lands (68%; 73/107), but few were willing to consider suppressing ticks on privately owned land such as residential properties (15%; 16/107). Across all potential tick-related services, funding was reported as the biggest obstacle to program expansion or development, followed by personnel.ConclusionsConsidering the hesitancy of VCPs to provide tick suppression services on private properties and the high risk for tick bites in peridomestic settings, suppression of ticks on residential properties by private pest control operators will likely play an important role in the tick suppression landscape in the USA for the foreseeable future. Nevertheless, VCPs can assist in this effort by providing locally relevant guidelines to homeowners and private pest control firms regarding best practices for residential tick suppression efforts and associated efficacy evaluations. Publicly-funded VCPs are also well positioned to educate the public on personal tick bite prevention measures and to collect tick surveillance data that provide information on the risk of human encounters with ticks within their jurisdictions.Graphical

Assessing perceptions of flea and tick infestation risk in Southeast Queensland, Australia

Social cognitive models are useful for improving our understanding of the relationship between people's health beliefs and disease risks and have been widely employed in human medicine. In veterinary science, there is little research about owners' perceptions of pet health and parasitic infections/infestations, despite the risk of transmission of zoonotic pathogens by ectoparasites. This study investigated the effects of demographic factors on pet owner's perception of ectoparasite infestation risk and behaviours related to animal health in southeast Queensland, Australia employing the Health Belief Model (HBM). A total of 241 dog owners were surveyed in 2018. The electronic survey was generated through SurveyMonkey and distributed utilising UQ SVS and Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) email networks, informative posters and brochures placed in selected veterinary clinics, and in-person visits to dog parks. The relationship between dog owners' perception of flea and tick infestation risk was assessed using an adaptation of the Health Belief Model, social cognitive framework for health protection. Most survey respondents were between 26 and 45 years of age (40%), identified themselves as females (83%) and had a bachelor's degree (43%). Our results indicate that female owners had greater level of health concern related to ectoparasites compared to males. Similarly, owners aged 18 to 25, with a grade 10 to 12 level of attained education and living predominately in a rural setting showed greater level of health concern related to ectoparasite infestations. The results also indicated that cat owners had on average, higher levels of health concern than dog owners. Our study indicates that the perceptions of pet owners towards perception of flea and tick infestation risk varies demographically, and owner education is an important predictor of prevention behaviours towards tick and flea infestation of pets.

Identification of a novel protein Hq023 of the hard tick Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis and preliminary evaluation of its analgesic effect in mice model

Tick saliva contains a range of critical biological molecules which could inhibit host defenses and guarantee their food supply. Hq023, a novel cDNA sequence, was cloned from a cDNA library constructed from salivary glands of partially-engorged Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis. Hq023 has an open reading frame (ORF) of 408 bp coding a protein containing 135 amino acid residues with a molecular mass of 15 kDa. Database homology showed that Hq023 protein was structurally similar to a natural toxin U33-theraphotoxin-Cg1c from the Chinese tarantula Chilobrachys guangxiensis. A recombinant protein was expressed with the novel cDNA in a prokaryotic system and its analgesic effect was evaluated in mice model. Both tail immersion and hot-plate tests uncovered an antinociceptive activity, while in the acetic acid-induced writhing test this effect was not observed. These results indicated that the novel recombinant protein Hq023 (rHq023) probably possessed a central antinociceptive activity. Finding of the novel protein might pave a new avenue for the development of tick-derived analgesics.