Comparative Proteomics of Coxiella like Endosymbionts (CLEs) in the Symbiotic Organs of Rhipicephalus sanguineus Ticks

Here we compare the Coxiella -like endosymbionts (CLE) proteomes from Malpighian tubule (Mt) and the ovaries (Ov) of the brown dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus . Our results support the hypothesis that CLEs function interdependently with host requirements in each of the organs.

Novel phlebovirus-like-AYUT and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia bacterial co-infection in a Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. tick

Tick-borne viruses and bacteria that can cause diseases of animals and humans have high impact and are of concern as significant threats to human health worldwide. In this research, we screened microorganisms related to those pathogens in ticks from dogs, a cat, and a cow. The techniques used were PCR, DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis to detect and classify the microorganisms [Flavivirus, severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV), Phlebovirus, Coronavirus, Canine Parvovirus, eubacteria, Coxiella and Rickettsia]. A novel virus named Phlebovirus-like-AYUT and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia bacteria were found in one individual tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l.) from a dog. All tick samples were negative for Rickettsia, while 9/21 (42.9 %) were positive for Coxiella bacteria. The novel virus “Phlebovirus-like-AYUT” (the name derives from Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province in Thailand) was resolved by phylogenetic analysis of the partial L segment by maximum likelihood (ML) method using MEGA X. The phylogenetic tree also indicated that the virus was related to Phlebovirus in brown dog ticks reported in Trinidad and Tobago. In contrast, Phlebovirus-like-AYUT was in a distinct clade from Lihan tick Phlebovirus-Thailand (LTPV), which was previously found in cow ticks, Rhipicephalus microplus, in Nan Province, Thailand. This study reports the Stenotrophomonas maltophilia bacterium with a novel Phlebovirus-like-AYUT in a brown dog tick. The roles of this bacterium in a virus-positive tick or in viral transmission from animal host requires further investigation.

A Case Study of Assessment of Haemato-Biochemical Profile, Clinical Diagnosis and Therapeutic Management of Canine Monocytic Ehrlichiosis (Tropical Canine Pancytopenia) In A Male Doberman DOG

Ehrlichia canis is an obligate intracellular rickettsial agent that is transmitted by a brown dog tick called as Rhipicephalus sanguineus which is considered as the principal vector of this disease. A 3-year-old male Doberman dog weighing 25 kg is presented with the history of inappetence, fever, weakness, anemia, scanty feces, hemoglobinuria, shrunken eye ball with mild corneal opacity and reluctant to walk due to pain in the joints. Clinical examination revealed elevated rectal temperature of 104.30F, tachycardia, increased respiratory rate and pale mucous membrane. Blood and serum samples were collected for hematology and serum biochemistry respectively. On blood smear examination with Giemsa staining, Ehrlichia morulae were noticed in monocytes suggestive of Canine Monocytic Ehrlichiosis / Tropical Canine Pancytopenia.

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

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.

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

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.

PREVALENCE AND ECOLOGY OF THE BROWN DOG TICK RHIPICEPHALUS SANGUINEUS IN DOMESTIC MAMMALS IN BASRAH PROVINCE, IRAQ, WITH THE ACARICIDAL EFFECT OF QUERCUS BRANTTI ACORNS EXTRACT IN ADULTS.

This study was aimed to detect the infestation of Rhipicephalus sanguineus of some mammals in Basrah province from January to June 2019. A total 75 of 210 (35.71%) of studied mammals were been infested. This species was isolated from horses in Iraq for the first time. The highest prevalence was recorded in dogs while the lowest in buffaloes. Mean of intensity was recorded mostly in sheep, and the lowest in horses. Highest relative density was recorded in dogs, whereas the lowest was in horses. The highest occurrence was recorded in April, whereas the lowest was in January. The acaricidal effect of ethanolic extract of acorns Quercus brantti in adults was shown the rates of mortality increases with the rise of extract concentrations. Mortality percentages were increased according to the time of the exposure. Females were more sensitive than males in the treatment with extract.

Identification of Ticks in Dogs with Ehrlichiosis

Examination of ticks collected from ehrlichiosis positive dogs revealed the occurrence of Rhipicephalus sanguineus. The distribution of ehrlichiosis in dogs is related to the spreading of vectors. Ehrlichia canis is the etiologic agent of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME) and recognized as the most prevalent tick-borne disease affecting dogs and is transmitted by the brown dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus with an expanding global distribution. Infection of the vertebrate host occurred when an infected tick ingested a blood meal which in turn contaminated the feeding site with its salivary secretion. Blood transfusions from infected donors can also transmit the organisms. Hence, identification of ticks is necessary to detect the disease affecting dogs.