Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens in Domestic Animals, Wild Pigs, and Off-Host Environmental Sampling in Guam, USA

Background: Guam, a United States of America (USA) island territory in the Pacific Ocean, is known to have large populations of ticks; however, it is unclear what the risk is to wildlife and humans living on the island. Dog (Canis familiaris), cat (Felis catus), and wild pig (Sus scrofa) sentinels were examined for ticks, and environmental sampling was conducted to determine the ticks present in Guam and the prevalence of tick-borne pathogens in hosts.Methods and Results: From March 2019-November 2020, ticks were collected from environmental sampling, dogs, cats, and wild pigs. Blood samples were also taken from a subset of animals. A total of 99 ticks were collected from 27 environmental samples and all were Rhipicephalus sanguineus, the brown dog tick. Most ticks were collected during the dry season with an overall sampling success rate of 63% (95% CI: 42.4–80.6). 6,614 dogs were examined, and 12.6% (95% CI: 11.8–13.4) were infested with at least one tick. One thousand one hundred twelve cats were examined, and six (0.54%; 95% CI: 0.20–1.1) were found with ticks. Sixty-four wild pigs were examined and 17.2% (95% CI: 9.5–27.8) had ticks. In total, 1,956 ticks were collected and 97.4% of ticks were R. sanguineus. A subset of R. sanguineus were determined to be the tropical lineage. The other tick species found were Rhipicephalus microplus (0.77%), Amblyomma breviscutatum (0.77 %), and a Haemaphysalis sp. (0.51%). Blood samples from 136 dogs, four cats, and 64 wild pigs were tested using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing methods. Five different tick-borne pathogens with the following prevalences were found in dogs: Anaplasma phagocytophilum 5.9% (95% CI: 2.6–11.3); Anaplasma platys 19.1% (95% CI: 12.9–26.7); Babesia canis vogeli 8.8% (95% CI: 4.6–14.9); Ehrlichia canis 12.5% (95% CI: 7.5–19.3); Hepatozoon canis 14.7% (95% CI: 9.2–28.8). E. canis was detected in one cat, and no tick-borne pathogens were detected in wild pigs. Overall, 43.4% (95% CI: 34.9–52.1) of dogs had at least one tick-borne pathogen. Serological testing for antibodies against Ehrlichia spp. and Anaplasma spp. showed prevalences of 14.7% (95% CI: 9.2–28.8) and 31.6% (95% CI: 23.9–40), respectively.Conclusion: Four different tick species were found in Guam to include a Haemaphysalis sp., which is a previously unreported genus for Guam. Dogs with ticks have a high prevalence of tick-borne pathogens which makes them useful sentinels.

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Brown dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus parasitizing the bird Coereba flaveola in the Brazilian cerrado

Ciência Rural ◽

10.1590/s0103-84782008000200041 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 38 (2) ◽

pp. 543-545 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Matias Pablo Juan Szabó ◽

Graziela Virginia Tolesano Pascoli ◽

Oswaldo Marçal Júnior ◽

Alexandre Gabriel Franchin ◽

Khelma Torga

Keyword(s):

Tick Species ◽

Bird Species ◽

Rhipicephalus Sanguineus ◽

Brazilian Cerrado ◽

Male Adult ◽

Unknown Route ◽

Brown Dog Tick ◽

Dog Tick ◽

Coereba Flaveola

During a survey for ectoparasites on birds in a small reserve of the Brazilian cerrado (savannah) a male adult Rhipicephalus sanguineus tick was found attached to the eyelid of the bird Coereba flaveola. Both tick and bird are presently common in Brazil, however, to best of our knowledge, the association of this tick species with this bird species has not been reported before. This observation may be an accidental finding but might also be an unknown route for the dissemination of the tick. The species R. sanguineus was introduced in the country with the colonization and should be considered a research target for the surveillance of tick-borne diseases.

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Molecular Prevalence of Hepatozoon canis Infection in Dog Tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, from Punjab, India

Journal of Animal Research ◽

10.5958/2277-940x.2017.00057.2 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. 401 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Kaushlendra Singh ◽

Harkirat Singh ◽

N.K. Singh ◽

N. Kashyap ◽

S.S. Rath

Keyword(s):

Rhipicephalus Sanguineus ◽

Hepatozoon Canis ◽

Dog Tick

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A community approach of pathogens and their arthropod vectors (ticks and fleas) in dogs of African Sub-Sahara

Parasites & Vectors ◽

10.1186/s13071-021-05014-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Dieter Heylen ◽

Michael Day ◽

Bettina Schunack ◽

Josephus Fourie ◽

Michel Labuschange ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Geographic Variation ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Tick Species ◽

Companion Animals ◽

Rhipicephalus Sanguineus ◽

Pathogen Transmission ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Hepatozoon Canis ◽

Consistent Difference

Abstract Background Arthropod-borne pathogens and their vectors are present throughout Africa. They have been well-studied in livestock of sub-Saharan Africa, but poorly in companion animals. Given the socio-economic importance of companion animals, the African Small Companion Animal Network (AFSCAN), as part of the WSAVA Foundation, initiated a standardized multi-country surveillance study. Methods Macro-geographic variation in ectoparasite (ticks and fleas) and pathogen communities in dogs was assessed through molecular screening of approximately 100 infested dogs in each of six countries (Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda and Namibia), both in rural and urban settings. The most important intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors within the subpopulation of infested dogs were evaluated. Results Despite the large macro-geographic variation in the dogs screened, there was no consistent difference between East and West Africa in terms of the diversity and numbers of ticks. The highest and lowest numbers of ticks were found in Nigeria and Namibia, respectively. Most often, there was a higher diversity of ticks in rural habitats than in urban habitats, although the highest diversity was observed in an urban Uganda setting. With the exception of Namibia, more fleas were collected in rural areas. We identified tick species (including Haemaphysalis spinulosa) as well as zoonotic pathogens (Coxiella burnetti, Trypanosoma spp.) that are not classically associated with companion animals. Rhipicephalus sanguineus was the most abundant tick, with a preference for urban areas. Exophilic ticks, such as Haemaphysalis spp., were more often found in rural areas. Several multi-host ticks occurred in urban areas. For R. sanguineus, housing conditions and additional pets were relevant factors in terms of infestation, while for a rural tick species (Haemaphysalis elliptica), free-roaming dogs were more often infested. Tick occurrence was associated to the use of endoparasiticide, but not to the use of ectoparasiticide. The most prevalent tick-borne pathogen was Hepatozoon canis followed by Ehrlichia canis. High levels of co-parasitism were observed in all countries and habitats. Conclusions As dogs share a common environment with people, they have the potential to extend the network of pathogen transmission to humans. Our study will help epidemiologists to provide recommendations for surveillance and prevention of pathogens in dogs and humans. Graphical abstract

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In vitro evaluation of effectiveness of synthetic pyrethroids against brown dog tick

Indian Journal of Animal Research ◽

10.18805/ijar.b-3663 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

K.P. Shyma ◽

Veer Singh and Jay Prakash Gupta

Keyword(s):

Larval Mortality ◽

Rhipicephalus Sanguineus ◽

Ixodid Ticks ◽

Domestic Dog ◽

Hepatozoon Canis ◽

Synthetic Pyrethroids ◽

Public Health Importance ◽

Brown Dog Tick ◽

Wide Range ◽

Dog Tick

Rhipicephalus sanguineus, the brown dog tick, is one of the most cosmopolitan ixodid ticks of veterinary and public health importance. The domestic dog is the main host of R. sanguineus, but occasionally, can infest a wide range of domestic and wild hosts, including humans. It causes debilitating effects due to blood losses in affected animals and also transmits several pathogens such as Ehrlichia canis, Babesia canis, Haemobartonella canis and Hepatozoon canis. Engorged female R. sanguineus kept for oviposition. Hatched larvae of Rhipicephalus sanguineus were subjected to larval packet test (LPT) to know its efficacy against deltamethrin and cypermethrin. The LC50 and LC95 concentrations were calculated by plotting regression curve of mortality against different concentrations of acaricides. A dose dependent increase in larval mortality was observed for both cypermethrin and deltamethrin. LC50 and LC95 for both deltamethrin and cypermethrin are calculated to be 9.59, 75.87 and 7.08, 219.85, respectively. The results indicated that R. sanguineus ticks were susceptible for cypermethrin, having high percentage mortality at the recommended concentration (200 ppm). However, deltamethrin produced a lower level of mortality at its market recommended dose (25 ppm).

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First molecular evidence of Hepatozoon canis infection in Rhipicephalus sanguineus (sensu lato) ticks in Iran

10.21203/rs.3.rs-81343/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

MohammadReza Zeinali ◽

Farnaz Malekifard ◽

Alaleh Rakhshanpour ◽

Mohammad Yakhchali

Keyword(s):

Rhipicephalus Sanguineus ◽

Diagnostic Methods ◽

Ixodid Ticks ◽

Hepatozoon Canis ◽

Molecular Evidence ◽

Microscopical Examination ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Blood Samples ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Rhipicephalus Sanguineus Sensu Lato

Abstract Background Hepatozoon canis is a protozoan that is transmitted by the ixodid ticks. Ingesting the tick or a section of the tick organ which is infected by the mature oocysts containing infectious sporozoite is the main source of infection in dogs. Canine hepatozoonosis infects dogs in Iran, but the vector for Hepatozoon protozoa from Iran has never been demonstrated. The present study aims to detect H. canis in dogs and vector ticks in Iran. Methods During the period of 2018–2019, Blood samples and ixodid ticks were collected and examined using microscopical, molecular, and serological methods. A total of 246 blood samples were collected from the cephalic vein of pet, stray, and shelter dogs (103 stray, 99 shelter, and 44 pets) of both genders and varying ages in Northwest of Iran. Results Microscopically, infected neutrophils with Hepatozoon spp. were detected in 5 of 246 (2.03%) thin stained blood smears with low parasitemia. Indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT) was used to test the serum samples and antibodies against H. canis were detected in 31 (12.6%) of the serum samples. Molecularly, 23 out of 246 (9.34%) blood samples were found to be infected with H. canis. A comparison of the results of 3 diagnostic methods demonstrated a good agreement between IFAT and PCR and a poor agreement between microscopical examination with IFAT and PCR. There was no significant difference in different age groups and sex of sampled dogs. However, stray dogs had significant infection rate of than pets and shelter ones. In body inspection, 141 adult ticks (31 partially engorged females, 26 fully engorged female and 84 fed males) were collected from examined dogs and all ticks were belonging to species of Rhipicephalus sanguineus (sensu lato). Positive reaction to H. canis was observed in the genomic DNA of the 7 ticks (4.96%). A BLAST analysis of obtaining sequences isolated from both dogs and ticks indicated a 99–100% similarity with H. canis 18S rRNA gene sequences in GenBank. This is the first study in Iran to detect H. canis in R. sanguineus tick.

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Diversity and Geographic Distribution of Dog Tick Species In Sri Lanka and The Life Cycle of Brown Dog Tick, Rhipicephalus Sanguineus Under Laboratory Conditions

10.21203/rs.3.rs-721544/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Rupika Subashini Rajakaruna

Keyword(s):

Life Cycle ◽

Species Diversity ◽

Sri Lanka ◽

Geographic Distribution ◽

Tick Species ◽

Dominant Species ◽

Rhipicephalus Sanguineus ◽

Laboratory Conditions ◽

Brown Dog Tick ◽

Dog Tick

Abstract Background Tick infestations and canine tick-borne diseases have become a major emerging health concern of dogs in Sri Lanka. Information about tick species infesting dogs and their geographic distribution in Sri Lanka is largely unknown. Methods An island-wide, cross-sectional survey of tick species infesting the domestic dog was carried out, and the life cycle of the major dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus was studied under laboratory conditions. Results A total of 3,026 ticks were collected from 1,219 dogs of different breeds in all 25 districts in the three climatic zones: Wet, Dry, and Intermediate zones. Eight species in five genera were identified: R. sanguineus (63.4%), Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides (22.0%), Haemaphysalis bispinosa (12.5%), Haemaphysalis intermedia (0.9%), Haemaphysalis turturis (0.6%), Amblyoma integrum (0.4%), Dermacentor auratus (0.2%) and Hyalomma sp (0.06%). The brown dog tick, R. sanguineus was the dominant species in the Dry and Wet zones, while R. haemaphysaloides was the dominant species in the Intermediate zone. Species diversity (presented as Shannon diversity index H) in the three was 1.135, 1.021and 0.849 in Intermediate, Dry and Wet zones, respectively. Adults formed 94.7% with a significantly higher number of females, and the rest were nymphs. Rhipicephalus sanguineus preferred the anterior side of the host body, specifically the inner and outer side of the ear. In contrast, R. haemaphysaloides preferred the posterior side, mainly the fore and hind limbs. The three-host life cycle of R. sanguineus was completed within 70–126 days, all three stages successfully fed on the New Zealand white rabbits under laboratory conditions. The mean REI and RFI were 50.8 ± 9.69 and 9.1 ± 5.01, respectively. Larger females had higher reproductive success. Conclusion The dominant dog tick species and the species diversity varied in different climatic regions of Sri Lanka. Information on diversity, distribution and life cycle parameters is fundamental for studies of canine tick-borne infections, zoonoses, and their epidemiology.

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Climate impacts on the vector capacity of tropical and temperate populations of the brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato.

10.1079/9781789249637.0030 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 209-215

Author(s):

Gervasio Bechara ◽

Gustavo Sanches

Keyword(s):

Tick Species ◽

Rhipicephalus Sanguineus ◽

Climatic Conditions ◽

Climate Impacts ◽

Vegetation Coverage ◽

Brown Dog Tick ◽

Rhipicephalus Sanguineus Sensu Lato ◽

Dog Tick ◽

Vector Capacity ◽

Preferred Hosts

Abstract The distribution and survival of a tick species are affected by several factors such as host availability, vegetation coverage, climatic conditions (humidity, photoperiod and temperature) and anthropic activities. This expert opinion discusses the differences between both tropical and temperate R. sanguineus lineages, how climate changes could affect their distribution and abundance, and consequently the incidence of the diseases transmitted by them to dogs, their preferred hosts.

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Naturally occurring feline leukemia virus subgroup A and B infections in urban domestic cats

Journal of General Virology ◽

10.1099/vir.0.2008/003855-0 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 89 (11) ◽

pp. 2799-2805 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Fabiana Magalhães Coelho ◽

Maria Rosa Quaresma Bomfim ◽

Fabíola de Andrade Caxito ◽

Natália Almeida Ribeiro ◽

Marcela Miranda Luppi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Phylogenetic Analysis ◽

Leukemia Virus ◽

Felis Catus ◽

Feline Leukemia Virus ◽

Domestic Cats ◽

Blood Samples ◽

Proviral Dna ◽

Naturally Occurring ◽

High Prevalence ◽

Large Populations

A nested-PCR (n-PCR) was used to detect feline leukemia virus (FeLV) proviral DNA in blood samples from 464 sick and 608 healthy domestic cats (Felis catus) selected by convenience, and a significantly high prevalence of FeLV infection was observed. n-PCR results revealed the presence of FeLV proviral DNA in 47.2 % of sick cats and 47.4 % of healthy cats. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that FeLV samples from healthy or sick cats were grouped into separate clades. We determined FeLV subgroups by an n-PCR based on the envelope (env) gene. The partial env gene of FeLV Minas Gerais (MG) samples were compared to various exogenous FeLV isolates and endogenous (enFeLV) provirus from the same region. FeLV-B MG samples were more similar to endogenous sequences and to natural FeLV-B isolates than to either FeLV-A or FeLV-C. The results revealed the circulation of FeLV-B in large populations of urban domestic cats in Brazil.

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Detección de Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato en perros y sus garrapatas en comunidades rurales de Yucatán, México

Revista de Biología Tropical ◽

10.15517/rbt.v66i1.27776 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 66 (1) ◽

pp. 428 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Analilia Solís-Hernández ◽

Roger Iván Rodríguez-Vivas ◽

María Dolores Esteve-Gassent ◽

Sandra Luz Villegas-Pérez

Keyword(s):

Rural Communities ◽

Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽

Tick Species ◽

Rhipicephalus Sanguineus ◽

Borrelia Burgdorferi Sensu Lato ◽

Blood Samples ◽

Rhipicephalus Sanguineus Sensu Lato ◽

Forested Areas ◽

Flab Gene ◽

Conserved Gene

In Mexico, the distribution and the presence of pathogenic genospecies of B. burgdorferi in dogs and their ticks has not been extensively investigated. The study of canine borreliosis is acquiring greater relevance, since the dog is considered to be an important sentinel for pathogens pertaining to the complex Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato; in addition, dogs could be playing a key role in the spread of ticks from forested areas into the domestic environment. This study aimed to detect and estimate the prevalence of B. burgdorferi s.l. in dogs and their ticks in two rural communities of Yucatán, Mexico. In each community, 50 houses were visited, where 144 blood samples from dogs were studied by puncture of the saphenous vein, as well as the collection of their ticks. To detect the presence of B. burgdorferi s.l. in these samples, the conserved gene flaB, p66 and ospC were PCR amplified. A total of 144 dog blood samples, and 846 of ticks were obtained from the examined animals. Considering tick species, Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (786 / 846) was common, while Ixodes affinis (33 / 846), and Amblyomma mixtum (27 / 846) resulted less frequent. As per gene conservation, the prevalence of B. burgdorferi in canine blood was 17.3 % (25 / 144) to flaB, 12.50 % (18 / 144) for p66 and 1.38 % (2 / 144) for the ospC gene. Within the analyzed ticks, R. sanguineus s.l. had a prevalence of 0.89 %, A. mixtum 5.88 % and I. affinis 15.15 %, being this last species the one that presented higher prevalence. Two dogs and their ticks I. affinis were positive to the flaB gene. Only a tick R. sanguineus s.l. was positive to the gene p66 and no tick species was positive the ospC gene. This study confirmed the existence of B. burgdorferi s.l. in dogs and their ticks in rural communities of Yucatán, Mexico. The detection of Borrelia in dogs may be an important criterion for the evaluation of the risk of borreliosis in humans, since the dog can be used as an epidemiological indicator for the identification of new outbreaks of this disease.

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Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Acari: Ixodidae), the brown dog tick, parasitizing humans in Brazil

Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical ◽

10.1590/s0037-86822006000100012 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 39 (1) ◽

pp. 64-67 ◽

Cited By ~ 90

Author(s):

Filipe Dantas-Torres ◽

Luciana Aguiar Figueredo ◽

Sinval Pinto Brandão-Filho

Keyword(s):

Tick Species ◽

Rhipicephalus Sanguineus ◽

Domestic Dogs ◽

Metropolitan Region ◽

Brown Dog Tick ◽

Dog Owners ◽

Dog Tick

The objective of this paper is to describe four cases of human parasitism by Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latrielle) in Brazil. During an investigation regarding the species of ectoparasites of domestic dogs from the metropolitan region of Recife, Pernambuco state, four dog owners were found to be parasitized by ticks. The ticks were collected from these individuals and their dogs. All the ticks were identified as Rhipicephalus sanguineus . These are, to our knowledge, the first four cases of human parasitism by this tick species in Brazil. The possible implications of this finding are discussed here.

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