Analysis of Bm86 conserved epitopes: is a global vaccine against Cattle Tick Rhipicephalus microplus possible?

Abstract The cattle tick Rhipicephalus microplus causes significant economic losses in agribusiness. Control of this tick is achieved mainly through the application of chemical acaricides, often resulting in contamination of animal food products and of the environment. Another major concern associated with acaricide use is the increasing reports of resistance of this tick vector against the active ingredients of many commercial products. An alternative control method is vaccination. However, the commercially available vaccine based on a protein homologous to Bm86 exhibits variations in efficacy relative to the different geographical locations. This study aimed to identify antigenic determinants of the sequences of proteins homologous to Bm86. Phylogenetic analyses were performed to determine the extent of divergence between different populations of R. microplus to identify the sequence that could be used as a universal vaccine against the multiple geographically distinct populations of R. microplus and related tick species. Considering the extensive sequence and functional polymorphism observed among strains of R. microplus from different geographical regions, we can conclude that it may be possible to achieve effective vaccination against these cattle ticks using a single universal Bm86-based antigen.

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Evaluation of the Immune Response of a Candidate Phage-Based Vaccine against Rhipicephalus microplus (Cattle Tick)

Pharmaceutics ◽

10.3390/pharmaceutics13122018 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (12) ◽

pp. 2018

Author(s):

Alejandro González-Mora ◽

Kenny Misael Calvillo-Rodríguez ◽

Jesús Hernández-Pérez ◽

Marco Rito-Palomares ◽

Ana Carolina Martínez-Torres ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Control Method ◽

Ex Vivo ◽

Rhipicephalus Microplus ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Cattle Tick ◽

Severe Problem ◽

Promising Alternative ◽

In Vivo Assay ◽

Cattle Ticks

Cattle tick (Rhipicephalus microplus) represents a severe problem causing substantial economic losses, estimated in billions of dollars annually. Currently, chemical acaricides represent the most widely used control method. However, several problems such as resistance have been described. Phage-based vaccines represent a fast and low-cost tool for antigen delivery. In this regard, the objective of the present work was to develop a candidate phage-based vaccine displaying a cattle tick antigen (Bm86-derived Sbm7462 antigen) on the surface of bacteriophage M13. Phage ELISA and dot blotting analysis confirmed the display of the antigen. Vaccine immunogenicity was evaluated using a bovine monocyte-derived dendritic cell-based ex vivo assay and a murine in vivo assay. The ex vivo model showed the maturation of dendritic cells after being pulsed with the phage-based vaccine. The humoral response was confirmed in the in vivo assay. These results demonstrated the capacity of the phage-based vaccine to induce both humoral and cellular immune-specific responses. Importantly, this is the first report describing a control method for cattle ticks using a candidate phage-based vaccine. Further studies to evaluate the immunogenicity in a bovine model are needed. The current approach represents a promising alternative to control cattle tick infestations.

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In vitro activity of the hydroalcoholic extract of Chenopodium ambrosioides against engorged females of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus

Arquivos do Instituto Biológico ◽

10.1590/1808-1657000222016 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 84 (0) ◽

Author(s):

Eduardo Oliveira ◽

Manoela da Silva ◽

Lew Sprenger ◽

Daniela Pedrassani

Keyword(s):

High Efficiency ◽

Boophilus Microplus ◽

Vitro Activity ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Cattle Tick ◽

Distilled Water ◽

In Vitro Activity ◽

Chenopodium Ambrosioides ◽

Cattle Ticks

ABSTRACT: Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, known as the cattle tick, is a cause of great economic losses for dairy cattle farming because of its high frequency of occurrence and the difficulty in controlling it. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro activity of Chenopodium ambrosioides extract on R. (B.) microplus. For this purpose, 125 females were selected and classified into five groups according to their weight, in order to ensure that the females used presented homogeneous weight. The treatments comprised 40 and 60% extracts of Chenopodium ambrosioides, distilled water, ethanol (70ºGL) and 12.5% amitraz. The extracts of C. ambrosioides (40 and 60%) showed effectiveness of 99.7 and 100% and higher percentages of dead females than the other treatments: 64 and 96%, respectively (p<0.001). In the groups exposed to distilled water and ethanol (70º GL), 92 and 88% of the females maintained oviposition. In the females exposed to 40 and 60% extracts, oviposition of 36 and 4% occurred, respectively. It was concluded that the extract of Chenopodium ambrosioides, at both concentration evaluated, had high efficiency against engorged females of cattle ticks.

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Acaricidal activity of leaves of Morus nigra against the cattle tick Rhipicephalus microplus

Arquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia ◽

10.1590/1678-4162-8994 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 69 (3) ◽

pp. 523-528 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

A.C.S. Dantas ◽

D.P. Freire ◽

G.R. Souza ◽

J.R.G.S. Almeida ◽

L.A. Rolim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Phenolic Compounds ◽

Ethanolic Extract ◽

Adult Tick ◽

Immersion Test ◽

Rhipicephalus Microplus ◽

Acaricidal Activity ◽

Cattle Tick ◽

Chloroform Fraction ◽

Morus Nigra ◽

Cattle Ticks

ABSTRACT The acaricidal activity of crude ethanolic extract and fractions from the leaves of Morus nigra (Moraceae) was carried out on female cattle ticks Rhipicephalus microplus, using the adult immersion test. The mortality and fertility of females exposed to different concentrations of hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions, as well as ethanolic extract of M. nigra with concentrations of 5, 10 and 25mg/ml were evaluated using three treatment groups, two control groups and triplicate tests. The study also identified the main phenolic compounds of the extract and fractions of this species by HPLC. The chloroform fraction of leaves of M. nigra (25mg/mL) showed the best results for this species, obtaining 62.6% of inhibition of oviposition, 39.3% of eggs eclosion average and 65.4% of effectiveness. HPLC analysis revealed the presence of phenolic compounds, which may be related to biological activity shown by the extracts, which can be used as an alternative control against R. microplus adult tick.

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Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus: expression and characterization of Bm86-CG in Pichia pastoris

Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária ◽

10.1590/s1984-29612011000200003 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 20 (2) ◽

pp. 103-110 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Rodrigo Casquero Cunha ◽

Renato Andreotti ◽

Fábio Pereira Leivas Leite

Keyword(s):

Pichia Pastoris ◽

Boophilus Microplus ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Cattle Tick ◽

High Antibody ◽

Western Blot Assay ◽

Development Of Resistance ◽

Cattle Ticks ◽

Antibody Titers

The cattle tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus is responsible for great economic losses. It is mainly controlled chemically, with limitations regarding development of resistance to the chemicals. Vaccines may help control this parasite, thereby reducing tick pesticide use. In this light, we performed subcloning of the gene of the protein Bm86-GC, the homologue protein that currently forms the basis of vaccines (GavacTM and TickGardPLUS) that have been developed against cattle ticks. The subcloning was done in the pPIC9 expression vector, for transformation in the yeast Pichia pastoris. This protein was characterized by expression of the recombinant Mut+ strain, which expressed greater quantities of protein. The expressed protein (rBm86-CG) was recognized in the Western-blot assay using anti-Gavac, anti-TickGard, anti-larval extract and anti-rBm86-CG polyclonal sera. The serum produced in cattle vaccinated with the antigen CG rBm86 presented high antibody titers and recognized the native protein. The rBm86-GC has potential relevance as an immunogen for vaccine formulation against cattle ticks.

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Calculation of the efficacy of vaccines against tick infestations on cattle

Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária ◽

10.1590/s1984-29612013000400019 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 22 (4) ◽

pp. 571-578 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Rodrigo Casquero Cunha ◽

Renato Andreotti ◽

Marcos Valério Garcia ◽

André de Abreu Rangel Aguirre ◽

Alexandre Leitão

Keyword(s):

Control Method ◽

The Other ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Tick Population ◽

Scientific Publications ◽

Cattle Ticks ◽

Resistant Strains ◽

Main Factors ◽

Method Of Assessment ◽

Vaccine Effect

Cattle ticks are responsible for great economic losses in cattle farming worldwide, and their main control method, chemicals, has been showing problems, whether resulting from the development of resistant strains of ticks or environmental contamination. Research studies directed toward developing vaccines against ticks are emerging. One way to evaluate those vaccines is to calculate the percentage of efficacy. The aim of this study was to analyze scientific publications archived in PubMed that used this method of assessment and discuss the main factors that may affect its calculation. Thus, 25 articles addressing this subject were selected. The percentage of efficacy was usually calculated in one of two ways, with one considering the reduced fertility of eggs and the other not. The latter method may underestimate the vaccine efficacy, and the most complete formula for calculating the efficacy reflects how much the vaccine actually affects the infestation. In our view, the use of the complete formula for calculating the percentage of efficacy is broader and more representative of the vaccine effect on the tick population.

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In vitro evaluation of the acaricidal activity of propolis against cattle ticks

Research Society and Development ◽

10.33448/rsd-v10i7.16203 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (7) ◽

pp. e10510716203

Author(s):

Alyne Madja dos Santos Silva ◽

Édimo Fernando Alves Moreira ◽

Ana Paula Espindula ◽

Lorena Ferreira Benfica ◽

Rosemar Alves de Carvalho Júnior ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Economic Losses ◽

Cattle Tick ◽

Propolis Extract ◽

Extract Concentration ◽

Cattle Ticks ◽

Homogeneous Weight ◽

Randomized Experimental Design ◽

Hatching Percentage ◽

Vitro Effect

Propolis is a natural substance that is produced by bees and has been used since ancient times for its pharmacological properties. The cattle tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplusis responsible for great economic losses by cattle breeding programs. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the in vitro effect of propolis extracts on engorged female ticks. The experiment was performed at the Uberaba IFTM. A completely randomized experimental design was used, including eight treatments and five replicates, with a total 40 experimental units, each consisting of 10 engorged females of homogeneous weight. The experimental units were immersed in alcoholic propolis extracts that were diluted with distilled water to the following concentrations: 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, and 70%. A regression analysis was used to analyze the relationship between propolis extract concentration and weight of eggs laid (WEL), hatching percentage (HP), and reproductive efficiency (RE). This demonstrates the viability of propolis as an alternative for the control of cattle ticks, with the 70% extract concentration being most efficientand most effective for controlling R. microplus under laboratory conditions.

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Vaccination with Recombinant Subolesin Antigens Provides Cross-Tick Species Protection in Bos indicus and Crossbred Cattle in Uganda

Vaccines ◽

10.3390/vaccines8020319 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 319 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Paul D. Kasaija ◽

Marinela Contreras ◽

Fredrick Kabi ◽

Swidiq Mugerwa ◽

José de la de la Fuente

Keyword(s):

Tick Species ◽

Animal Health ◽

Bos Indicus ◽

Vaccine Design ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Cattle Tick ◽

Health Production ◽

Crossbred Cattle ◽

Cattle Industry ◽

Cattle Ticks

Cattle tick infestations and transmitted pathogens affect animal health, production and welfare with an impact on cattle industry in tropical and subtropical countries. Anti-tick vaccines constitute an effective and sustainable alternative to the traditional methods for the control of tick infestations. Subolesin (SUB)-based vaccines have shown efficacy for the control of multiple tick species, but several factors affect the development of new and more effective vaccines for the control of tick infestations. To address this challenge, herein we used a regional and host/tick species driven approach for vaccine design and implementation. The objective of the study was to develop SUB-based vaccines for the control of the most important tick species (Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, R. decoloratus and Amblyomma variegatum) affecting production of common cattle breeds (Bos indicus and B. indicus x B. taurus crossbred) in Uganda. In this way, we addressed the development of anti-tick vaccines as an intervention to prevent the economic losses caused by ticks and tick-borne diseases in the cattle industry in Uganda. The results showed the possibility of using SUB antigens for the control of multiple tick species in B. indicus and crossbred cattle and suggested the use of R. appendiculatus SUB to continue research on vaccine design and formulation for the control of cattle ticks in Uganda. Future directions would include quantum vaccinology approaches based on the characterization of the SUB protective epitopes, modeling of the vaccine E under Ugandan ecological and epidemiological conditions and optimization of vaccine formulation including the possibility of oral administration.

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Distribution of the cattle ticks from mid hills to plains of Nepal

Journal of Agriculture and Natural Resources ◽

10.3126/janr.v1i1.22235 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 197-205

Author(s):

Bigya Dhital ◽

Sulav Shrestha ◽

Krishna Kaphle ◽

Rameshwor Pudasaini

Keyword(s):

Animal Husbandry ◽

Body Part ◽

Vascular Supply ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Tick Population ◽

Body Parts ◽

Cattle Ticks ◽

Geographical Regions ◽

Thin Skin ◽

Study Sites

Ticks cause serious economic losses in livestock production worldwide. A study was conducted in 2017/18 to determine the abundance of tick population on different geographical regions and body parts of cattle. Three study sites were taken from mid hill, inner terai and terai region of Nepal. A total of 45 dairy cattle (15 from each region) were included randomly for the study. Regarding the distribution of ticks in cattle body part, higher number of ticks were recorded on dewlap (38.61%) followed by perineum and udder (25.10%), ear base (15.06%), tail base (9.07%), abdomen (7.34%) and withers (4.83%). Similarly, highest numbers of ticks were recorded in Chitwan (19.46 ticks on an average) cattle followed by Dang (9.13 ticks on an average) and least in Lamjung (5.73 ticks on an average) cattle. This result indicates that higher tick infestation was found in warm, moist, hidden sites with good vascular supply and thin skin in cattle body. Similarly, more tick were recorded in cattle keeping with poor animal husbandry practices.

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Phylogenetic Analysis of South African Bovine Leukaemia Virus (BLV) Isolates

Viruses ◽

10.3390/v12080898 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (8) ◽

pp. 898

Author(s):

Akiko Suzuki ◽

Rosamund Chapman ◽

Nicola Douglass ◽

Olivia Carulei ◽

Johan van Rensburg ◽

...

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Amino Acid ◽

South African ◽

Phylogenetic Analyses ◽

Full Length ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Bovine Leukaemia Virus ◽

Leukaemia Virus ◽

South African Isolate ◽

Geographical Regions

Bovine leukaemia virus (BLV) causes chronic lymphoproliferative disorder and fatal lymphosarcoma in cattle, leading to significant economic losses in the beef and dairy industries. BLV is endemic globally and eleven genotypes have been identified. To date, only Zambian isolates have been genotyped from Africa. Although high BLV prevalence has been reported in South Africa, there has been no molecular characterisation of South African BLV isolates. To characterise BLV isolates in South Africa for the first time, we investigated the phylogenetic relationships and compared the genetic variability of eight South African BLV isolates with BLV isolates representing the eleven known genotypes from different geographical regions worldwide. Phylogenetic analyses based on full-length and partial env sequences as well as full-length gag sequences revealed that at least two genotypes, genotypes 1 (G1) and 4 (G4), are present in cattle in South Africa, which is consistent with studies from Zambia. However, our analysis revealed that the G1 South African isolate is more similar to other G1 isolates than the G1 Zambian isolates whereas, the G4 South African isolates are more divergent from other G4 isolates but closely related to the G4 Zambian isolate. Lastly, amino acid sequence alignment identified genotype-specific as well as novel amino acid substitutions in the South African isolates. The detection of two genotypes (G1 and G4) in southern Africa highlights the urgent need for disease management and the development of an efficacious vaccine against local strains.

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Factors associated with the efficiency of acaricides on different populations of Rhipicephalus microplus

Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Research and Animal Science ◽

10.11606/issn.1678-4456.bjvras.2019.157595 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 56 (3) ◽

pp. e157595

Author(s):

Michel Menin ◽

Carolain Xavier ◽

Mauricio Francisco Grigolo ◽

Kaio Fernando Molosse ◽

Michele Helena Weirich ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ixodid Tick ◽

Tick Control ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Cattle Tick ◽

Sample Collection ◽

Contributing Factors ◽

Santa Catarina ◽

History Of ◽

Different Populations ◽

Control And Management

Tick infestation causes major problems in cattle. Tick parasitism accounts for significant economic losses in many beef and dairy herds in the vast majority of the states in the Brazilian territory including the State of Santa Catarina in the southern region of the country. Tick resistance to several active principles occurs due to a number of factors including the indiscriminate, injudicious and inadequate use of tick insecticides. Considering the great importance of fighting off tick infestations in cattle, we evaluated the efficiency of 8 different topical active principles against the ixodid tick R. microplus and identified the main factors that contribute to the development of ticks that are resistant to acaricides in the farms and bovine herds studied. For such purpose, R. microplus telegionae were collected in 39 farms locates in different municipalities of the West of Santa Catarina, south Brazil. At the time of sample collection, information about the management, the history of the acar used in the herd, the number of annual applications of these pesticides, the frequency of acaricide rotation, and the frequency of technical monitoring for strategic tick control were retrieved. We collected this data in order determine contributing factors to the development resistant R. microplus populations. For the sensitivity profile of these ticks to a number of different acaricides tested, 10 engorged females for each principle and a control were used. The results of our study show that most associations between pyrethroids and organophosphates had an efficiency between 96.6% and 100% in the control of R. microplus except for the combination of Alfacipermetrine 15%, Ethion 16%, and Chlorpyrifos 8.5% that had 93.4% of efficiency. Among the chemicals not associated with any other type of compound, Amitraz 12.5% was effective in 98.3% of the cases. In contrast, Cypermethrin 15% had an efficiency in only 25.8% of the farms/herds analyzed. Based on the results of the present study, we may infer that the methods of control and management used by producers may be related to the low indexes of resistance to topical acaricides in the different populations of ticks in the study area.

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