DOCSLIB.ORG

Tick Threat and Control Methods

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Tick Threat and Control Methods Vet Times The website for the veterinary profession https://www.vettimes.co.uk Tick threat and control methods Author : Hany Elsheikha Categories : Farm animal, Vets Date : May 29, 2017 ABSTRACT Ticks are a complex group of ectoparasites considered the most important vector of pathogens in the northern hemisphere. Control of ticks in companion animals (dogs and cats) is essential – not only to maintain the health and welfare of the animal, but also to protect people from tick infestation and the potential transmission of serious zoonotic infections. A large number of effective acaricides are already available; however, optimal management of ticks is a task that has always been difficult to accomplish. This is due to many variables, including the large number and ecological complexity of tick-borne pathogens, the geographic expansion of the tick vectors, the broad range of reservoir hosts, and limitations associated with diagnosis and treatment of tick-borne pathogens. Integrated interventions tailored to each animal and engaging pet owner to enhance drug compliance are the way forward if we are to achieve effective tick control. Also, knowledge of the indications and safety of available acaricide drugs is crucial when choosing the appropriate treatment for the individual animal. In this article, the clinical impact of tick infestation is discussed and information regarding the control of ticks is provided. Ticks are arthropods belonging to the class Arachnida. To date, more than 900 tick species exist worldwide and they are classified as hard ticks (Ixodidae) or soft ticks (Argasidae). Ticks can cause physical damage to their victims and, in some instances, death. Indeed, companion animals have always suffered from a broad range of tick infestations. Irritation, allergic reactions and fatal illnesses can occur in infested animals. Ticks are efficient blood suckers and among the most dangerous haematophagous ectoparasites. All stages of ticks feed on blood of their hosts. Therefore, they can transmit many tick-borne pathogens to animals and humans. Ticks vector a broad range of disease-causing pathogens and 1 / 7 are second only to mosquitoes in their capacity to transmit disease agents of importance to human and animal health. Figure 1. Adult females of the common tick species of dogs and cats in the UK. (A) Ixodes ricinus (the sheep tick, wood tick, deer tick or castor bean tick), (B) Ixodes hexagonus (the hedgehog tick), (C) Ixodes canisuga (the British dog tick), (D) Dermacentor reticulatus (the ornate cow tick or the marsh tick), (E) Haemaphysalis punctate (the red sheep tick) and (F) Rhipicephalus sanguineus (the brown dog tick or kennel tick). Figures A to D show the dorsal view of the tick and Figures E and F show the ventral aspect of the tick. Scale bar = 1mm. IMAGE: University of Bristol tick ID online (http://bristoltickid.blogs.ilrt.org) with permission of Richard Wall. Therefore, better understanding of the tick epidemiology and available approach to control tick infestation is more important than ever. Health impacts of tick infestation Tick infestation can seriously compromise the health of the affected animal through multiple ways. Firstly, severe anaemia or immunosuppression can result from blood-feeding and engorgement of many adult female ticks (Figure 1). Secondly, bacterial infection of bite sites can lead to dermal pathologies or pyogenic lesions. Thirdly, toxins secreted in the saliva of certain ticks can cause tick paralysis. More importantly, ticks can transmit many pathogens, which can cause diseases more serious than the damage caused by ticks themselves (Elsheikha, 2016). For example, canine ehrlichiosis due to Ehrlichia canis and canine babesiosis due to Babesia gibsoni and Babesia canis can significantly cause ill health of dogs. 2 / 7 Infections may progress to a chronic disease, resulting in immunosuppression and pancytopenia in cases of ehrlichiosis or haemolysis, and shock due to multi-organ ischaemia during babesiosis. Fortunately, babesiosis is rare in British dogs – most cases are acquired abroad. However, the detection of a cluster of dogs with babesiosis in Harlow in the year 2016, and bearing in mind some of the affected dogs have not travelled abroad, has raised concerns babesiosis might become endemic in the UK. In nature, risk of exposure to ticks is high. Dogs can be infested with hundreds of ticks and infestation may involve different tick species. Dogs with heavy tick exposure can be infected at a high rate with multiple tick-borne pathogens. Indeed, clear evidence exists for simultaneous acquisition and transmission of various pathogenic species and strains in dogs following tick bites (Diniz et al, 2007; Breitschwerdt et al, 2014). Ticks are also responsible for the spread of zoonotic diseases to humans. During the past two decades, a dramatic increase has occurred in human infection with tick-borne pathogens such as Borrelia, Anaplasma, Ehrlichia and Rickettsia. Tick control methods Given the complexity and diversity of ticks and their life cycles, it is sensible to expect tick control to require an integrated approach combining off-host and on-host treatment. Chemotherapeutic treatment and prevention A number of anti-tick (acaricide) products can be used to reduce the risk of exposure of pets to ticks. However, the selection of acaricide-resistant ticks and environmental impacts due to chemical residues are the only two limitations of using chemical acaricides (Eiden et al, 2015). This was the reason for the increased interest in exploring plant extracts as eco-friendly acaricides or repellents against ticks (Benelli et al, 2016). Regardless, acaricides remain the mainstay to achieve effective tick control. Choice of acaricide product should be based on animal lifestyle factors, geographical location, previous tick exposure, travel to an endemic region/country, owner affordability, and preference and any other drug needs for the pet. Some products contain pyrethroids, which have a tick- repellent (prevent tick from taking a blood meal), as well as insecticide and acaricide effects. Besides ticks and tick-borne diseases, many other diseases are transmitted by other arthropod vectors. Those should be also take into account when devising chemical control strategy for pets. It is important to know cats can develop toxicity if a canine permethrin product is applied inappropriately or via secondary contact with a dog treated with a spot-on product containing permethrin. So, it is best to avoid the use of permethrin-containing products on a dog that shares a home with a cat. Cat collars that contain small amounts of permethrin may be appropriate for use 3 / 7 on cats. For more information on ectoparasiticides, Veterinary Prescriber created the parasiticides database to guide practitioners on the available products (www.veterinaryprescriber.org/subscribers-content/2014/7/10/ecto). A tutorial also exists on how to use the parasiticides guide (www.veterinaryprescriber.org/free-articles/2015/4/16/how-to-use-the-ectoparasiticide-guide). Protective measures and tick removal Tick control can be effective without the adoption of some protective measures. These include avoidance of tick habitat, avoiding heavily wooded and grassy areas, using repellents, and frequent tick checks (at least one check per day) to pick up and remove ticks, with a tick removal device or fine pointed tweezers, before they can transmit disease. Although the transmission time for Borrelia (agent of Lyme disease) and Babesia is one to two days, transmission can occur in less than 16 hours and the minimum attachment time for transmission of infection is still unclear. It is also possible Rickettsia and Ehrlichia can be transmitted quickly (within three to four hours). In general, transmission is correlated to duration of tick attachment, hence it is advisable to use products that kill or repel ticks as quickly as possible to reduce the risk of disease transmission. Ticks can be collected directly from the animals by hand-picking. This method involves manual search for ticks on the body and fur of animals. Pet owners should be advised to check pets for ticks after walks. If a tick is found on the body, it should be removed completely. The body of the tick should be grasped gently and vertical traction applied, using blunt, medium-tipped, angled forceps, until it displaces. Commercially available devices (known as tick twisters) especially designed for tick removal using “twist and pull” action can also be used. Some tick removal methods should be avoided, such as applying a hot match to the tick body, covering the tick with petroleum jelly, nail polish, alcohol, or gasoline, using lidocaine and passing a needle through the tick. If any of these improper techniques is applied, parts of the mouth may remain in the skin, which can lead to infection or elicit inflammation. Vaccination has been shown to be a feasible tick control method in cattle and offers a cost- effective, environmentally friendly alternative to chemical control (Jonsson et al, 2000). However, identification of tick-protective antigens remains the limiting step in vaccine development. Tick antigens exposed naturally to the host during tick feeding and those concealed have both shown promise as candidate vaccine antigens. Development of effective vaccines against multiple tick species infesting dogs and cats may be possible using highly conserved tick-protective antigens that exhibit immune cross-reaction to different tick species or using a combination
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Influence of Parasites on Fitness Parameters of the European Hedgehog (Erinaceus Europaeus)
    Influence of parasites on fitness parameters of the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus ) Zur Erlangung des akademischen Grades eines DOKTORS DER NATURWISSENSCHAFTEN (Dr. rer. nat.) Fakultät für Chemie und Biowissenschaften Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT) – Universitätsbereich vorgelegte DISSERTATION von Miriam Pamina Pfäffle aus Heilbronn Dekan: Prof. Dr. Stefan Bräse Referent: Prof. Dr. Horst Taraschewski Korreferent: Prof. Dr. Agustin Estrada-Peña Tag der mündlichen Prüfung: 19.10.2010 For my mother and my sister – the strongest influences in my life “Nose-to-nose with a hedgehog, you get a chance to look into its eyes and glimpse a spark of truly wildlife.” (H UGH WARWICK , 2008) „Madame Michel besitzt die Eleganz des Igels: außen mit Stacheln gepanzert, eine echte Festung, aber ich ahne vage, dass sie innen auf genauso einfache Art raffiniert ist wie die Igel, diese kleinen Tiere, die nur scheinbar träge, entschieden ungesellig und schrecklich elegant sind.“ (M URIEL BARBERY , 2008) Index of contents Index of contents ABSTRACT 13 ZUSAMMENFASSUNG 15 I. INTRODUCTION 17 1. Parasitism 17 2. The European hedgehog ( Erinaceus europaeus LINNAEUS 1758) 19 2.1 Taxonomy and distribution 19 2.2 Ecology 22 2.3 Hedgehog populations 25 2.4 Parasites of the hedgehog 27 2.4.1 Ectoparasites 27 2.4.2 Endoparasites 32 3. Study aims 39 II. MATERIALS , ANIMALS AND METHODS 41 1. The experimental hedgehog population 41 1.1 Hedgehogs 41 1.2 Ticks 43 1.3 Blood sampling 43 1.4 Blood parameters 45 1.5 Regeneration 47 1.6 Climate parameters 47 2. Hedgehog dissections 48 2.1 Hedgehog samples 48 2.2 Biometrical data 48 2.3 Organs 49 2.4 Parasites 50 3.
    [Show full text]
  • Borne Pathogens Tim R
    Hofmeester et al. Parasites & Vectors (2018) 11:600 https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-018-3126-8 RESEARCH Open Access Role of mustelids in the life-cycle of ixodid ticks and transmission cycles of four tick- borne pathogens Tim R. Hofmeester1,2*, Aleksandra I. Krawczyk3, Arieke Docters van Leeuwen3, Manoj Fonville3, Margriet G. E. Montizaan4, Koen van den Berge5, Jan Gouwy5, Sanne C. Ruyts6, Kris Verheyen6 and Hein Sprong3* Abstract Background: Elucidating which wildlife species significantly contribute to the maintenance of Ixodes ricinus populations and the enzootic cycles of the pathogens they transmit is imperative in understanding the driving forces behind the emergence of tick-borne diseases. Here, we aimed to quantify the relative contribution of four mustelid species in the life-cycles of I. ricinus and Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu lato) in forested areas and to investigate their role in the transmission of other tick-borne pathogens. Road-killed badgers, pine martens, stone martens and polecats were collected in Belgium and the Netherlands. Their organs and feeding ticks were tested for the presence of tick-borne pathogens. Results: Ixodes hexagonus and I. ricinus were found on half of the screened animals (n = 637). Pine martens had the highest I. ricinus burden, whereas polecats had the highest I. hexagonus burden. We detected DNA from B. burgdorferi (s.l.)andAnaplasma phagocytophilum in organs of all four mustelid species (n = 789), and Neoehrlichia mikurensis DNA was detected in all species, except badgers. DNA from B. miyamotoi was not detected in any of the investigated mustelids. From the 15 larvae of I. ricinus feeding on pine martens (n = 44), only one was positive for B.
    [Show full text]
  • Erinaceus Europaeus) in Urmia City, Iran: First Report
    ORIGINAL Veterinary ARTICLE Veterinary Research Forum. 2013; 4 (3) 191 - 194 Research Forum Journal Homepage: vrf.iranjournals.ir Ectoparasitic infestations of the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) in Urmia city, Iran: First report Tahmineh Gorgani-Firouzjaee1, Behzad Pour-Reza2, Soraya Naem1*, Mousa Tavassoli1 1Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran; 2 Resident in Veterinary Surgery, Department of Surgery and Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Tehran University, Tehran, Iran. Article Info Abstract Article history: Hedgehogs are small, nocturnal mammals that become popular in the world and have significant role in transmission of zoonotic agents. Some of the agents are transmitted by ticks Received: 01 September 2012 and fleas such as rickettsial agents. For these reason, a survey on ectoparasites in European Accepted: 02 March 2013 hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) carried out between April 2006 and December 2007 from Available online: 15 September 2013 different parts of Urmia city, west Azerbaijan, Iran. After being euthanized external surface of body of animals was precisely considered for ectoparasites, and arthropods were collected and Key words: stored in 70% ethanol solution. Out of 34 hedgehogs 23 hedgehogs (67.70%) were infested with ticks (Rhipicephalus turanicus). Fleas of the species Archaeopsylla erinacei were found on Ectoparasite 19 hedgehogs of 34 hedgehogs (55.90%). There was no significant differences between sex of Hedgehog ticks (p > 0.05) but found in fleas (p < 0.05). The prevalence of infestation in sexes and the body Iran condition of hedgehogs (small, medium and large) with ticks and fleas did not show significant Urmia differences (p > 0.05). Highest occurrence of infestation in both tick and flea was in June.
    [Show full text]
  • Canisuga, I. (Ph.) Kaiseri, I
    Hornok et al. Parasites & Vectors (2017) 10:545 DOI 10.1186/s13071-017-2424-x RESEARCH Open Access Contributions to the phylogeny of Ixodes (Pholeoixodes) canisuga, I. (Ph.) kaiseri, I. (Ph.) hexagonus and a simple pictorial key for the identification of their females Sándor Hornok1* , Attila D. Sándor2, Relja Beck3, Róbert Farkas1, Lorenza Beati4, Jenő Kontschán5, Nóra Takács1, Gábor Földvári1, Cornelia Silaghi6, Elisabeth Meyer-Kayser7, Adnan Hodžić8, Snežana Tomanović9, Swaid Abdullah10, Richard Wall10, Agustín Estrada-Peña11, Georg Gerhard Duscher8 and Olivier Plantard12 Abstract Background: In Europe, hard ticks of the subgenus Pholeoixodes (Ixodidae: Ixodes) are usually associated with burrow-dwelling mammals and terrestrial birds. Reports of Pholeoixodes spp. from carnivores are frequently contradictory, and their identification is not based on key diagnostic characters. Therefore, the aims of the present study were to identify ticks collected from dogs, foxes and badgers in several European countries, and to reassess their systematic status with molecular analyses using two mitochondrial markers. Results: Between 2003 and 2017, 144 Pholeoixodes spp. ticks were collected in nine European countries. From accurate descriptions and comparison with type-materials, a simple illustrated identification key was compiled for adult females, by focusing on the shape of the anterior surface of basis capituli. Based on this key, 71 female ticks were identified as I. canisuga,21asI. kaiseri and 21 as I. hexagonus. DNA was extracted from these 113 female ticks, and from further 31 specimens. Fragments of two mitochondrial genes, cox1 (cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1) and 16S rRNA, were amplified and sequenced. Ixodes kaiseri had nine unique cox1 haplotypes, which showed 99.2–100% sequence identity, whereas I.
    [Show full text]
  • Central-European Ticks (Ixodoidea) - Key for Determination 61-92 ©Landesmuseum Joanneum Graz, Austria, Download Unter
    ZOBODAT - www.zobodat.at Zoologisch-Botanische Datenbank/Zoological-Botanical Database Digitale Literatur/Digital Literature Zeitschrift/Journal: Mitteilungen der Abteilung für Zoologie am Landesmuseum Joanneum Graz Jahr/Year: 1972 Band/Volume: 01_1972 Autor(en)/Author(s): Nosek Josef, Sixl Wolf Artikel/Article: Central-European Ticks (Ixodoidea) - Key for determination 61-92 ©Landesmuseum Joanneum Graz, Austria, download unter www.biologiezentrum.at Mitt. Abt. Zool. Landesmus. Joanneum Jg. 1, H. 2 S. 61—92 Graz 1972 Central-European Ticks (Ixodoidea) — Key for determination — By J. NOSEK & W. SIXL in collaboration with P. KVICALA & H. WALTINGER With 18 plates Received September 3th 1972 61 (217) ©Landesmuseum Joanneum Graz, Austria, download unter www.biologiezentrum.at Dr. Josef NOSEK and Pavol KVICALA: Institute of Virology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, WHO-Reference- Center, Bratislava — CSSR. (Director: Univ.-Prof. Dr. D. BLASCOVIC.) Dr. Wolf SIXL: Institute of Hygiene, University of Graz, Austria. (Director: Univ.-Prof. Dr. J. R. MOSE.) Ing. Hanns WALTINGER: Centrum of Electron-Microscopy, Graz, Austria. (Director: Wirkl. Hofrat Dipl.-Ing. Dr. F. GRASENIK.) This study was supported by the „Jubiläumsfonds der österreichischen Nationalbank" (project-no: 404 and 632). For the authors: Dr. Wolf SIXL, Universität Graz, Hygiene-Institut, Univer- sitätsplatz 4, A-8010 Graz. 62 (218) ©Landesmuseum Joanneum Graz, Austria, download unter www.biologiezentrum.at Dedicated to ERICH REISINGER em. ord. Professor of Zoology of the University of Graz and corr. member of the Austrian Academy of Sciences 3* 63 (219) ©Landesmuseum Joanneum Graz, Austria, download unter www.biologiezentrum.at Preface The world wide distributed ticks, parasites of man and domestic as well as wild animals, also vectors of many diseases, are of great economic and medical importance.
    [Show full text]
  • Ticks Infesting Domestic Dogs in the UK: a Large-Scale Surveillance Programme
    Abdullah, S., Helps, C., Tasker, S., Newbury, H., & Wall, R. (2016). Ticks infesting domestic dogs in the UK: a large-scale surveillance programme. Parasites and Vectors, 9, [391]. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-016-1673-4 Publisher's PDF, also known as Version of record License (if available): CC BY Link to published version (if available): 10.1186/s13071-016-1673-4 Link to publication record in Explore Bristol Research PDF-document This is the final published version of the article (version of record). It first appeared online via BioMed Central at https://parasitesandvectors.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13071-016-1673-4. Please refer to any applicable terms of use of the publisher. University of Bristol - Explore Bristol Research General rights This document is made available in accordance with publisher policies. Please cite only the published version using the reference above. Full terms of use are available: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/red/research-policy/pure/user-guides/ebr-terms/ Abdullah et al. Parasites & Vectors (2016) 9:391 DOI 10.1186/s13071-016-1673-4 RESEARCH Open Access Ticks infesting domestic dogs in the UK: a large-scale surveillance programme Swaid Abdullah1*, Chris Helps2, Severine Tasker2, Hannah Newbury3 and Richard Wall1 Abstract Background: Recent changes in the distribution of tick vectors and the incidence of tick-borne disease, driven variously by factors such as climate change, habitat modification, increasing host abundance and the increased movement of people and animals, highlight the importance of ongoing, active surveillance. This paper documents the results of a large-scale survey of tick abundance on dogs presented to veterinary practices in the UK, using a participatory approach that allows relatively cost- and time-effective extensive data collection.
    [Show full text]
  • Vulpes Vulpes) Attila D
    Sándor et al. Parasites & Vectors (2017) 10:173 DOI 10.1186/s13071-017-2113-9 RESEARCH Open Access Mesocarnivores and macroparasites: altitude and land use predict the ticks occurring on red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) Attila D. Sándor*, Gianluca D’Amico, Călin M. Gherman, Mirabela O. Dumitrache, Cristian Domșa and Andrei Daniel Mihalca Abstract Background: The red fox Vulpes vulpes is the most common mesocarnivore in Europe and with a wide geographical distribution and a high density in most terrestrial habitats of the continent. It is fast urbanising species, which can harbor high numbers of different tick species, depending on the region. Here we present the results of a large-scale study, trying to disentangle the intricate relationship between environmental factors and the species composition of ectoparasites in red foxes. The samples were collected in Transylvania (Romania), a region with a diverse geography and high biodiversity. The dead foxes (collected primarily through the National Surveillance Rabies Program) were examined carefully for the presence of ticks. Results: Ticks (n = 4578) were found on 158 foxes (out of 293 examined; 53.9%). Four species were identified: Dermacentor marginatus, Ixodes canisuga, I. hexagonus and I. ricinus. The most common tick species was I. hexagonus (mean prevalence 37.5%, mean intensity 32.2), followed by I. ricinus (15.0%; 4.86), I. canisuga (4.8%; 7.71) and D. marginatus (3.7%; 3.45). Co-occurrence of two or more tick species on the same host was relatively common (12.6%), the most common co-occurrence being I. hexagonus - I. ricinus.ForD. marginatus and I.
    [Show full text]
  • Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) Ticks Parasitizing Red Foxes (Vulpes Vulpes) in Slovakia and New Data About Subgenus Pholeoixodes Occurrence
    Acta Parasitologica https://doi.org/10.2478/s11686-020-00184-4 ORIGINAL PAPER Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) Ticks Parasitizing Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Slovakia and New Data About Subgenus Pholeoixodes Occurrence Grzegorz Karbowiak1 · Michal Stanko2 · Martina Miterpaková2 · Zuzana Hurníková2 · Bronislava Víchová2 Received: 21 August 2019 / Accepted: 9 December 2019 © The Author(s) 2020 Abstract Background Distribution and biology of Pholeoixodes ticks is not very well understood. The goal of the study was to collect new data on the Pholeoixodes tick occurrence in Slovakia. Methods Tick infestation of red foxes in the regions of Košice, Prešov, Bratislava and Žilina was studied during the period 2017–2018. Ticks were collected from the fur of animals using tweezers and identifed using appropriate keys. In total, 146 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) were investigated. Results In total, 39 (26.7%) of animals were found to be infected with ticks from fve species. Pholeoixodes ticks were found on 13 (3.4%) of the foxes: Ixodes hexagonus (Leach, 1815) on 5 specimens (3.4%), in the Košice, Prešov and Žilina regions; I. crenulatus (Koch, 1844) on 8 specimens (5.5%) in the Prešov and Bratislava regions; Ixodes ricinus (Linnaeus, 1758) collected from 25 (17.2%) foxes in every locality; Dermacentor reticulatus (Fabricius, 1794) from 5 foxes (3.4%) in the Košice, Prešov and Žilina regions; Haemaphysalis concinna (Koch, 1844), from 4 foxes (2.8%) from the Košice region. Conclusions Ixodes hexagonus has been previously recorded in Slovakia. However, this is the frst fnding of I. crenulatus in the country. The morphological features of the I. crenulatus specimens found in Slovakia were identical to those of ticks described in Poland and descriptions given in identifcation keys.
    [Show full text]
  • The Health of Hedgehogs in Relation to Tick Infestation and Transmission of Pathogens by the Hedgehog Tick, Ixodes Hexagonus in Vitro
    The health of hedgehogs in relation to tick infestation and transmission of pathogens by the hedgehog tick, Ixodes hexagonus in vitro. Khyara van Hummel April 2014 – July 2014 P a g e | 1 The health of hedgehogs in relation to tick infestation and transmission of pathogens by the hedgehog tick, Ixodes hexagonus in vitro. Author: K.M.L.B. van Hummel Location: Utrecht Centre for Tick-borne Diseases (UCTD) Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Utrecht University Timeslot: April 2014 – July 2014 Supervisor: Prof. Dr. F. Jongejan The image on the front was taken by the author. P a g e | 2 Index Abstract .............................................................................................................................................5 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................6 Ixodes hexagonus ............................................................................................................................................... 6 In vitro feeding ................................................................................................................................................... 6 Objective of this research ................................................................................................................................... 7 Materials and method ........................................................................................................................8 Questionnaire ....................................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Selected Vector-Borne Diseases – Description and Differentiation
    Selected vector-borne diseases – description and differentiation Natalia Jackowska, DVM Vet Planet Ltd. Tomasz Nalbert, DVM Tomasz Nagas, DVM Warsaw University of Life Sciences, SGGW Selected vector-borne diseases – description and differentiation Authors: Natalia Jackowska, DVM (VetExpert), Tomasz Nalbert, DVM (Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Large Animal Diseases with Clinic, Warsaw University of Life Sciences) Tomasz Nagas, DVM (Division of Animal Reproduction, Department of Large Animal Diseases with Clinic, Warsaw University of Life Sciences) As a result of warming of the climate, Poland witnesses diseases that used to be associated with the warm Mediterranean climate only. The ever milder climate makes life of ticks and insects much easier. There are report from other countries (Germany, Austria) saying that dogs coming back from holidays were diagnosed with diseases not typical for their native country, namely ones brought from other countries (6). This means that when we take our four legged friends for holidays in warmer regions, we can bring back not only nice memories from there. Expansion of ticks and insects leads to the increase of cases of leishmaniosis, borreliosis (Lyme disease), ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis - diseases whose vectors are different types of insects and ticks, some of which might cause cross infection. Knowledge about intermediate hosts, vectors and diseases transmitted by them is very useful in everyday practice. Ticks belong to arachnids. In Poland there are about 20 species of ticks. The most common ones are Ixodes ricinus (the castor bean tick) and Dermacentor reticulatus, more rare ones being Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Ixodes hexagonus, Ixodes cerenulatus (14). In order to fully appreciate the threat posed by these arachnids it is good to review their physiology.
    [Show full text]
  • 12. the Role of Host Diversity in Borrelia Burgdorferi S.L. Dynamics
    12. The role of host diversity in Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. dynamics Tim R. Hofmeester Resource Ecology Group, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands; [email protected] Abstract There has been substantial debate about the influence of vertebrate host diversity on Lyme borreliosis risk. In North America, studies investigating Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. and the Black- legged tick (Ixodes scapularis) have shown that on a large spatial scale there seems to be a negative correlation between host species diversity and Lyme borreliosis risk. However, studies on this relationship in Europe are lacking. I discuss the work done in North America and translate the findings and assumptions of these studies to the European situation, where the sheep tick (Ixodes ricinus) is the most important vector of B. burgdorferi s.l. The European situation is fundamentally different compared to the North American situation due to the high diversity of B. burgdorferi s.l. genospecies, which are transmitted by different groups of vertebrate species. Disease risk in Europe is hypothesised to increase with vertebrate diversity due to an increase in B. burgdorferi s.l. genospecies diversity. However, it seems that the majority of genospecies in Europe is transmitted by two functional groups of host species, rodents and thrushes, which are present in most vertebrate assemblages. Therefore, it seems plausible that a dilution effect can also occur in Europe. This might result in high risk in urban areas where a few dominant species are very abundant, among which the most important reservoir hosts for B. burgdorferi s.l.
    [Show full text]
  • Arthropod Phylogeny Based on Eight Molecular Loci and Morphology
    letters to nature melanogaster (U37541), mosquito Anopheles quadrimaculatus (L04272), mosquito arthropods revealed by the expression pattern of Hox genes in a spider. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 95, Anopheles gambiae (L20934), med¯y Ceratitis capitata (CCA242872), Cochliomyia homi- 10665±10670 (1998). nivorax (AF260826), locust Locusta migratoria (X80245), honey bee Apis mellifera 24. Thompson, J. D., Higgins, D. G. & Gibson, T. J. CLUSTALW: Improving the sensitivity of progressive (L06178), brine shrimp Artemia franciscana (X69067), water ¯ea Daphnia pulex multiple sequence alignment through sequence weighting, position-speci®c gap penalties and weight (AF117817), shrimp Penaeus monodon (AF217843), hermit crab Pagurus longicarpus matrix choice. Nucleic Acids Res. 22, 4673±4680 (1994). (AF150756), horseshoe crab Limulus polyphemus (AF216203), tick Ixodes hexagonus 25. Foster, P. G. & Hickey, D. A. Compositional bias may affect both DNA-based and protein-based (AF081828), tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus (AF081829). For outgroup comparison, phylogenetic reconstructions. J. Mol. Evol. 48, 284±290 (1999). sequences were retrieved for the annelid Lumbricus terrestris (U24570), the mollusc 26. Castresana, J. Selection of conserved blocks from multiple alignments for their use in phylogenetic Katharina tunicata (U09810), the nematodes Caenorhabditis elegans (X54252), Ascaris analysis. Mol. Biol. Evol. 17, 540±552 (2000). suum (X54253), Trichinella spiralis (AF293969) and Onchocerca volvulus (AF015193), and 27. Muse, S. V. & Kosakovsky Pond, S. L. Hy-Phy 0.7 b (North Carolina State Univ., Raleigh, 2000). the vertebrate species Homo sapiens (J01415) and Xenopus laevis (M10217). Additional 28. Strimmer, K. & von Haeseler, A. Quartet puzzlingÐa quartet maximum-likelihood method for sequences were analysed for gene arrangements: Boophilus microplus (AF110613), Euhadra reconstructing tree topologies.
    [Show full text]