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Sousa ACP, Suzin A, da Silva Rodrigues V, Rezende LM, da Costa Maia R, Vieira RBK, Szabó MPJ. Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) and rickettsiae associated with wild boars in a rural area of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2024; 50:101016. [PMID: 38644046 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2024.101016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Wild boars or feral pigs are classified by the Brazilian Institute for the Environment and Renewable Resources (IBAMA) in "Category I of invasive exotic species". They cause economic losses, harm the environment, serve as hosts and reservoirs for several zoonotic disease agents, and provide a blood meal for tick species that act as vectors for zoonotic diseases. The objective of this study was to identify tick species on wild boars, assess host-seeking ticks in the related environment, and identify other potential tick hosts coexisting with wild boars on a farm located in the state of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil. Additionally, the study aimed to determine the presence of rickettsiae in these arthropods and assess the exposure of wild boars to rickettsiae species from the Spotted Fever Group and Rickettsia bellii through serology. A total of 3585 host-seeking ticks from three species (Amblyomma sculptum - 41.58%; Amblyomma dubitatum - 0.39% and Rhipicephalus microplus - 0.05%) were collected in the environment and A. sculptum was the most abundant species. Thirty-one wild boars were evaluated, resulting in the collection of 415 ticks, all of which were A. sculptum. Rickettsia DNA was not detected in samples of A. sculptum and R. microplus from the environment or in A. sculptum ticks from wild boars. However, all A. dubitatum ticks (n = 14) had Rickettsia bellii DNA confirmed by the species-specific PCR protocol. Out of the 31 serum samples from wild boars, 24 reacted with at least one Rickettsia antigen. Among these, seven individuals exhibited a reaction to a probable homologous antigen (PHA) of three rickettsiae species: R. rickettsii (n = 3), R. amblyommatis (n = 3) and R. rhipicephali (n = 1). Despite the high prevalence of seroreactivity, titers were low, indicating limited exposure to Rickettsia spp. Camera traps generated 874 animal records, capturing a total of 1688 individuals. At least 11 species of birds and 14 species of mammals (12 wild and two domestic) shared the environment with wild boars and potentially shared ticks with them. These findings provide baseline information for understanding the sharing of ticks and tick-borne pathogens between wild boars and other animals within the Cerrado biome. Further studies are necessary to monitor the potential and actual risk of wild boars to harbor infected ticks and their role in the transmission and maintenance cycle of Rickettsia spp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Carolina Prado Sousa
- Laboratório de Ixodologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Imunologia e Parasitologia Aplicadas, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Adriane Suzin
- Laboratório de Ixodologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Vinícius da Silva Rodrigues
- Laboratório de Ixodologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Imunologia e Parasitologia Aplicadas, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Laís Miguel Rezende
- Laboratório de Ixodologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo da Costa Maia
- Laboratório de Ixodologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Imunologia e Parasitologia Aplicadas, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Raíssa Brauner Kamla Vieira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Clínica e Reprodução Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Matias Pablo Juan Szabó
- Laboratório de Ixodologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Sohn-Hausner N, Kmetiuk LB, Paula WVDF, de Paula LGF, Krawczak FDS, Biondo AW. One Health Approach on Ehrlichia canis: Serosurvey of Owners and Dogs, Molecular Detection in Ticks, and Associated Risk Factors in Tick-Infested Households of Southern Brazil. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2024. [PMID: 38502822 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2023.0134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Ehrlichia canis has been the main hemopathogen affecting domestic dogs in Brazil. Even though tick-infested dogs may lead to household infestation and predispose human exposure and public health concern, no comprehensive study has surveyed humans, dogs, and environmental ticks altogether. Materials and Methods: Accordingly, the present study aimed to assess tick-infested households, identify tick species, perform serological (immunofluorescence assay) and molecular (PCR and q-PCR) detection of Ehrlichia in ticks, in the eighth biggest metropolitan area of Brazil. Results: Between 2007 and 2020, 233/5973 (3.9%) out of all complaints were from tick-infested households of 200 different addresses. Overall, 370/552 (67.0%) ticks were collected and identified as adult and 182/552 (33.0%) as immature forms of Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. complex; a single tick from one owner, a female tick of Amblyomma sculptum; and 395 ticks from dogs, 319/395 (80.8%) adult and 72/395 (18.2%) immature forms of Rhipicephalus spp., and 4/395 (1.01%) female Amblyomma aureolatum. Overall, 2/135 (1.5%) owners and 13/136 (9.6%) dogs were seropositive for E. canis. The DNA of Anaplasmataceae family was molecularly detected in 16/50 (32.0%) R. sanguineus s.l. As expected, the number of monthly tick infestation complaints were directly associated, and mean (p = 0.01), maximum (p = 0.011), and minimum (p = 0.008) temperature were statistically significant and had a low positive correlation (0.24, 0.23, and 0.24, respectively). In addition, complaints were highly associated to all socioeconomic variables (p < 0.001), with the exception of the presence of vacant lots. Conclusions: Despite low samplings and human negative results, areas with low-income with adequate temperature and urban agglomerations have been shown to be associated risks for tick infestations, predisposing tick-borne diseases. In conclusion, monitoring should always be conducted in such areas, including One Health approach with serosurvey of owners and dogs, along with identification and molecular screening of ticks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natacha Sohn-Hausner
- Graduate College of Cell and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Louise Bach Kmetiuk
- Graduate College of Cell and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Alexander Welker Biondo
- Graduate College of Cell and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
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Städele C. The black-legged tick Ixodes scapularis detects CO2 without the Haller's organ. J Exp Biol 2024; 227:jeb246874. [PMID: 38372197 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.246874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Both male and female ticks have a strong innate drive to find and blood-feed on hosts. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is considered a critical behavioral activator and attractant for ticks and an essential sensory cue to find hosts. Yet, how CO2 activates and promotes host seeking in ticks is poorly understood. CO2 responses were studied in the black-legged tick Ixodes scapularis, the primary vector for Lyme disease in North America. Adult males and females were exposed to 1%, 2%, 4% or 8% CO2, and changes in walking behavior and foreleg movement were analyzed. CO2 is a potent stimulant for adult I. scapularis, even at lower concentrations (1%). Behavioral reactions depended on the animal's state: walking ticks increased their walking speed, while stationary ticks started to wave their forelegs and began to quest - both behaviors resembling aspects of host seeking. Only in sporadic cases did stationary animals start to walk when exposed to CO2, supporting the hypothesis that CO2 acts as an activator rather than an attractant. Furthermore, I. scapularis did not show a clear concentration preference and was not tuned more robustly to breath-like CO2 concentrations (∼4%) than to the other concentrations tested. Moreover, convincing evidence is provided showing that the foreleg Haller's organ is not necessary for CO2 detection. Even with a disabled or amputated Haller's organ, I. scapularis responded robustly to CO2, signifying that there must be CO2-sensitive structures important for tick host seeking that have not yet been identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carola Städele
- Institute for Neuro- and Sensory Physiology; University of Göttingen Medical Center, Göttingen, Lower Saxony 37073, Germany
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Paludo RLDR, Paula WVDF, Neves LC, de Paula LGF, de Lima NJ, da Silva BBF, Pereira BG, Pádua GT, Dantas-Torres F, Labruna MB, Martins TF, Sponchiado J, de Sousa-Paula LC, Hannibal W, Krawczak FDS. Rickettsial Infection in Ticks from a National Park in the Cerrado Biome, Midwestern Brazil. Pathogens 2023; 13:13. [PMID: 38251322 PMCID: PMC10818336 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13010013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
This study was carried out from February 2020 to September 2021 in Parque Nacional das Emas (PNE), a national park located in the Cerrado biome, midwestern Brazil, as well as in surrounding rural properties. Serum and tick samples were collected from dogs, terrestrial small mammals, and humans. Ticks were also collected from the environment. Dogs were infested with Rhipicephalus linnaei adults, whereas small mammals were infested by immature stages of Amblyomma spp., Amblyomma triste, Amblyomma dubitatum, and Amblyomma coelebs. Ticks collected from vegetation belonged to several species of the genus Amblyomma, including A. coelebs, A. dubitatum, Amblyomma naponense, Amblyomma sculptum, and A. triste. Two Rickettsia species were molecularly detected in ticks: Rickettsia parkeri in A. triste from the vegetation and a Rickettsia sp. (designated Rickettsia sp. strain PNE) in A. sculptum and A. triste collected from lowland tapirs (Tapirus terrestris). Based on short gltA gene fragments, this rickettsial organism showed 99.7-100% to Rickettsia tillamookensis. Seroreactivity to Rickettsia antigens was detected in 21.9% of dogs, 15.4% of small mammals, and 23.5% of humans. The present study reveals the richness of ticks and demonstrates the circulation of rickettsial agents in one of the largest conservation units in the Cerrado biome in Brazil. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a rickettsial phylogenetically related to R. tillamookensis in Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Loren dos Reis Paludo
- Setor de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás—UFG, Goiânia 74690-900, Brazil; (R.L.d.R.P.); (W.V.d.F.P.); (L.C.N.); (L.G.F.d.P.); (N.J.d.L.); (B.B.F.d.S.); (B.G.P.); (G.T.P.)
- Centro Universitário de Mineiros—UNIFIMES, Mineiros 75833-130, Brazil
| | - Warley Vieira de Freitas Paula
- Setor de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás—UFG, Goiânia 74690-900, Brazil; (R.L.d.R.P.); (W.V.d.F.P.); (L.C.N.); (L.G.F.d.P.); (N.J.d.L.); (B.B.F.d.S.); (B.G.P.); (G.T.P.)
| | - Lucianne Cardoso Neves
- Setor de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás—UFG, Goiânia 74690-900, Brazil; (R.L.d.R.P.); (W.V.d.F.P.); (L.C.N.); (L.G.F.d.P.); (N.J.d.L.); (B.B.F.d.S.); (B.G.P.); (G.T.P.)
| | - Luiza Gabriella Ferreira de Paula
- Setor de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás—UFG, Goiânia 74690-900, Brazil; (R.L.d.R.P.); (W.V.d.F.P.); (L.C.N.); (L.G.F.d.P.); (N.J.d.L.); (B.B.F.d.S.); (B.G.P.); (G.T.P.)
| | - Nicolas Jalowitzki de Lima
- Setor de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás—UFG, Goiânia 74690-900, Brazil; (R.L.d.R.P.); (W.V.d.F.P.); (L.C.N.); (L.G.F.d.P.); (N.J.d.L.); (B.B.F.d.S.); (B.G.P.); (G.T.P.)
| | - Bianca Barbara Fonseca da Silva
- Setor de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás—UFG, Goiânia 74690-900, Brazil; (R.L.d.R.P.); (W.V.d.F.P.); (L.C.N.); (L.G.F.d.P.); (N.J.d.L.); (B.B.F.d.S.); (B.G.P.); (G.T.P.)
| | - Brenda Gomes Pereira
- Setor de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás—UFG, Goiânia 74690-900, Brazil; (R.L.d.R.P.); (W.V.d.F.P.); (L.C.N.); (L.G.F.d.P.); (N.J.d.L.); (B.B.F.d.S.); (B.G.P.); (G.T.P.)
| | - Gracielle Teles Pádua
- Setor de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás—UFG, Goiânia 74690-900, Brazil; (R.L.d.R.P.); (W.V.d.F.P.); (L.C.N.); (L.G.F.d.P.); (N.J.d.L.); (B.B.F.d.S.); (B.G.P.); (G.T.P.)
| | - Filipe Dantas-Torres
- Departamento de Imunologia, Instituto Ageu Magalhães—IAM, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Recife 50740-465, Brazil;
| | - Marcelo B. Labruna
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo—USP, São Paulo 05508-270, Brazil; (M.B.L.); (T.F.M.)
| | - Thiago Fernandes Martins
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo—USP, São Paulo 05508-270, Brazil; (M.B.L.); (T.F.M.)
- Instituto Pasteur, Área Técnica de Doenças Vinculadas a Vetores e Hospedeiros Intermediários, Secretaria de Estado da Saúde de São Paulo, São Paulo 01027-000, Brazil
| | - Jonas Sponchiado
- Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia Farroupilha, Campus Alegrete, Alegrete 97541-000, Brazil;
| | - Lucas Christian de Sousa-Paula
- Tick-Pathogen Transmission Unit, Laboratory of Bacteriology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA;
| | - Wellington Hannibal
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Biogeografia de Mamíferos, Universidade Estadual de Goiás—UEG, Quirinópolis 75860-000, Brazil;
| | - Felipe da Silva Krawczak
- Setor de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás—UFG, Goiânia 74690-900, Brazil; (R.L.d.R.P.); (W.V.d.F.P.); (L.C.N.); (L.G.F.d.P.); (N.J.d.L.); (B.B.F.d.S.); (B.G.P.); (G.T.P.)
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Nicaretta JE, de Melo Junior RD, Naves RB, de Morais IML, Salvador VF, Leal LLLL, Teixeira ALC, Ferreira LL, Klafke GM, Monteiro CMDO, Borges FDA, Costa Junior LM, Rodrigues DS, Lopes WDZ. Selective versus strategic control against Rhipicephalus microplus in cattle: A comparative analysis of efficacy, animal health, productivity, cost, and resistance management. Vet Parasitol 2023; 321:109999. [PMID: 37556962 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2023.109999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
This study compared selective control versus strategic control against Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, under conditions of a real dairy farm. Strategic control requires that all animals be treated with acaricide at regular pre-determined intervals. Selective control only requires treatment of infested animals and only when they are at or above a pre-determined threshold. Tick counts on animals and in pasture were performed and the susceptibility of tick populations to the different treatment methods was evaluated at the beginning and end of the study using the Larval Packet Test, Larval Immersion Test, and Adult Immersion Test. Over the four years of the study strategic control was more advantageous than the selective control as the group experienced lower tick burden on animals and in pasture, absence of skin lesions and myiases, lower operating costs, treatments concentrated in fewer months of the year and lower resistance pressure.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Eduardo Nicaretta
- Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | | | - Raphaela Barbosa Naves
- Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Lorena Lopes Ferreira
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Marcondes Klafke
- Instituto de Pesquisas Veterinárias Desidério Finamor - Centro de Pesquisa em Saúde Animal, Secretaria da Agricultura, Pecuária e Desenvolvimento Rural, Eldorado do Sul, RS, Brazil
| | - Caio Marcio de Oliveira Monteiro
- Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil; Departamento de Biociências e Tecnologia, Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Fernando de Almeida Borges
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | | | - Daniel Sobreira Rodrigues
- Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuária de Minas Gerais, Campo Experimental Santa Rita, Prudente de Morais, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Welber Daniel Zanetti Lopes
- Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil; Departamento de Biociências e Tecnologia, Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil.
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Krawczak FS, Binder LC, Gregori F, Martins TF, Pádua GT, Sponchiado J, Melo GL, Polo G, Labruna MB. ‘Candidatus Rickettsia andeanae’ and Probable Exclusion of Rickettsia parkeri in Ticks from Dogs in a Natural Area of the Pampa Biome in Brazil. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12030446. [PMID: 36986368 PMCID: PMC10054268 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12030446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Spotted fever illness caused by the tick-borne pathogen Rickettsia parkeri has emerged in the Pampa biome in southern Brazil, where the tick Amblyomma tigrinum is implicated as the main vector. Because domestic dogs are commonly parasitized by A. tigrinum, this canid is also a suitable sentinel for R. parkeri-associated spotted fever. Herein, we investigate rickettsial infection in ticks, domestic dogs and small mammals in a natural reserve of the Pampa biome in southern Brazil. The ticks A. tigrinum, Amblyomma aureolatum and Rhipicephalus sanguineus were collected from dogs. Molecular analyses of ticks did not detect R. parkeri; however, at least 34% (21/61) of the A. tigrinum ticks were infected by the non-pathogenic agent ‘Candidatus Rickettsia andeanae’. Serological analyses revealed that only 14% and 3% of 36 dogs and 34 small mammals, respectively, were exposed to rickettsial antigens. These results indicate that the study area is not endemic for R. parkeri rickettsiosis. We tabulated 10 studies that reported rickettsial infection in A. tigrinum populations from South America. There was a strong negative correlation between the infection rates by R. parkeri and ‘Candidatus R. andeanae’ in A. tigrinum populations. We propose that high infection rates by ‘Candidatus R. andeanae’ might promote the exclusion of R. parkeri from A. tigrinum populations. The mechanisms for such exclusion are yet to be elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe S. Krawczak
- Setor de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Rod. Goiânia—Nova Veneza, km 8, Campus Samambaia, Goiânia 74690-900, GO, Brazil
- Correspondence: (F.S.K.); (M.B.L.)
| | - Lina C. Binder
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo 05508-270, SP, Brazil
| | - Fábio Gregori
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo 05508-270, SP, Brazil
| | - Thiago F. Martins
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo 05508-270, SP, Brazil
| | - Gracielle T. Pádua
- Setor de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Rod. Goiânia—Nova Veneza, km 8, Campus Samambaia, Goiânia 74690-900, GO, Brazil
| | - Jonas Sponchiado
- Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia Farroupilha, Campus Alegrete, Alegrete 97541-000, RS, Brazil
| | - Geruza L. Melo
- Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia Farroupilha, Campus Alegrete, Alegrete 97541-000, RS, Brazil
| | - Gina Polo
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Fundación Universitaria San Martin, Bogotá 110110, DC, Colombia
| | - Marcelo B. Labruna
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo 05508-270, SP, Brazil
- Correspondence: (F.S.K.); (M.B.L.)
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7
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Krawczak FDS, Binder LC, Sobotyk C, Costa FB, Gregori F, Martins TF, Pádua GT, Sponchiado J, Melo GL, Polo G, Labruna MB. Rickettsial infection in ticks from a natural area of Atlantic Forest biome in southern Brazil. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2022; 88:371-386. [PMID: 36344862 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-022-00754-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
From June 2013 to January 2014, blood sera samples and ticks were collected from domestic dogs and wild small mammals, and ticks from the vegetation in a preservation area of the Atlantic Forest biome (Turvo State Park), and the rural area surrounding the Park in Derrubadas municipality, state of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil. Dogs were infested by Amblyomma ovale and Amblyomma aureolatum adult ticks, whereas small mammals were infested by immature stages of A. ovale, Amblyomma yucumense, Amblyomma brasiliense, Ixodes loricatus, and adults of I. loricatus. Ticks collected on vegetation were A. brasiliense, A. ovale, A. yucumense, Amblyomma incisum, and Haemaphysalis juxtakochi. Three Rickettsia species were molecularly detected in ticks: Rickettsia bellii in I. loricatus (also isolated through cell culture inoculation), Rickettsia amblyommatis in A. brasiliense, and Rickettsia rhipicephali in A. yucumense. The latter two are tick-rickettsia associations reported for the first time. Seroreactivity to Rickettsia antigens were detected in 33.5% (55/164) small mammals and 8.3% (3/36) canine sera. The present study reveals a richness of ticks and associated-rickettsiae in the largest Atlantic Forest Reserve of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, which is characterized by a rich fauna of wild mammals, typical of more preserved areas of this biome. Noteworthy, none of the detected Rickettsia species have been associated to human or animal diseases. This result contrasts to other areas of this biome in Brazil, which are endemic for tick-borne spotted fever caused by Rickettsia rickettsii or Rickettsia parkeri.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe da Silva Krawczak
- Setor de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Rod. Goiânia - Nova Veneza, km8, Campus Samambaia, 74690-900, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.
| | - Lina C Binder
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, Cidade Universitária, 05508-270, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Caroline Sobotyk
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 19104, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Francisco B Costa
- Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Estadual do Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brazil
| | - Fábio Gregori
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, Cidade Universitária, 05508-270, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Thiago F Martins
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, Cidade Universitária, 05508-270, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Gracielle T Pádua
- Setor de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Rod. Goiânia - Nova Veneza, km8, Campus Samambaia, 74690-900, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Jonas Sponchiado
- Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia Farroupilha, Campus Alegrete, Alegrete, RS, Brazil
| | - Geruza L Melo
- Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia Farroupilha, Campus Alegrete, Alegrete, RS, Brazil
| | - Gina Polo
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia. Fundación Universitaria San Martin, Bogotá DC, Colombia
| | - Marcelo B Labruna
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, Cidade Universitária, 05508-270, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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8
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Araújo IM, Cordeiro MD, Soares RFP, Guterres A, Sanavria A, Baêta BDA, da Fonseca AH. Survey of bacterial and protozoan agents in ticks and fleas found on wild animals in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2022; 13:102037. [PMID: 36270115 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.102037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
This study evaluates the presence of bacterial and protozoan agents in ticks and fleas found on wild animals in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. These ectoparasites were collected on mammal species Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris, Tapirus terrestris, Dicotyles tajacu, Didelphis aurita, Cuniculus paca, Cerdocyon thous, and Coendou prehensilis, and on the terrestrial bird Dromaius novaehollandiae. Ticks and fleas were identified morphologically using specific taxonomic keys. A total of 396 ticks and 54 fleas were tested via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the presence of Rickettsia spp., Borrelia spp., microorganisms of the order Piroplasmida and Anaplasmataceae family. This total is distributed among nine tick species of the genus Amblyomma and one flea species. Rickettsia bellii was detected in Amblyomma dubitatum and Amblyomma pacae; Rickettsia sp. strain AL was found in Amblyomma longirostre; Rickettsia parkeri strain Atlantic rainforest was found in Amblyomma ovale; and "Candidatus Rickettsia senegalensis" and Rickettsia felis were detected in Ctenocephalides felis felis. Wolbachia sp. was detected in C. f. felis, and Borrelia sp. was detected in Amblyomma calcaratum (here named Borrelia sp. strain Acalc110). All tested samples were negative for Ehrlichia spp. and microorganisms of the Piroplasmida order. This study detected a new bacterial strain, Borrelia sp. strain Acalc 110 (which is genetically close to B. miyamotoi and B. venezuelensis) and the Rickettsia sp. strain 19P, which is 100% similar to "Ca. R. senegalensis", a bacterium recently discovered and now being reported for the first time in Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izabela Mesquita Araújo
- Post-Graduate Program in Veterinary Sciences, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, UFRRJ, Br 465, km 7, Highway BR 465, Km 7,5. Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro CEP: 23897-000, Brazil
| | - Matheus Dias Cordeiro
- Post-Graduate Program in Practice in Sustainable Development, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, UFRRJ, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rubens Fabiano Prado Soares
- Post-Graduate Program in Veterinary Sciences, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, UFRRJ, Br 465, km 7, Highway BR 465, Km 7,5. Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro CEP: 23897-000, Brazil
| | - Alexandro Guterres
- Laboratório de Hantaviroses e Rickettsioses, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz - Avenida Brasil, Rio de Janeiro 4365, Brazil
| | - Argemiro Sanavria
- Post-Graduate Program in Veterinary Sciences, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, UFRRJ, Br 465, km 7, Highway BR 465, Km 7,5. Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro CEP: 23897-000, Brazil
| | - Bruna de Azevedo Baêta
- Post-Graduate Program in Veterinary Sciences, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, UFRRJ, Br 465, km 7, Highway BR 465, Km 7,5. Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro CEP: 23897-000, Brazil
| | - Adivaldo Henrique da Fonseca
- Post-Graduate Program in Veterinary Sciences, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, UFRRJ, Br 465, km 7, Highway BR 465, Km 7,5. Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro CEP: 23897-000, Brazil.
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9
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de Paula LGF, do Nascimento RM, Franco ADO, Szabó MPJ, Labruna MB, Monteiro C, Krawczak FDS. Seasonal dynamics of Amblyomma sculptum: a review. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:193. [PMID: 35668507 PMCID: PMC9169286 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05311-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amblyomma sculptum is a hard tick that is associated with domestic animals and the transmission of Brazilian spotted fever. This association has motivated several field studies on this ixodid tick within its distribution area in South America. Thorough knowledge of the seasonal dynamics of A. sculptum in different ecological scenarios is required in order to better understand the biological characteristics of this tick and develop techniques for the control and prevention of diseases transmitted by this vector. In this article, we systematically review the seasonal dynamics of A. sculptum and tick collection methodology. METHODS A systematic search of the Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed and Scielo databases was carried out for articles (including dissertations and theses) on the population dynamics of A. sculptum. The inclusion criterion was the report of seasonal dynamic studies on A. sculptum through surveys carried out for at least 1 year with, as methodology, tick collection in the environment and/or tick count/collection on A. sculptum primary hosts (horses or capybaras). Studies carried out before the reclassification of Amblyomma cajennense sensu lato in 2014, which referred to Amblyomma cajennense in areas where it is currently known that only A. sculptum occurs, were also included. Articles meeting the inclusion criterion, but not available in online databases, were also added based on the authors' experience on the subject. Sixteen articles and one thesis were selected for inclusion in this systematic review. RESULTS Most of the studies were carried out in the southeastern region of Brazil, with a few also carried out in the northeast, center-west and south of Brazil and northwest of Argentina. Five techniques/methods were applied across these studies: CO2 traps, dragging, flagging, visual searches and tick counting on animals, used alone or in combination. CONCLUSION Seasonal dynamics of A. sculptum was found to be similar in almost all of the areas studied, with larvae predominating during the autumn, nymphs in the winter and adults in the spring and summer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiza Gabriella Ferreira de Paula
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência Animal, Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG), Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia, Goiânia, Goiás, 74690-900, Brazil
| | - Rafael Moreira do Nascimento
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, 23890-000, Brazil
| | - Artur de Oliveira Franco
- Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, 74.605-050, Brazil
| | - Matias Pablo Juan Szabó
- Laboratório de Ixodologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Bahia Labruna
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Caio Monteiro
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência Animal, Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG), Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia, Goiânia, Goiás, 74690-900, Brazil.,Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, 74.605-050, Brazil
| | - Felipe da Silva Krawczak
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência Animal, Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG), Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia, Goiânia, Goiás, 74690-900, Brazil. .,Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia, Goiânia, Goiás, 74.690-900, Brazil.
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10
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Prado RFS, Araújo IM, Cordeiro MD, Baêta BDA, da Silva JB, da Fonseca AH. Diversity of tick species (Acari: Ixodidae) in military training areas in Southeastern Brazil. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA = BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY : ORGAO OFICIAL DO COLEGIO BRASILEIRO DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA 2022; 31:e001322. [PMID: 35648978 PMCID: PMC9901875 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612022027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Tick-borne pathogens belong to one of the two main groups of occupational biohazards, and occupational exposure to such agents puts soldiers at risk of zoonotic infections, such as those caused by rickettsiae. There are few studies on acarological fauna and occupational risk in military areas in Brazil. Thus, the present study aimed to analyze the diversity of ticks present in the military training areas of municipalities in the Southeast Region of Brazil. The ticks were collected from the selected areas using the dragging and flagging techniques as well as by visual detection on the operators' clothing, and environmental information was also recorded. A total of ten species were collected from the 66 surveyed areas, belonging to five genera and nine species: Amblyomma sculptum, Amblyomma dubitatum, Amblyomma brasiliense, Amblyomma longirostre, Amblyomma aureolatum, Dermacentor nitens, Rhipicephalus spp., Ixodes spp. and Haemaphysalis spp. The frequent presence of tick species in military training areas along with traces and sightings of wild animals, most commonly capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), in most of the studied areas, indicates high levels of exposure of the military to tick vectors of spotted fever group rickettsiae and the possible occurrence of infections among the troops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rubens Fabiano Soares Prado
- Hospital Veterinário, Academia Militar das Agulhas Negras – AMAN, Resende, RJ, Brasil
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro – UFRRJ, Seropédica, RJ Brasil
| | - Izabela Mesquita Araújo
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro – UFRRJ, Seropédica, RJ Brasil
| | - Matheus Dias Cordeiro
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro – UFRRJ, Seropédica, RJ Brasil
| | - Bruna de Azevedo Baêta
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro – UFRRJ, Seropédica, RJ Brasil
| | - Jenevaldo Barbosa da Silva
- Instituto de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri – UFVJM, Unaí, MG, Brasil
| | - Adivaldo Henrique da Fonseca
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro – UFRRJ, Seropédica, RJ Brasil
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11
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Forero-Becerra E, Acosta A, Benavides E, Martínez-Díaz HC, Hidalgo M. Amblyomma mixtum free-living stages: Inferences on dry and wet seasons use, preference, and niche width in an agroecosystem (Yopal, Casanare, Colombia). PLoS One 2022; 17:e0245109. [PMID: 35385470 PMCID: PMC8986011 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0245109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The formulation of effective control strategies for any pest species generally involves the study of habitat use and preference and niche width in anthropogenically transformed natural landscapes. We evaluated whether the use, habitat preference, and niche range of the Amblyomma mixtum tick changed between stages, habitats, and seasonality (dry-wet seasons 2019) on a farm in Yopal (Casanare, Colombia). The presence and relative abundance of free-living larvae, nymphs, and adults was quantified in four different habitats according to the type of vegetation cover (Riparian Forest, Cocoa Crop, King Grass Crop, and Star Grass Paddock). Habitat availability was estimated, environmental variables were analyzed, and various indices of habitat use and preference, and niche width were calculated. A. mixtum's habitat use and preference, and niche width changed between stages, habitat types, and time of the year. The total abundance of A. mixtum was an order of magnitude greater in the dry season than the wet season. In the dry season, all stages used all habitats, while A. mixtum adults used all the habitats in both seasons. In the dry season, nymphs and larvae preferred three out of the four habitats, while adults preferred the King Grass Crop. In the wet season, nymphs and larvae preferred two habitats, whereas the adults preferred the King Grass Crop. The value of the niche width index was high for larvae, nymphs, and adults in the dry season, while it was high only for adults in the wet season. Thus, A. mixtum's vast environmental tolerance and niche breadth allows the species to use and colonize changing habitats (unstable or temporary) with fluctuating environmental conditions (e.g., King Grass Crop), potentially keeping a stable population over time and making it an extremely resistant species. However, the wet flooding season in Yopal may exceed A. mixtum's stages' tolerances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elkin Forero-Becerra
- Faculty of Sciences, Departament of Microbiology, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, D.C., Colombia
| | - Alberto Acosta
- Faculty of Sciences, Departament de Biology, UNESIS (Unidad de Ecología y Sistemática), Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, D.C., Colombia
| | - Efraín Benavides
- Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Grupo de Investigación Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Universidad de La Salle, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Heidy-C. Martínez-Díaz
- Faculty of Sciences, Laboratorio de Bacteriología Especial, Departament of Microbiology, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, D.C., Colombia
| | - Marylin Hidalgo
- Faculty of Sciences, Laboratorio de Bacteriología Especial, Departament of Microbiology, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, D.C., Colombia
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12
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Kaisin O, Rocha FC, Amaral RG, Bufalo F, Sabino GP, Culot L. A universal pharmacy: Possible self‐medication using tree balsam by multiple Atlantic Forest mammals. Biotropica 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/btp.13095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Kaisin
- Research Unit SPHERES University of Liège (Uliège) Arlon Belgium
- Departamento de Biodiversidade Laboratório de Primatologia São Paulo State University (UNESP) Rio Claro Brazil
- Programa de PósGraduaçãoem Ecologia Evolução e Biodiversidade São Paulo State University (UNESP) Rio Claro Brazil
| | - Fernanda Corrêa Rocha
- Laboratório de PatologiaVeterinária University of Brasília (UnB) Distrito Federal Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Gonçalves Amaral
- Departamento de Biodiversidade Laboratório de Primatologia São Paulo State University (UNESP) Rio Claro Brazil
- Programa de PósGraduaçãoem Ecologia Evolução e Biodiversidade São Paulo State University (UNESP) Rio Claro Brazil
| | - Felipe Bufalo
- Departamento de Biodiversidade Laboratório de Primatologia São Paulo State University (UNESP) Rio Claro Brazil
- Programa de PósGraduaçãoem Ecologia Evolução e Biodiversidade São Paulo State University (UNESP) Rio Claro Brazil
| | | | - Laurence Culot
- Departamento de Biodiversidade Laboratório de Primatologia São Paulo State University (UNESP) Rio Claro Brazil
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13
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Soares LA, Fiorini LC, Duarte FC, Almeida IBD, Sampaio PHS, Romano DMDM, Mendes MC. Investigation of the parasitoid Ixodiphagus hookeri (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) in Amblyomma sculptum (Acari: Ixodidae) ticks in the municipality of Salto, São Paulo, Brazil. ARQUIVOS DO INSTITUTO BIOLÓGICO 2022. [DOI: 10.1590/1808-1657000112022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
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14
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Vale L, de Paula LGF, Vieira MS, Alves SDGA, Junior NRDM, Gomes MDF, Teixeira WFP, Rizzo PV, Freitas FMC, Ferreira LL, Lopes WDZ, Monteiro C. Binary combinations of thymol, carvacrol and eugenol for Amblyomma sculptum control: Evaluation of in vitro synergism and effectiveness under semi-field conditions. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2021; 12:101816. [PMID: 34555713 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Revised: 08/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the in vitro acaricidal effect of thymol, carvacrol and eugenol (binary combinations) and their synergistic effect on unfed larvae and nymphs of Amblyomma sculptum, estimate the cost to prepare a formulation with these compounds, and evaluate the formulations under semi-field conditions against A. sculptum larvae. To evaluate the acaricidal effect of the compounds alone or their binary combinations (1:1 ratio) the larval packet test was performed using six concentrations (0.3125 to 10.0 mg/mL) for larvae and seven concentrations (2.5 to 20.0 mg/mL) for nymphs. The cost to produce 1 L of thymol, carvacrol and eugenol solutions, combined or alone, was estimated. In the semi-field test, formulations were sprayed on Panicum maximum plots experimentally infested with unfed A. sculptum larvae. In the in vitro tests with larvae, a synergistic effect (synergism and moderate synergism) was observed for thymol + eugenol at all concentrations tested, while thymol + carvacrol and eugenol + carvacrol showed a synergistic effect at the concentration of 5.0 mg/mL. In the in vitro tests with nymphs, thymol + eugenol, thymol + carvacrol and carvacrol + eugenol showed a synergistic effect (synergism and moderate synergism) at a concentration of 5.0 mg/mL and higher. Combining the compounds reduced the concentrations required to obtain mortality rate above 95%, resulting in lower costs. Under semi-field conditions, the treatments with thymol + eugenol and carvacrol + eugenol showed efficacies of 63.2% and 42.6%, respectively. We conclude that, depending on the concentrations, the binary combinations of thymol, carvacrol and eugenol have a synergistic acaricidal effect on unfed A. sculptum larvae and nymphs, and under semi-field conditions the associations between thymol + eugenol and carvacrol + eugenol were effective against A. sculptum larvae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letícia Vale
- Post-graduate program in Animal Science, Federal University of Goiás (UFG). Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia, Goiânia, Goiás, 74.690-900 Brazil
| | - Luiza Gabriella Ferreira de Paula
- Post-graduate program in Animal Science, Federal University of Goiás (UFG). Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia, Goiânia, Goiás, 74.690-900 Brazil
| | - Mirna Secchis Vieira
- Post-graduate program in Animal Science, Federal University of Goiás (UFG). Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia, Goiânia, Goiás, 74.690-900 Brazil
| | - Susy das Graças Alecrim Alves
- Graduation in veterinary medicine in Federal University of Goiás (UFG). Avenida Esperança- s/n, Campus Samambaia, Goiânia, Goiás, 74690-900 Brazil
| | - Nélio Roberto de Moraes Junior
- Post-graduate program in Animal Science, Federal University of Goiás (UFG). Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia, Goiânia, Goiás, 74.690-900 Brazil
| | - Marcos Daniel Filgueiras Gomes
- Post-graduate program in Animal Science, Federal University of Goiás (UFG). Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia, Goiânia, Goiás, 74.690-900 Brazil
| | - Weslen Fabrício Pires Teixeira
- Post-graduate program in Animal Science, Federal University of Goiás (UFG). Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia, Goiânia, Goiás, 74.690-900 Brazil
| | - Pricila Vetrano Rizzo
- Núcleo de Apoio à Transferência de Tecnologia da Embrapa Gado de Leite no Centro-Oeste - Embrapa Arroz e Feijão - Rodovia GO 462, Km 12, Zona Rural - Santo Antônio de Goiás - GO - CEP: 75.375-000
| | - Fernanda Mara Cunha Freitas
- Núcleo de Apoio à Transferência de Tecnologia da Embrapa Gado de Leite no Centro-Oeste - Embrapa Arroz e Feijão - Rodovia GO 462, Km 12, Zona Rural - Santo Antônio de Goiás - GO - CEP: 75.375-000
| | - Lorena Lopes Ferreira
- Veterinary School, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG). Avenida Presidente Antônio Carlos, 6627, Campus Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 31270-901 Brazil
| | - Welber Daniel Zanetti Lopes
- Post-graduate program in Animal Science, Federal University of Goiás (UFG). Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia, Goiânia, Goiás, 74.690-900 Brazil; Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás (UFG). Rua 235, s/n, Setor Universitário, Goiânia, Goiás, 74605-050 Brazil
| | - Caio Monteiro
- Post-graduate program in Animal Science, Federal University of Goiás (UFG). Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia, Goiânia, Goiás, 74.690-900 Brazil; Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás (UFG). Rua 235, s/n, Setor Universitário, Goiânia, Goiás, 74605-050 Brazil.
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15
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Machado Y, Acosta ICL, Martins TF, Srbek-Araujo AC. Parasitism by Amblyomma humerale (Acari: Ixodidae) on Chelonoidis denticulatus (Testudines: Testudinidae) in the Atlantic Forest. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 30:e002921. [PMID: 34037189 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612021044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The present study reports on patterns of parasitism by Amblyomma humerale on yellow-footed tortoise, Chelonoidis denticulatus, in the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil. The tortoises were sampled occasionally, from July 2005 to January 2020. We collected 81 adult ticks from seven tortoises (mean = 11.57 ± 6.90 ticks/host), of which 72 were males (88.9%) and nine females (11.1%), resulting in an 8:1 sex ratio (males:females). Males were found in clusters, attached to the carapace. Females occurred mainly isolated, attached to coriaceous integumental areas (n = 7; 77.8%), especially the engorged females (100%). We suggest that the difference between attachment sites is a strategy used by fertilized females to avoid mechanical removal from their host through friction with elements of the environment. Because they undergo a considerable increase of volume when engorged, they move to more sheltered places on their host's surface. The parasitism patterns by A. humerale on C. denticulatus were compatible with those observed in the Amazon region and in the Cerrado-Amazonia transition. The present work provides information about the life history and host-parasite interface of the two species and contributes to understanding the parasitism patterns by A. humerale on C. denticulatus in the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ygor Machado
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciência Animal, Universidade Vila Velha - UVV, Vila Velha, ES, Brasil
| | - Igor Cunha Lima Acosta
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Thiago Fernandes Martins
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Ana Carolina Srbek-Araujo
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciência Animal, Universidade Vila Velha - UVV, Vila Velha, ES, Brasil.,Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia de Ecossistemas, Universidade Vila Velha - UVV, Vila Velha, ES, Brasil.,Instituto SerraDiCal de Pesquisa e Conservação, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
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de Paula LGF, Zeringóta V, Sampaio ALN, Bezerra GP, Barreto ALG, Dos Santos AA, Miranda VC, Paula WVDF, Neves LC, Secchis MV, Alves SDGA, Sevá ADP, Borges LMF, Monteiro C, Dantas-Torres F, Krawczak FDS. Seasonal dynamics of Amblyomma sculptum in two areas of the Cerrado biome midwestern Brazil, where human cases of rickettsiosis have been reported. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2021; 84:215-225. [PMID: 33860867 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-021-00615-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Amblyomma sculptum is a common human-biting tick in Brazil, where it plays an important role as a vector of Rickettsia rickettsii, the agent of the Brazilian spotted fever. Herein, we studied the seasonal dynamics of A. sculptum in an urban area of the Cerrado biome in midwestern Brazil, where human rickettsiosis is endemic. Ticks were collected in two sites located within the campus of Federal University of Goiás. The collections were done by dragging, flagging and visual search. In total, 117,685 ticks were collected, including 100,627 Amblyomma spp. larvae, 10,055 nymphs and 6977 adults of A. sculptum, and one nymph and 25 adults of Amblyomma dubitatum. The highest peak of larvae occurred in June 2018 and in July 2019, whereas nymphs peaked in July 2018 and September 2019. Adults reached their highest numbers in March 2018 and November 2019. These data suggest that A. sculptum develops one generation per year in this urban area of the Cerrado biome in midwestern Brazil. Interestingly, the peak of nymphs occurred during the same period of all confirmed cases of rickettsiosis in Goiás, suggesting a possible relationship between the seasonal dynamics of this tick stage and rickettsiosis transmission in this state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiza Gabriella Ferreira de Paula
- Post-graduation Program in Animal Science, Federal University of Goiás (UFG), Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia74.690-900, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Viviane Zeringóta
- Post-graduation Program in Animal Science, Federal University of Goiás (UFG), Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia74.690-900, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Aparecida Lorrany Nunes Sampaio
- Undergraduation in Veterinary Medicine at Federal, University of Goiás, Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia74.690-900, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Giovana Pereira Bezerra
- Undergraduation in Biological Science at Federal University of Goiás, Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia, Goiânia, Goiás, 74.690-900, Brazil
| | - Ana Laura Gonçalves Barreto
- Undergraduation in Veterinary Medicine at Federal, University of Goiás, Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia74.690-900, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Andreza Alves Dos Santos
- Undergraduation in Veterinary Medicine at Federal, University of Goiás, Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia74.690-900, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Carvalho Miranda
- Undergraduation in Veterinary Medicine at Federal, University of Goiás, Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia74.690-900, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Warley Vieira de Freitas Paula
- Post-graduation Program in Animal Science, Federal University of Goiás (UFG), Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia74.690-900, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Lucianne Cardoso Neves
- Post-graduation Program in Animal Science, Federal University of Goiás (UFG), Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia74.690-900, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Mirna Vieira Secchis
- Post-graduation Program in Animal Science, Federal University of Goiás (UFG), Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia74.690-900, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Susy das Graças Alecrim Alves
- Undergraduation in Veterinary Medicine at Federal, University of Goiás, Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia74.690-900, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Anaiá da Paixão Sevá
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Santa Cruz State University (UESC), Rodovia Jorge Amado, km1645.662-900, Ilhéus, Bahia, Salobrinho, Brasil
| | - Lígia Miranda Ferreira Borges
- Post-graduation Program in Animal Science, Federal University of Goiás (UFG), Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia74.690-900, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
- Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás, Setor Universitário, Rua 235, s/n, Goiânia, Goiás, 74605-050, Brazil
| | - Caio Monteiro
- Post-graduation Program in Animal Science, Federal University of Goiás (UFG), Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia74.690-900, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
- Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás, Setor Universitário, Rua 235, s/n, Goiânia, Goiás, 74605-050, Brazil
| | - Filipe Dantas-Torres
- Department of Immunology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute - IAM, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Felipe da Silva Krawczak
- Post-graduation Program in Animal Science, Federal University of Goiás (UFG), Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia74.690-900, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil.
- Veterinary and Animal Science School at the Federal University of Goiás, Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia74.690-900, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil.
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da Costa IN, de Abreu Rangel Aguirre A, de Paulo PFM, de Souza Rodrigues MM, da Silva Rodrigues V, Suzin A, Szabó MPJ, Andreotti R, Medeiros JF, Garcia MV. Diversity of free-living ticks and serological evidence of spotted fever group Rickettsia and ticks associated to dogs, Porto Velho, Western Amazon, Brazil. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2021; 83:555-573. [PMID: 33779896 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-021-00604-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Rondônia is the only state in the North Region of Brazil to have registered confirmed cases of Brazilian Spotted Fever (BSF). The present study investigated the epidemiological cycle of Rickettsia spp. by surveying free-living ixodofauna and tick parasitism of dogs in the municipality of Porto Velho, Rondônia State. Ticks and dogs were tested for the presence of Rickettsia spp. DNA and dog serum was tested for reactivity to anti-Rickettsia spp. antibodies. Tick collection and dog blood sampling were performed in peri-urban and rural environments at 11 locations. Eight free-living Amblyomma species and one Haemaphysalis species were collected: A. scalpturatum, A. naponense, A. oblongoguttatum, A. coelebs, A. latepunctatum, A. pacae, A. ovale, Amblyomma sp., and H. juxtakochi. Three tick species were found parasitizing dogs: Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato, A. oblongoguttatum and A. ovale. Molecular analysis did not identify the presence of the gltA gene fragment in any tick specimen. Results from an indirect immunofluorescent assay (IFA) showed that 20.8% of peri-urban and 15.4% of rural dog sera exhibited reactivity to Rickettsia rhipicephali, Rickettsia amblyommatis, Rickettsia bellii and Rickettsia parkeri antigens. Antibody prevalence in dogs was 16.4%. This study is the first to describe the prevalence of Rickettsia spp. infection in dogs from Porto Velho municipality. Our findings enhance current knowledge of Rickettsia spp. circulation in the Western Amazon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivaneide Nunes da Costa
- Laboratório de Entomologia, Fiocruz Rondônia, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Experimental, Universidade Federal de Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Vinícius da Silva Rodrigues
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Imunologia e Parasitologia Aplicadas-Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Adriane Suzin
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Imunologia e Parasitologia Aplicadas-Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Matías Pablo Juan Szabó
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Imunologia e Parasitologia Aplicadas-Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Renato Andreotti
- Laboratórios de Biologia e Biologia Molecular do Carrapato, Embrapa Gado de Corte, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | | | - Marcos Valério Garcia
- Bolsista Fundapam/Laboratório de Biologia do Carrapato, Embrapa Gado de Corte, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
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Gillingham EL, Cull B, Pietzsch ME, Phipps LP, Medlock JM, Hansford K. The Unexpected Holiday Souvenir: The Public Health Risk to UK Travellers from Ticks Acquired Overseas. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:E7957. [PMID: 33138220 PMCID: PMC7663673 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17217957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Overseas travel to regions where ticks are found can increase travellers' exposure to ticks and pathogens that may be unfamiliar to medical professionals in their home countries. Previous studies have detailed non-native tick species removed from recently returned travellers, occasionally leading to travel-associated human cases of exotic tick-borne disease. There are 20 species of tick endemic to the UK, yet UK travellers can be exposed to many other non-native species whilst overseas. Here, we report ticks received by Public Health England's Tick Surveillance Scheme from humans with recent travel history between January 2006 and December 2018. Altogether, 16 tick species were received from people who had recently travelled overseas. Confirmed imports (acquired outside of the UK) were received from people who recently travelled to 22 countries. Possible imports (acquired abroad or within the UK) were received from people who had recently travelled to eight European countries. Species-specific literature reviews highlighted nine of the sixteen tick species are known to vector at least one tick-borne pathogen to humans in the country of acquisition, suggesting travellers exposed to ticks may be at risk of being bitten by a species that is a known vector, with implications for novel tick-borne disease transmission to travellers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma L. Gillingham
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology, Emergency Response Department, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK; (B.C.); (M.E.P.); (J.M.M.); (K.H.)
| | - Benjamin Cull
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology, Emergency Response Department, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK; (B.C.); (M.E.P.); (J.M.M.); (K.H.)
| | - Maaike E. Pietzsch
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology, Emergency Response Department, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK; (B.C.); (M.E.P.); (J.M.M.); (K.H.)
| | - L. Paul Phipps
- Wildlife Zoonoses and Vector-Borne Research Group, Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK;
| | - Jolyon M. Medlock
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology, Emergency Response Department, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK; (B.C.); (M.E.P.); (J.M.M.); (K.H.)
| | - Kayleigh Hansford
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology, Emergency Response Department, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK; (B.C.); (M.E.P.); (J.M.M.); (K.H.)
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19
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Natividade UA, Pimenta AP, Cezar RSM, Pereira MH, Gontijo NF, Sant'Anna MRV, Pessoa GD, Koerich LB, Araujo RN. Locomotion activity and its effects on the survival of Amblyomma sculptum (Acari: Ixodidae) nymphs under laboratory conditions. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2020; 12:101562. [PMID: 33011439 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The active locomotion of ticks is directly associated with the epidemiology of tick-borne diseases, as it has important implications for the interaction of ticks with their hosts and their dispersion in the environment. In an attempt to elucidate the factors involved in the dispersion of Amblyomma sculptum, the present work aimed to characterize different aspects of the active locomotion of A. sculptum nymphs under laboratory conditions. To this end, nymphs were placed on a string at a 70° inclination and their walking activity was recorded daily along with their survival period. During their lifetime, ticks walked an average of 110 m. Their locomotion was not in a straight line and nymphs changed direction 142 times throughout their lifetimes. The mean distance walked per experimental day was 1.8 m, while the average walking distance before changing direction was 52 cm. The distance walked per experimental day reduced over time. The survival of ticks was affected by walking; resting nymphs survived for over 6 months, while the survival of those that walked daily was reduced to approximately 62 days. The results showed that A. sculptum nymphs were able to cover distances of over 100 m throughout their lifetimes, but they walked short distances at a time and constantly changed direction. This behavior indicates that ticks are not able to disperse over long distances by means of active locomotion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulisses A Natividade
- Physiology of Hematophagous Insects Laboratory, Parasitology Department, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Angelita P Pimenta
- Physiology of Hematophagous Insects Laboratory, Parasitology Department, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Rodolfo S M Cezar
- Physiology of Hematophagous Insects Laboratory, Parasitology Department, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Marcos H Pereira
- Physiology of Hematophagous Insects Laboratory, Parasitology Department, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Nelder F Gontijo
- Physiology of Hematophagous Insects Laboratory, Parasitology Department, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Mauricio R V Sant'Anna
- Physiology of Hematophagous Insects Laboratory, Parasitology Department, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Grasielle D Pessoa
- Physiology of Hematophagous Insects Laboratory, Parasitology Department, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Leonardo B Koerich
- Physiology of Hematophagous Insects Laboratory, Parasitology Department, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Ricardo N Araujo
- Physiology of Hematophagous Insects Laboratory, Parasitology Department, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
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20
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Higa LDOS, Csordas BG, Garcia MV, Oshiro LM, Duarte PO, Barros JC, Andreotti R. Spotted fever group Rickettsia and Borrelia sp. cooccurrence in Amblyomma sculptum in the Midwest region of Brazil. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2020; 81:441-455. [PMID: 32572671 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-020-00513-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
More than 70 tick species are found in Brazil, distributed over five genera and including main vectors of infectious disease agents affecting both animals and humans. The genus Amblyomma is the most relevant for public health in Brazil, wherein Amblyomma aureolatum, Amblyomma ovale and Amblyomma sculptum have been incriminated as vectors of Rickettsia and Borrelia pathogens. The objective of this study was to investigate the presence of Rickettsia spp. and Borrelia spp. in ticks in the Brazilian mid-western savannah. DNA extraction, PCR for Borrelia spp. (flgE gene) and Rickettsia spp. (ompA and gltA genes) and subsequent sequencing were performed. A total of 1875 ticks were collected and identified as A. sculptum except for two Amblyomma coelebs ticks. Molecular evidence for Borrelia spp. and Rickettsia parkeri was found in A. sculptum. This is the first molecular evidence for R. parkeri in A. sculptum ticks in the Midwest region and Borrelia spp. circulating in a tick of the Amblyomma genus in Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leandro de Oliveira Souza Higa
- Pós-Graduação em Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias-Faculdade de Medicina, UFMS - Univ. Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Laboratório de Biologia do carrapato, Embrapa Gado de Corte, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Bárbara Guimarães Csordas
- Laboratório de Biologia do Carrapato, Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, Embrapa Gado de Corte, Bolsista FUNDAPAM, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Marcos Valério Garcia
- Laboratório de Biologia do Carrapato, Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, Embrapa Gado de Corte, Bolsista FUNDAPAM, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Leandra Marla Oshiro
- Laboratório de Biologia do Carrapato, Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, Embrapa Gado de Corte, Bolsista FUNDAPAM, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Pâmella Oliveira Duarte
- Pós-Graduação em Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias-Faculdade de Medicina, UFMS - Univ. Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Laboratório de Biologia do carrapato, Embrapa Gado de Corte, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | | | - Renato Andreotti
- Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, Embrapa Gado de Corte, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil.
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21
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Nicaretta JE, Dos Santos JB, Couto LFM, Heller LM, Cruvinel LB, de Melo Júnior RD, de Assis Cavalcante AS, Zapa DMB, Ferreira LL, de Oliveira Monteiro CM, Soares VE, Lopes WDZ. Evaluation of rotational grazing as a control strategy for Rhipicephalus microplus in a tropical region. Res Vet Sci 2020; 131:92-97. [PMID: 32325299 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2020.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2019] [Revised: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Rhipicephalus microplus is the most significant tick of livestock and its control is particularly challenging due to its resistance to commercial acaricides. Pasture rotation is considered a management strategy that could help control R. microplus, however, the literature only contemplates mathematical models and little is known about the effects of this practice in the field. The objective of this work was to determine whether pasture rotation is an efficient method for controlling R. microplus. Two different experiments were performed that involved groups of continuous and rotational grazing bovines. Female ticks measuring 4.5-8.0 mm were counted on animals while larvae in pasture were counted using the flannel drag technique. Treatment for infested bovines was applied when the average group tick count was ≥30 females. The results showed that rotational grazing (with 20-day periods of rest) had a higher tick count on-host than continuous grazing (P < 0.05) and additional bovine treatment was needed. Sixty and 105 days were needed to re-infest and disinfest pasture of R. microplus larvae, respectively. The first treatment of bovines occurred 91 days after the animals were placed in a closed area. The results indicate that rotational grazing is not an efficient way to control R. microplus.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Eduardo Nicaretta
- Centro de Parasitologia Veterinária, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Jordana Belos Dos Santos
- Centro de Parasitologia Veterinária, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Luiz Fellipe Monteiro Couto
- Centro de Parasitologia Veterinária, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Luciana Maffini Heller
- Centro de Parasitologia Veterinária, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Bueno Cruvinel
- Centro de Parasitologia Veterinária, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Rubens Dias de Melo Júnior
- Centro de Parasitologia Veterinária, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | | | - Dina María Beltrán Zapa
- Centro de Parasitologia Veterinária, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Lorena Lopes Ferreira
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Caio Márcio de Oliveira Monteiro
- Centro de Parasitologia Veterinária, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil; Departamento de Biociências e Tecnologia, Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | | | - Welber Daniel Zanetti Lopes
- Centro de Parasitologia Veterinária, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil; Departamento de Biociências e Tecnologia, Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil.
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22
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Abstract
The increase of contact between natural and rural areas is prominent in Brazil, due to agricultural activities and concern with the environmental conservation. In this context, domestic animals, wild fauna and humans are exposed to mutual exchange of parasites, microorganisms and diseases. We studied tick parasitism of wild carnivores and domestic dogs, and the environmental of questing ticks, in extensive cattle ranch areas intermingled with natural vegetation, and in a natural reserve, both in a region of Cerrado biome, Midwestern Brazil. From 2008 to 2015, we inspected 119 wild carnivores from nine species, and collected six tick species (Amblyomma sculptum, Amblyomma ovale, Amblyomma dubitatum, Amblyomma tigrinum, Dermacentor nitens and Rhipicephalus microplus). The most numerous and infested hosts were Cerdocyon thous, Lycalopex vetulus, Chrysocyon brachyurus, Puma concolor and Conepatus amazonicus. From 139 domestic dogs, we collected A. sculptum, Rhipicephalus sanguineus and R. microplus. From vegetation, samplings resulted in A. sculptum, A. dubitatum, A. ovale, Amblyomma rotundatum and R. microplus, with dominance of A. sculptum. Domestics and wild animals presented high overlapping of infestations by A. sculptum, a generalist and anthropophilic tick species. This tick is the most important vector of the Brazilian spotted fever, a lethal human disease. This fact elicits attention and requires efforts to monitor the presence of pathogens vectored by ticks circulating in this type of agroecosystem, including in other regions of the Brazil, because the most of the natural vegetation remaining have been increasingly immersed in pastures and agricultural matrix.
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23
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do Nascimento Ramos V, da Silva Rodrigues V, Piovezan U, Szabó MPJ. Microhabitat determines uneven distribution of Amblyomma parvum but not of Amblyomma sculptum ticks within forest patches in the Brazilian Pantanal. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2019; 79:405-410. [PMID: 31792751 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-019-00445-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Environmental distribution of the two most abundant ticks in forest areas in the Brazilian Pantanal was evaluated by CO2 traps methodology in the wet season (peak of adult ticks) of 2012 and 2013. Adults of Amblyomma parvum were concentrated inside agglomerates of Bromelia balansae, in the border of forest patches. Adults of Amblyomma sculptum occurred in similar numbers both in bromeliad clumps and in bromeliad-free areas. Differential distribution of ticks in this habitat could be associated to the frequent use of bromeliad clumps by wild animals (potential hosts) and to the microclimate conditions inside this vegetation in the Pantanal. It is important to verify whether larvae and nymphs of A. parvum have a similar pattern of distribution in the same areas, during the dry season. These stages are more susceptible to desiccation and their principal hosts, non-volant small mammals, also use these bromeliad areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa do Nascimento Ramos
- Laboratório de Ixodologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Av. Mato Grosso, 3289/Campus Umuarama - Bloco 2S, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, 38405-314, Brazil.
| | - Vinicius da Silva Rodrigues
- Laboratório de Ixodologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Av. Mato Grosso, 3289/Campus Umuarama - Bloco 2S, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, 38405-314, Brazil
| | - Ubiratan Piovezan
- Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária - Embrapa Tabuleiros Costeiros, Av. Governador Paulo Barreto de Menezes 3250, Aracaju, SE, 49025-040, Brazil
| | - Matias Pablo Juan Szabó
- Laboratório de Ixodologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Av. Mato Grosso, 3289/Campus Umuarama - Bloco 2S, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, 38405-314, Brazil
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Luz HR, Costa FB, Benatti HR, Ramos VN, de A Serpa MC, Martins TF, Acosta ICL, Ramirez DG, Muñoz-Leal S, Ramirez-Hernandez A, Binder LC, Carvalho MP, Rocha V, Dias TC, Simeoni CL, Brites-Neto J, Brasil J, Nievas AM, Monticelli PF, Moro MEG, Lopes B, Aguiar DM, Pacheco RC, Souza CE, Piovezan U, Juliano R, Ferraz KMPMB, Szabó MPJ, Labruna MB. Epidemiology of capybara-associated Brazilian spotted fever. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007734. [PMID: 31490924 PMCID: PMC6750615 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Revised: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Brazilian spotted fever (BSF), caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii, has been associated with the transmission by the tick Amblyomma sculptum, and one of its main hosts, the capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris). Methods During 2015–2019, we captured capybaras and ticks in seven highly anthropic areas of São Paulo state (three endemic and four nonendemic for BSF) and in two natural areas of the Pantanal biome, all with established populations of capybaras. Results The BSF-endemic areas were characterized by much higher tick burdens on both capybaras and in the environment, when compared to the BSF-nonendemic areas. Only two tick species (A. sculptum and Amblyomma dubitatum) were found in the anthropic areas; however, with a great predominance of A. sculptum (≈90% of all ticks) in the endemic areas, in contrast to a slight predominance of A. dubitatum (≈60%) in the nonendemic areas. Tick species richness was higher in the natural areas, where six species were found, albeit with a predominance of A. sculptum (≈95% of all ticks) and environmental tick burdens much lower than in the anthropic areas. The BSF-endemic areas were characterized by overgrowth populations of A. sculptum that were sustained chiefly by capybaras, and decreased populations of A. dubitatum. In contrast, the BSF-nonendemic areas with landscape similar to the endemic areas differed by having lower tick burdens and a slight predominance of A. dubitatum over A.sculptum, both sustained chiefly by capybaras. While multiple medium- to large-sized mammals have been incriminated as important hosts for A. sculptum in the natural areas, the capybara was the only important host for this tick in the anthropic areas. Conclusions The uneven distribution of R. rickettsii infection among A. sculptum populations in highly anthropic areas of São Paulo state could be related to the tick population size and its proportion to sympatric A. dubitatum populations. Brazilian spotted fever (BSF), caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii, is the deadliest tick-borne disease of the New World. In southeastern Brazil, where 489 patients succumbed to the disease from 2001 to 2018, R. rickettsii is transmitted to humans mainly by the tick Amblyomma sculptum, which uses the capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) as its main host. During 2015–2019, we captured capybaras and ticks in seven highly anthropic areas of São Paulo state (three endemic and four nonendemic for BSF) and in two natural areas of the Pantanal biome. The BSF-endemic areas were characterized by much higher tick burdens on both capybaras and in the environment, with a predominance of Amblyomma sculptum. In the BSF-nonendemic areas, another tick species, Amblyomma dubitatum, outnumbered A. sculptum. In the natural areas, six tick species were found; however, with much lower numbers than in the anthropic areas. The BSF-endemic areas were characterized by overgrowth populations of A. sculptum that were sustained chiefly by capybaras, and decreased populations of A. dubitatum. Results of this study support the idea that any intervention resulting in a drastic reduction of the A. sculptum population shall eliminate the R. rickettsii infection from the tick population, and consequently, prevent new BSF cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hermes R Luz
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,Departamento de Patologia, Programa de Pós Graduação em Biotecnologia do Renorbio, Ponto Focal Maranhão, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brazil
| | - Francisco B Costa
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Estadual do Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brazil
| | - Hector R Benatti
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Vanessa N Ramos
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,Pós-Doutorado em Ciências Veterinárias, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Maria Carolina de A Serpa
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Thiago F Martins
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Igor C L Acosta
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Diego G Ramirez
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Instituto de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | - Sebastián Muñoz-Leal
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Alejandro Ramirez-Hernandez
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Lina C Binder
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Vlamir Rocha
- Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Araras, SP, Brazil
| | - Thiago C Dias
- Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Araras, SP, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia e Recursos Naturais, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Camila L Simeoni
- Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Araras, SP, Brazil
| | - José Brites-Neto
- Departamento de Vigilância Epidemiológica, Secretaria Municipal de Saúde, Americana, SP, Brazil
| | - Jardel Brasil
- Departamento de Vigilância Epidemiológica, Secretaria Municipal de Saúde, Americana, SP, Brazil
| | - Ana Maria Nievas
- Departamento de Psicologia, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Patricia Ferreira Monticelli
- Departamento de Psicologia, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Maria Estela G Moro
- Departamento de Zootecnia, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Universidade de São Paulo, Pirassununga, SP, Brazil
| | - Beatriz Lopes
- Departamento de Ciências Florestais, Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz, Universidade de São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Daniel M Aguiar
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil
| | - Richard C Pacheco
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil
| | - Celso Eduardo Souza
- Laboratório de Carrapatos, Superintendência de Controle de Endemias, Mogi Guaçu, SP, Brazil
| | - Ubiratan Piovezan
- Embrapa Pantanal, Corumbá, MS, Brazil.,Embrapa Tabuleiros Costeiros, Aracaju, SE, Brazil
| | | | - Katia Maria P M B Ferraz
- Departamento de Ciências Florestais, Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz, Universidade de São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Matias P J Szabó
- Laboratório de Ixodologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Marcelo B Labruna
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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25
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Phenology of Amblyomma sculptum in a degraded area of Atlantic rainforest in north-eastern Brazil. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2019; 10:101263. [PMID: 31331735 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2019] [Revised: 07/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Amblyomma sculptum is the principal vector of Rickettsia rickettsii, the main agent of spotted fever rickettsiosis in Brazil. Little information is available regarding the population dynamics of this tick in some regions, including north-eastern Brazil, where cases of spotted fever rickettsioses are increasingly reported. Herein, we studied the phenology of A. sculptum in a rural area in north-eastern Brazil. Ticks were collected from the environment, using dry ice-baited traps, monthly for two consecutive years. In total, 1500 ticks were collected: 94 females (6.3%), 74 males (4.9%), 468 nymphs (31.2%), and 864 larvae (57.6%). All nymphs and females were identified as A. sculptum. Males were tentatively identified as A. sculptum and larvae as Amblyomma spp. Ticks were more numerous during spring and summer, followed by autumn and winter. Peaks of larvae and nymphs were recorded during summer and spring, respectively, whereas adults were more frequently collected in spring. A total of 380 ticks were tested by PCR for the gltA gene of Rickettsia spp., but none of them were positive. While our results revealed a seasonal pattern for A. sculptum in north-eastern Brazil that is distinct from the seasonal pattern in south-eastern Brazil, we caution that the observed pattern could have been biased by the relatively low number of ticks collected. Finally, the absence of Rickettsia-infected ticks does not rule out the possibility that rickettsial organisms are circulating in the study area and further long-term studies are warranted.
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26
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Passos Nunes FB, da Silva SC, Cieto AD, Labruna MB. The Dynamics of Ticks and Capybaras in a Residential Park Area in Southeastern Brazil: Implications for the Risk of Rickettsia rickettsii Infection. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2019; 19:711-716. [PMID: 31135286 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2019.2479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii causes Brazilian spotted fever (BSF), a highly lethal disease that is transmitted by Amblyomma sculptum ticks in areas where capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) are the tick's major hosts. In this study, we evaluated the expansion of a capybara population in a residential park in São Paulo state, and the implications of such expansion to the occurrence of ticks and BSF. The capybara population was quantified during 2004-2013. In 2012, there was a BSF human case in the area, culminating in the complete fencing of the residential park and the official culling of all capybaras. Quantification of ticks in the environment was performed by dry ice traps from 2005 to 2018. Domestic dogs in 2006-2011 and capybaras in 2012 were serologically tested for the presence of anti-R. rickettsii antibodies. Our results show that capybara numbers increased ≈5 times from 2004 (41 capybaras) to 2012 (230 capybaras). Dry ice traps collected A. sculptum and Amblyomma dubitatum. The number of A. dubitatum adult ticks was generally higher than A. sculptum adults during 2005-2006; however, during 2012-2013, A. sculptum outnumbered A. dubitatum by a large difference. During 2016-2018 (after capybara culling), the number of both species fell close to zero. The low numbers of A. sculptum adult ticks during 2005-2006 coincided with relatively low capybara numbers (<80). Thereafter, in 2012, we counted the highest numbers of both A. sculptum ticks and capybaras (230 animals). All 40 canine blood samples were seronegative to R. rickettsii, in contrast to the 48.3% seropositivity (83/172) among capybaras. Our results support that the emergence of BSF in the residential park was a consequence of the increase of the local capybara population, which in turn, provided the increment of the A. sculptum population. Culling the entire capybara population eliminated the risks of new BSF cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda B Passos Nunes
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,A Z Nunes & Cia Ltda, Itu, Brazil
| | | | - Alex Deiws Cieto
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcelo B Labruna
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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27
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Gruhn KD, Ogrzewalska M, Rozental T, Farikoski IO, Blanco C, de Souza Freitas L, de Lemos ERS, Ribeiro VMF. Evaluation of rickettsial infection in free-range capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris Linnaeus, 1766) (Rodentia: Caviidae) and ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) in the Western Amazon, Brazil. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2019; 10:981-986. [PMID: 31109835 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2018] [Revised: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris Linnaeus, 1766) (Rodentia: Caviidae) are important hosts of Amblyomma ticks (Acari: Ixodidae), which in turn can transmit rickettsiae to humans and animals. However, there is a scarcity of studies about the tick fauna and rickettsial infection in the Amazon region. The present study evaluated rickettsial infection in capybaras and ticks in different areas of the municipality of Rio Branco, state of Acre, in the Western Brazilian Amazon, where rickettsiosis has never been reported. Blood sera from 43 capybaras from four localities in Rio Branco were tested by indirect immunofluorescence assay using Rickettsia rickettsii antigens. Ticks were collected from capybaras and from vegetation as well. Ticks were taxonomically identified to the species level and some of them were tested by PCR, targeting a fragment of the rickettsial gltA gene. Additionally, ticks were tested for bacteria from the genus Borrelia and family Anaplasmatacae. All capybaras submitted to the serological examination were considered non-reactive to R. rickettsii. A total of 410 ticks were collected directly from the capybaras. Amblyomma dubitatum Neumann, 1899 was the most abundant species (82.4%), followed by Amblyomma naponense (Packard, 1869) (14.3%), Amblyomma humerale Koch, 1844 (0.7%), Amblyomma pacae Aragão, 1911 (0.4%), Amblyomma rotundatum Koch 1844 (0.2%) and Amblyomma sp. (1.7%). From the environment 262 ticks were collected: Rhipicephalus microplus (Canestrini, 1888) (88.9%), Dermacentor nitens Neumann, 1897 (9.9%), Amblyomma varium Koch, 1844 (0.7%) and A. rotundatum (0.3%). With the exception of A. humerale, A. rotundatum and R. microplus, all other species are reported here for the first time in the state. Some of the ticks sampled (N = 317) were tested by molecular methods for infection by Rickettsia spp. Rickettsia bellii was identified infecting A. dubitatum and A. rotundatum, while Rickettsia amblyommatis only was found infecting A. humerale and Rickettsia sp. strain Tapirapé was found in A. naponense. This is the first detection of R. bellii and Rickettsia sp. strain Tapirapé in Acre. No Borrelia or Anaplasmataceae were found in the tested ticks. These results add relevant knowledge about the Rickettsia spp. and the acarological fauna in the region of the Western Amazon, and are essential for the maintenance of vigilance about possible pathogens that occur in the state and determination of the risks that they pose to humans and animals that inhabit the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karla Dayane Gruhn
- Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Natureza, Universidade Federal do Acre, Rio Branco, AC, Brazil.
| | - Maria Ogrzewalska
- Laboratório de Hantaviroses e Rickettsioses, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Tatiana Rozental
- Laboratório de Hantaviroses e Rickettsioses, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Itacir Olivio Farikoski
- Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Natureza, Universidade Federal do Acre, Rio Branco, AC, Brazil
| | - Carolina Blanco
- Laboratório de Hantaviroses e Rickettsioses, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Lucas de Souza Freitas
- Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Natureza, Universidade Federal do Acre, Rio Branco, AC, Brazil
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Araújo IM, Magalhães-Matos PC, Cordeiro MD, Pacheco A, Rocha BS, Feitoza LFBB, Sanavria A, Fonseca AH. Ticks in wild animals at a resort and the first documentation of Amblyomma sculptum infesting Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae). REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA 2019; 28:177-179. [DOI: 10.1590/s1984-296120180082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Abstract The study aimed to identify species of ticks present in the environment and among captive animals, in Mangaratiba, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Ticks were isolated from captive animals by manual examination and free-living ticks in the environment were captured using the flannel drag technique. A total of 91 ticks were obtained (51 adults, 25 nymphs and 15 larvae). The specimens were identified morphologically as Amblyomma sp., Amblyomma dubitatum, Amblyomma ovale and Amblyomma sculptum , and were distributed among five species of native mammals and an exotic bird. This study also reports the first case of infestation of the Australian emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) by A. sculptum.
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29
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Barbieri AR, Szabó MP, Costa FB, Martins TF, Soares HS, Pascoli G, Torga K, Saraiva DG, Ramos VN, Osava C, Gerardi M, Dias RA, Moraes EA, Ferreira F, Castro MB, Labruna MB. Species richness and seasonal dynamics of ticks with notes on rickettsial infection in a Natural Park of the Cerrado biome in Brazil. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2019; 10:442-453. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2018.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Revised: 12/16/2018] [Accepted: 12/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Tarragona EL, Sebastian PS, Saracho Bottero MN, Martinez EI, Debárbora VN, Mangold AJ, Guglielmone AA, Nava S. Seasonal dynamics, geographical range size, hosts, genetic diversity and phylogeography of Amblyomma sculptum in Argentina. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2018; 9:1264-1274. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2018.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2017] [Revised: 02/28/2018] [Accepted: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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31
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de Oliveira GMB, Araújo ADC, Santos JR, da Silva IWG, Labruna MB, Horta MC. Lack of seasonality of Amblyomma rotundatum (Acari: Ixodidade) on Rhinella jimi (Anura: Bufonidae) in a semi-arid region of northeastern Brazil. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2018; 9:1350-1353. [PMID: 29934040 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2018.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Revised: 06/11/2018] [Accepted: 06/13/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Amblyomma rotundatum is an ixodid tick strictly associated with cold-blooded animals, among them the toad Rhinella jimi. This work aimed to evaluate the seasonal dynamics of larvae, nymphs, and adults of A. rotundatum parasitizing R. jimi in an area within the semi-arid Caatinga Biome of northeastern Brazil. Monthly sampling from February 2014 to January 2016 resulted in a total of 592 R. jimi toads captured and inspected for infestation by ticks, which were counted and identified. After the procedure, the toads were released with their ticks at the same capture site. During the study period, a total of 658 A. rotundatum were counted, comprising 497 larvae, 110 nymphs, and 51 females. The two-year mean abundances of larvae, nymphs, and adults were 0.84, 0.19, and 0.09, respectively. The two-year mean infestation intensities of larvae, nymphs, and adults were 3.65, 1.45, and 1.34, respectively. Comparing the monthly values of prevalence, mean abundance, and mean infestation intensity of A. rotundatum life stages, differences were observed between the first and second year of study; however, with no clear seasonal pattern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glauber Meneses Barboza de Oliveira
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias, Campus Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Univasf, Petrolina, PE, Brazil
| | - Andreina de Carvalho Araújo
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias, Campus Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Univasf, Petrolina, PE, Brazil
| | - Josenilton Rodrigues Santos
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias, Campus Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Univasf, Petrolina, PE, Brazil
| | - Ivo Wesley Gomes da Silva
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias, Campus Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Univasf, Petrolina, PE, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Bahia Labruna
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, FMVZ-USP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Mauricio Claudio Horta
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias, Campus Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Univasf, Petrolina, PE, Brazil.
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32
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Aguirre AAR, Garcia MV, Costa IND, Csordas BG, Rodrigues VDS, Medeiros JF, Andreotti R. New records of tick-associated spotted fever group Rickettsia in an Amazon-Savannah ecotone, Brazil. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2018; 9:1038-1044. [PMID: 29625922 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2018.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2017] [Revised: 03/11/2018] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Human rickettsiosis has been recorded in the Amazon Biome. However, the epidemiological cycle of causative rickettsiae has not been fully accounted for in the Amazon region. This study investigates the presence of spotted fever group (SFG) Rickettsia spp. in free-living unfed ticks of the Amblyomma genus. The study was conducted in seven municipalities in Rondonia State, Brazil, where the main biomes are Amazon forest, Brazilian Savannah and their ecotones (areas of ecological tension between open ombrophilous forest and savannah). The following tick species were collected: Amblyomma cajennense (sensu lato) s.l., A. cajennense (sensu stricto) s.s., A. coelebs, A. naponense, A. oblongoguttatum, A. romitii, A. scalpturatum and A. sculptum. A total of 167 adults, 248 nymphs and 1004 larvae were subjected to DNA extraction and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to determine the presence of SFG Rickettsia spp. PCR-positive samples included: one A. cajennense s.s. female and one A. cajennense s.l. male from a rural area in Vilhena Municipality; 10 nymphs and a sample of larvae of A. cajennense s.l. from a peri-urban area in Cacoal Municipality; and an A. oblongoguttatum adult male from a rural area of Pimenta Bueno Municipality. All sequences obtained exhibited 100% identity with Rickettsia amblyommatis sequences. This is the first confirmation of SFG Rickettsia in an A. oblongoguttatum tick. Furthermore, this is the first record of SFG Rickettsia in the municipalities targeted by this study. These results warn that SFG Rickettsia circulation poses a threat in Rondonia State (among Amazon-Savannah ecotones), and that this threat is increased by the fact that SFG Rickettsia infect a human-biting tick species hitherto unconfirmed as a vector.
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Affiliation(s)
- A A R Aguirre
- Plataforma de Criação e Experimentação Animal, Fiocruz Rondônia, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, n° 7671, Bairro Lagoa, Porto Velho, RO, CEP 76812-245, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Av. Costa e Silva, Bairro Universitário, Campo Grande, MS, CEP 79070-900, Brazil.
| | - Marcos Valério Garcia
- Laboratórios de Biologia Molecular e do Carrapato, Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, Av. Rádio Maia, n° 830, Zona Rural, Campo Grande, MS, CEP 79106-550, Brazil
| | - Ivaneide Nunes da Costa
- Laboratório de Entomologia Médica, Fiocruz Rondônia, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rua da Beira, n° 7671, Bairro Lagoa, Porto Velho, RO, CEP 76812-245, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Experimental, Universidade Federal de Rondônia, Rodovia BR 364, Km 9,5, Porto Velho, RO, CEP 76801-059, Brazil
| | - Bárbara Guimarães Csordas
- Laboratórios de Biologia Molecular e do Carrapato, Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, Av. Rádio Maia, n° 830, Zona Rural, Campo Grande, MS, CEP 79106-550, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Av. Costa e Silva, Bairro Universitário, Campo Grande, MS, CEP 79070-900, Brazil
| | - Vinícius da Silva Rodrigues
- Laboratórios de Biologia Molecular e do Carrapato, Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, Av. Rádio Maia, n° 830, Zona Rural, Campo Grande, MS, CEP 79106-550, Brazil
| | - Jansen Fernandes Medeiros
- Laboratório de Entomologia Médica, Fiocruz Rondônia, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rua da Beira, n° 7671, Bairro Lagoa, Porto Velho, RO, CEP 76812-245, Brazil
| | - Renato Andreotti
- Laboratórios de Biologia Molecular e do Carrapato, Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, Av. Rádio Maia, n° 830, Zona Rural, Campo Grande, MS, CEP 79106-550, Brazil
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dos Santos MF, Maltauro Soares MA, Lallo MA, Barros-Battesti DM, de Lima-Netto S, Spadacci-Morena DD. Morphodifferentiation of Gené’s organ in engorged Amblyomma sculptum Berlese, 1888 female ticks (Acari: Ixodidae). Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2018; 9:519-525. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2018.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2017] [Revised: 12/26/2017] [Accepted: 01/12/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Aguirre ADAR, Rodrigues VDS, Costa IND, Garcia MV, Higa LDOS, Medeiros JF, Andreotti R. Biological parameters of Amblyomma coelebs Neumann, 1906 (Acari: Ixodidae) under experimental conditions. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA 2018; 27:81-86. [DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612018003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2017] [Accepted: 01/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Abstract One generation of Amblyomma coelebs life cycle under experimental conditions was evaluated. Ten tick pairs were allowed to feed on rabbits under laboratory conditions (LC), resulting six engorged females with a mean weight of 1,403.9 mg. Two females were maintained in a forest reserve under natural conditions (NC), and four were maintained in incubators (LC). The engorgement period lasted 10.33 days. Pre-oviposition periods were 10.75 (NC) and 22 days (LC). The mean egg-mass weight was 514.76 mg, and the blood meal conversion index was 36.67% (LC). Incubation period under NC and LC were 91 and 56.33 days and hatching rates were 50% and 28.33%, respectively. Larval engorgement period ranged from 4 to 10 days, with average weight of 1.1 mg. Engorged larvae were incubated under NC and LC, with a premolt period of 27 to 36 days and molting rate of 7.1% and 28.7%, respectively. Nymphal engorgement period ranged from 5 to 7 days, with a mean weight of 18.8 mg and a recovery rate of 54.54%. In LC, the ecdysis mean period was 24.5 days, and molting rate was 44.44%, resulting in 24 adult A. coelebs. Our results show a life cycle of 187.45 (NC) and 149 (LC) days.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Marcos Valerio Garcia
- Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, Brasil; Governo do Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil
| | | | | | - Renato Andreotti
- Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil; Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, Brasil
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Labruna MB, Krawczak FS, Gerardi M, Binder LC, Barbieri ARM, Paz GF, Rodrigues DS, Araújo RN, Bernardes ML, Leite RC. Isolation of Rickettsia rickettsii from the tick Amblyomma sculptum from a Brazilian spotted fever-endemic area in the Pampulha Lake region, southeastern Brazil. VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY- REGIONAL STUDIES AND REPORTS 2017; 8:82-85. [PMID: 31014644 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2017.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Brazilian spotted fever (BSF) is a tick-borne disease caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii, the deadliest spotted fever of the world, transmitted in southeastern Brazil mainly by the tick Amblyomma sculptum, a member of the Amblyomma cajennense species complex. In the present study, over 5000 adults of A. sculptum ticks were collected by dry ice traps in the Municipal Ecological Park, alongside the Pampulha Lake region, a BSF-endemic area of Belo Horizonte city, state of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil. Ticks were taken alive to the laboratory, where a sample of 2100 specimens was processed for isolation of R. rickettsii. For this purpose, ticks were macerated and intraperitoneally inoculated into guinea pigs. Only one out of 21 inoculated guinea pigs presented high fever within 21days post inoculation with tick homogenates. This febrile animal was euthanized and its internal organs were macerated and inoculated into additional guinea pigs (guinea pig passage). A spleen sample from a febrile guinea pig was used to inoculate Vero cells, resulting in a successful isolation and in vitro establishment of rickettsiae. Rickettsia-infected Vero cells were used for molecular characterization of the rickettsial isolate through PCR and DNA sequencing of fragments of three rickettsial genes (gltA, ompA, and ompB), which were all 100% identical to corresponding sequences of R. rickettsii from GenBank. The present R. rickettsii isolate was designated as strain Pampulha. A minimal infection rate of 0.05% R. rickettsii-infected ticks was estimated for A. sculptum population of the Pampulha Lake region. Our results, coupled with epidemiological evidences, suggest that R. rickettsii strain Pampulha, isolated from A. sculptum ticks in the present study, is the strain responsible for human clinical cases of BSF in the Pampulha Lake region of Belo Horizonte city.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo B Labruna
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Felipe S Krawczak
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Monize Gerardi
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Lina C Binder
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Amalia R M Barbieri
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Gustavo F Paz
- Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou/Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Daniel S Rodrigues
- Santa Rita Experimental Field, Midwest EPAMIG, Prudente de Morais, MG, Brazil
| | - Ricardo N Araújo
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Romario C Leite
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
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Ribeiro CM, Matos AC, Azzolini T, Bones ER, Wasnieski EA, Richini-Pereira VB, Lucheis SB, Vidotto O. Molecular epidemiology of Anaplasma platys, Ehrlichia canis and Babesia vogeli in stray dogs in Paraná, Brazil. PESQUISA VETERINARIA BRASILEIRA 2017. [DOI: 10.1590/s0100-736x2017000200006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT: Hemoparasitic infections are tick-borne diseases, which affect animals and humans. Considering the importance of canine hemoparasitic infections in veterinary clinics, this study aimed to determine the occurrence of Anaplasma platys, Ehrlichia canis and Babesia vogeli in blood samples from 182 dogs not domiciled in the city of Pato Branco, southwestern region of Paraná State, Brazil, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The prevalence of A. platys and B. vogeli was 32.9% and 10.9% respectively, and A. platys infection prevailed (p<0.001). The number of dogs positive for A. platys was larger in Winter (p<0.05). All blood samples were negative for E. canis. In the dogs, infestation by Amblyomma cajennense predominated over that by Rhipicephalus sanguineus (p<0.001); but there was no significant association between PCR and the variables presence of ticks, sex and age. Dogs infected by A. platys and B. vogeli showed thrombocytopenia, lymphopenia and leukocytosis; but there was no correlation between such hematological changes and infection by hemoparasites. This appears to be the first molecular study that demonstrates the existence of A. platys and B. vogeli in dogs from the southwestern region of Paraná.
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Nasser JT, Lana RC, Silva CMDS, Lourenço RW, da Cunha e Silva DC, Donalísio MR. Urbanization of Brazilian spotted fever in a municipality of the southeastern region: epidemiology and spatial distribution. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE EPIDEMIOLOGIA 2016; 18:299-312. [PMID: 26083504 DOI: 10.1590/1980-5497201500020002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2013] [Accepted: 09/29/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Brazilian spotted fever is an emerging zoonosis notified mainly in the Southeast of Brazil, especially due to its high level of lethality. OBJECTIVE To analyze the epidemiological and spatial pattern of the disease in the municipality of Valinhos (106,793 inhabitants), São Paulo, Southeastern region of Brazil, in the period between 2001 and 2012. METHODS All laboratory-confirmed cases with likely site of infection in the city (n = 49) notified in the Brazilian Case Registry Database were studied. Sites were geocoded using the cartographic base of the city and Google Earth (geographic coordinates) with correction according to the Brazilian Geodetic System. We used the Kernel estimator to analyze the density of the cases on the map. Land cover and distance to basins of all cases were analyzed. Information about tick species and primary hosts were obtained from reports of the Superintendence of Control of Endemic Diseases. RESULTS Seasonality of the disease was observed with the highest incidence from June to November, and in 2005 and 2011. The most affected groups were men (79.6%) aged 20-49 years old (49%). Lethality was found to be 42.9%. Maps showed the progressive registration of cases in the urban area. Capybaras were reported as the main primary host, and Amblyomma cajennense was identified in probable sites of infection during field investigation. The likely sites of infection were mostly located near basins, dirty pastures, and bordering woods. CONCLUSIONS The transmission pattern of Brazilian spotted fever in Valinhos is similar to that in other cities in the region, where capybara is the main primary host and an amplifier of R. rickettsii. Over the years, a higher occurrence of cases has been identified in the urban area of the city.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanette Trigo Nasser
- Laboratory of Spatial Analysis of Epidemiological Data, School of Medical Sciences, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Rafael César Lana
- Department of Public Health of Valinhos, Secretariat of Health of Valinhos, Valinhos, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Roberto Wagner Lourenço
- School of Environmental Engineering, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho, Sorocaba, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Maria Rita Donalísio
- Laboratory of Spatial Analysis of Epidemiological Data, School of Medical Sciences, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
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Ramos VN, Piovezan U, Franco AHA, Rodrigues VS, Nava S, Szabó MPJ. Nellore cattle (Bos indicus) and ticks within the Brazilian Pantanal: ecological relationships. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2016; 68:227-240. [PMID: 26613758 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-015-9991-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2015] [Accepted: 10/31/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Pantanal is a huge floodplain mostly in Brazil, and its main economic activity is extensive cattle raising, in farms characterized by an extremely wildlife-rich environment. We herein describe tick infestations of cattle and of the natural environment in Pantanal of Nhecolândia in Brazil, at areas with and without cattle during both dry and wet seasons. Environmental sampling resulted in three tick species: Amblyomma sculptum (423 nymphs and 518 adults), Amblyomma parvum (7 nymphs and 129 adults), Amblyomma ovale (3 adults) as well as three clusters and two individuals of Amblyomma sp. larvae. A significantly higher number of adult A. sculptum ticks was found in areas with cattle in the wet season. From 106 examinations of bovines 1710 ticks from three species were collected: Rhipicephalus microplus (55.7% of the total), A. sculptum (38%) and A. parvum (4.1%), as well as 32 Amblyomma sp. larvae. A significant similarity was found between Amblyomma tick fauna from environment and on cattle during both seasons. All A. sculptum females on bovines were flat whereas many of A. parvum females and A. sculptum nymphs were engorging. Although R. microplus was the most abundant tick species on cattle, overall highest tick prevalence on bovines in the dry season was of A. sculptum nymphs. Lack of R. microplus in environmental sampling, relationship between cattle and increase in adult A. sculptum numbers in the environment as well as suitability of bovine for the various tick species are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa N Ramos
- Programa de Pós-doutorado, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, SP, CEP 05508-270, Brazil.
| | - Ubiratan Piovezan
- Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária - Embrapa Pantanal, Corumbá, MS, Brazil
| | | | - Vinicius S Rodrigues
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Santiago Nava
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Matias P J Szabó
- Laboratório de Ixodologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
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Tarragona EL, Mangold AJ, Mastropaolo M, Guglielmone AA, Nava S. Ecology and genetic variation of Amblyomma tonelliae in Argentina. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2015; 29:297-304. [PMID: 25736471 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2014] [Revised: 11/15/2014] [Accepted: 11/22/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The ecology of Amblyomma tonelliae (Ixodida: Ixodidae), including its seasonal distribution and the development periods of each stage, was investigated during a study carried out over two consecutive years in northwestern Argentina. In addition, the genetic variation of this tick was studied through analyses of 16S rDNA sequences. Amblyomma tonelliae has a 1-year lifecycle characterized by a long pre-moult period in larvae with no development of morphogenetic diapause. Larvae peak in abundance during late autumn and early winter; nymphs peak in abundance in spring, and adults do so from late spring to early summer. Amblyomma tonelliae shows a marked ecological preference for the driest areas of the Chaco ecoregion. In analyses of 16S rDNA sequences in genes from different populations of A. tonelliae, values for nucleotide diversity and the average number of nucleotide differences showed genetic diversity within this species to be low. No significant differences were found in comparisons among populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- E L Tarragona
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina
- Cátedra de Parasitología y Enfermedades Parasitarias, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - A J Mangold
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - M Mastropaolo
- Cátedra de Parasitología y Enfermedades Parasitarias, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - A A Guglielmone
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - S Nava
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina
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Ramos DGDS, Melo AL, Martins TF, Alves ADS, Pacheco TDA, Pinto LB, Pinho JB, Labruna MB, Dutra V, Aguiar DM, Pacheco RC. Rickettsial infection in ticks from wild birds from Cerrado and the Pantanal region of Mato Grosso, midwestern Brazil. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2015; 6:836-42. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2015.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2015] [Revised: 07/13/2015] [Accepted: 07/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Sponchiado J, Melo GL, Martins TF, Krawczak FS, Labruna MB, Cáceres NC. Association patterns of ticks (Acari: Ixodida: Ixodidae, Argasidae) of small mammals in Cerrado fragments, western Brazil. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2015; 65:389-401. [PMID: 25633262 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-014-9877-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2014] [Accepted: 12/27/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The present study describes ticks associated with small mammals and analyzes the aggregation patterns according to seasonal and host variations in the Cerrado biome, central-western Brazil. Small mammals were systematically captured in 54 woodland fragments from February 2012 to July 2013. A total of 1,040 animals belonging to eight marsupial and 12 rodent species were captured; 265 animals were parasitized by eight tick species (in decreasing order of abundance): Ornithodoros mimon, Amblyomma coelebs, Amblyomma sculptum, Amblyomma ovale, Amblyomma parvum, Amblyomma dubitatum, Amblyomma parkeri, and Ixodes amarali. With few exceptions, collected ticks were larvae and nymphs. Among the more abundant animals, the marsupial Didelphis albiventris showed the highest tick prevalence (84.4 %), mean abundance (19.2), mean intensity (22.8), richness of ticks species (n = 7), and total abundance of ticks (n = 2,457). Amblyomma sculptum and O. mimon were the most generalist species, collected on four host species. Fifteen new tick-host associations are reported for the first time. Most ticks showed higher prevalence and mean intensity in the dry season, regardless of host species. Overall, tick prevalence and mean intensity of infestation were significantly associated with host gender. Finally, the importance of the large number of records of the argasid O. mimon is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Sponchiado
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, CCNE, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Av. Roraima 1000, Santa Maria, RS, 97110-970, Brazil,
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Silveira I, Martins TF, Olegário MM, Peterka C, Guedes E, Ferreira F, Labruna MB. Rickettsial Infection in Animals, Humans and Ticks in Paulicéia, Brazil. Zoonoses Public Health 2015; 62:525-33. [PMID: 25643912 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
A previous study in Paulicéia Municipality, south-eastern Brazil, reported 9.7% of the Amblyomma triste ticks to be infected by Rickettsia parkeri, a bacterial pathogen that causes spotted fever in humans. These A. triste ticks were shown to be associated with marsh areas, where the marsh deer Blastocerus dichotomus is a primary host for this tick species. During 2008-2009, blood serum samples were collected from 140 horses, 41 dogs, 5 opossums (Didelphis albiventris) and 26 humans in farms from Pauliceia Municipality. Ticks were collected from these animals, from vegetation and from additional wildlife in these farms. Overall, 25% (35/140) of the horses, 7.3% (3/41) of the dogs, 3.8% (1/26) of the humans and 100% (5/5) of the opossums were seroreactive (titre ≥64) to spotted fever group (SFG) Rickettsia spp. Multivariate statistical analysis indicated that horses that were allowed to forage in the marsh were 4.8 times more likely to be seroreactive to spotted fever group (SFG) Rickettsia spp than horses that did not forage in the marsh. In addition, horses that had been living in the farm for more than 8.5 years were 2.8 times more likely to be seroreactive to SFG Rickettsia spp than horses that were living for ≤8.5 years. Ticks collected from domestic animals or from vegetation included Amblyomma cajennense, Amblyomma coelebs, Amblyomma dubitatum, Dermacentor nitens and Rhipicephalus microplus. By PCR analyses, only one pool of A. coelebs ticks from the vegetation was shown to be infected by rickettsiae, for which DNA sequencing revealed to be Rickettsia amblyommii. Ticks (not tested by PCR) collected from wildlife encompassed A. cajennense and Amblyomma rotundatum on lizards (Tupinambis sp), and A. cajennense and A. triste on the bird Laterallus viridis. Our results indicate that the marsh area of Paulicéia offers risks of infection by SFG rickettsiae.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Silveira
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - T F Martins
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - M M Olegário
- Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - C Peterka
- Tropical Medicine Foundation of Tocantins (Funtrop), Araguaína, Brazil
| | - E Guedes
- Parasitology Laboratory, Embrapa Dairy Cattle, Rua Eugênio do Nascimento, Juiz de Fora, Brazil
| | - F Ferreira
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - M B Labruna
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Ramos VDN, Osava CF, Piovezan U, Szabó MPJ. Complementary data on four methods for sampling free-living ticks in the Brazilian Pantanal. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 23:516-21. [PMID: 25517531 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612014091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
In this study, four methods for sampling free-living ticks that are used in ecological and human tick-bite risk studies were evaluated. Cloth dragging, carbon dioxide traps and visual searches and inspection of plant litter on the ground were used in field and forest areas within the Brazilian Pantanal. Among the three tick species collected, Amblyomma sculptum predominated, followed by Amblyomma parvum and Amblyomma ovale. Dragging, a cheap and simple technique, yielded the highest numbers of ticks, particularly nymphs. The visual search detected a high number of adult ticks and provided information on tick questing height. Even though laborious, plant litter examination showed that large numbers of ticks may use this stratum. Carbon dioxide (CO2) traps are expensive and difficult to handle, but they are highly efficient for adult ticks, especially A. parvum. These data indicate that one method alone is incapable of providing a representative sample of the tick fauna in a particular area and that multiple techniques should be used for tick population studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa do Nascimento Ramos
- Laboratório de Ixodologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia - UFU, Uberlândia, MG, Brasil
| | - Carolina Fonseca Osava
- Laboratório de Ixodologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia - UFU, Uberlândia, MG, Brasil
| | - Ubiratan Piovezan
- Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária - Embrapa Pantanal, Corumbá, MS, Brasil
| | - Matias Pablo Juan Szabó
- Laboratório de Ixodologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia - UFU, Uberlândia, MG, Brasil
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Matias J, Garcia MV, Cunha RC, Aguirre ADAR, Barros JC, Csordas BG, Andreotti R. Spotted fever group Rickettsia in Amblyomma dubitatum tick from the urban area of Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2014; 6:107-10. [PMID: 25454606 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2014.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2014] [Revised: 10/06/2014] [Accepted: 10/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Rickettsia infection of each tick was evaluated by the hemolymph test and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting gltA and ompA genes. All hemolymph tests were negative and PCR of one A. dubitatum detected both Rickettsia genes. Sequence of ompA exhibited a 99% identity with Rickettsia parkeri and R. africae and a 98% identity with R. sibirica. Rickettsia of the spotted fever group in A. dubitatum is described for the first time in an urban area within the municipality of Campo Grande in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), Brazil. This finding reinforces the importance of more detailed studies to determine the role of A. dubitatum in the transmission of spotted fever agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaqueline Matias
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | | | - Rodrigo Casquero Cunha
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Bolsista PNPD/CAPES, Brazil
| | - André de Abreu Rangel Aguirre
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | | | - Bárbara Guimarães Csordas
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Renato Andreotti
- Embrapa Beef Cattle, Av. Radio Maia 830, Vila Popular, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil.
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Brites-Neto J, Nieri-Bastos FA, Brasil J, Duarte KMR, Martins TF, Veríssimo CJ, Barbieri ARM, Labruna MB. Environmental infestation and rickettsial infection in ticks in an area endemic for Brazilian spotted fever. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 22:367-72. [PMID: 24142167 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612013000300008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2013] [Accepted: 04/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Brazilian spotted fever (BSF), caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, is endemic in the municipality of Americana, southeastern Brazil, where the disease is transmitted by the tick Amblyomma cajennense. This study evaluated the tick fauna and rickettsial infection in free-living ticks that were captured monthly using dry ice traps in areas endemic for BSF in Americana, from July 2009 to June 2010. Two tick species were captured: A. cajennense (6,122 larvae; 4,265 nymphs; 2,355 adults) and Amblyomma dubitatum (7,814 larvae; 3,364 nymphs; 1,193 adults). The immature stages of A. cajennense and A. dubitatum had similar distribution through the 12-month period, with larvae of both species collected in highest numbers between April and July, and nymphs between June and October. The highest numbers of A. cajennense adults were collected between October and December, whereas A. dubitatum adults were collected in relatively similar numbers throughout the 12-month period. Rickettsial infection was evaluated by means of PCR in 1,157 A. cajennense and 1,040 A. dubitatum ticks; only 41 (3.9%) A. dubitatum were found to be infected by Rickettsia bellii. The present study showed that the areas of Americana that are endemic for BSF are characterized by high environmental burdens of A. cajennense and A. dubitatum.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Brites-Neto
- Municipal Health Department, Tick Surveillance and Control Program, AmericanaSP, Brazil
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Pinheiro MDC, Lourenço EC, Patrício PMP, Sá-Hungaro IJBD, Famadas KM. Free-living ixodid ticks in an urban Atlantic Forest fragment, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA 2014; 23:264-8. [PMID: 25054511 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612014020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2013] [Accepted: 03/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
As a consequence of the importance of ticks in forests in protected areas, was conducted survey of species of free-living ticks in the Natural Park Municipal Curió, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Monthly samples were taken by dragging method, dry ice traps and visual search in two transects. Adults and nymphs of Amblyomma cajennense (n= 147), Amblyomma brasiliense (n= 4) and Amblyomma parvum (n= 1) were collected. This is the first occurrence of A. parvum in the state. No correlation was found between the abundance of stages of A. cajennense and rainfall, temperature and relative humidity. The highest abundances of adults were in the months of January and May, and nymphs in September and October. The low diversity of parasites on Curió Park can be attributed to the proximity of households with pets, which would also explain the higher abundance of A. cajennense that is commonly found in areas impacted by anthropogenic pressure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele da Costa Pinheiro
- Laboratório de Ixodologia, Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro ? UFRRJ, Seropédica, RJ, Brasil
| | - Elizabete Captivo Lourenço
- Laboratório de Morfofisiologia de Ácaros, Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro ? UFRRJ, Seropédica, RJ, Brasil
| | - Priscilla Maria Peixoto Patrício
- Laboratório de Morfofisiologia de Ácaros, Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro ? UFRRJ, Seropédica, RJ, Brasil
| | - Iwine Joyce Barbosa de Sá-Hungaro
- Laboratório de Ixodologia, Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro ? UFRRJ, Seropédica, RJ, Brasil
| | - Kátia Maria Famadas
- Laboratório de Ixodologia, Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro ? UFRRJ, Seropédica, RJ, Brasil
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Krawczak FS, Nieri-Bastos FA, Nunes FP, Soares JF, Moraes-Filho J, Labruna MB. Rickettsial infection in Amblyomma cajennense ticks and capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) in a Brazilian spotted fever-endemic area. Parasit Vectors 2014; 7:7. [PMID: 24387674 PMCID: PMC3892071 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-7-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2013] [Accepted: 01/01/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Brazilian spotted fever (BSF), caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii, is the deadliest spotted fever of the world. In most of the BSF-endemic areas, capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) are the principal host for the tick Amblyomma cajennense, which is the main vector of BSF. METHODS In 2012, a BSF case was confirmed in a child that was bitten by ticks in a residential park area inhabited by A. cajennense-infested capybaras in Itú municipality, southeastern Brazil. Host questing A. cajennense adult ticks were collected in the residential park and brought alive to the laboratory, where they were macerated and intraperitoneally inoculated into guinea pigs. A tick-inoculated guinea pig that presented high fever was euthanized and its internal organs were macerated and inoculated into additional guinea pigs (guinea pig passage). Tissue samples from guinea pig passages were also used to inoculate Vero cells through the shell vial technique. Infected cells were used for molecular characterization of the rickettsial isolate through PCR and DNA sequencing of fragments of three rickettsial genes (gltA, ompA, and ompB). Blood serum samples were collected from 172 capybaras that inhabited the residential park. Sera were tested through the immunofluorescence assay using R. rickettsii antigen. RESULTS A tick-inoculated guinea pig presented high fever accompanied by scrotal reactions (edema and marked redness). These signs were reproduced by consecutive guinea pig passages. Rickettsia was successfully isolated in Vero cells that were inoculated with brain homogenate derived from a 3rd passage-febrile guinea pig. Molecular characterization of this rickettsial isolate (designated as strain ITU) yielded DNA sequences that were all 100% identical to corresponding sequences of R. rickettsii in Genbank. A total of 83 (48.3%) out of 172 capybaras were seroreactive to R. rickettsii, with endpoint titers ranging from 64 to 8192. CONCLUSIONS A viable isolate of R. rickettsii was obtained from the tick A. cajennense, comprising the first viable R. rickettsi isolate from this tick species during the last 60 years. Nearly half of the capybara population of the residential park was seroreactive to R. rickettsii, corroborating the findings that the local A. cajennense population was infected by R. rickettsii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe S Krawczak
- Department of Preventive Veterinary medicine and animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508-270, Brazil
| | - Fernanda A Nieri-Bastos
- Department of Preventive Veterinary medicine and animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508-270, Brazil
| | - Fernanda P Nunes
- Veterinary and Technical Responsible by the Association Fazenda Vila Real de Itu - Rodovia Marechal Rondon Km 113.5, Itu, SP 13312-901, Brazil
| | - João F Soares
- Department of Preventive Veterinary medicine and animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508-270, Brazil
| | - Jonas Moraes-Filho
- Department of Preventive Veterinary medicine and animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508-270, Brazil
| | - Marcelo B Labruna
- Department of Preventive Veterinary medicine and animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508-270, Brazil
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Costa-Junior LM, Rembeck K, Mendonça FLDM, Azevedo SC, Passos LMF, Ribeiro MFB. Occurrence of ectoparasites on dogs in rural regions of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 21:237-42. [PMID: 23070433 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612012000300011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2011] [Accepted: 04/14/2012] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The present study examined occurrences of ectoparasites and identified them on dogs in rural regions in Brazil, and assessed the influence of climate on these parasites. Ectoparasites were randomly collected from 194 dogs living on farms located in Lavras (n = 92) and Nanuque (n = 102) during the dry season. During the subsequent rainy season, the same dogs in Lavras (n = 71) and Nanuque (n = 66) were resampled. During the experiment, fleas, ticks, lice and fly larvae were collected. The flea species Ctenocephalides felis was the most common ectoparasite collected from these dogs. The main tick species that infested the dogs in rural areas of Nanuque and Lavras was Amblyomma cajennense. In Lavras, the dogs had high levels of flea infestation (80.4 and 88.7% in the dry and rainy seasons, respectively) and low levels of tick infestation (19.6 and 28.2% in the dry and rainy seasons, respectively), without any significant differences in infestation rates between the seasons. In Nanuque, moderate levels of flea infestation (68.6 and 43.9% in the dry and rainy seasons, respectively) and A. cajennense (65.7 and 47.0% in the dry and rainy seasons, respectively) were observed, with significantly lower prevalence in the rainy season (p < 0.05). The presence of ectoparasites was evident at both times of the year, but the different temperatures may have influenced the occurrences of parasites in Lavras and Nanuque.
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Pires MS, Santos TMD, Santos HA, Vilela JAR, Peixoto MP, Roier ECR, Silva CBD, Barreira JD, Lemos ERSD, Massard CL. Amblyomma cajennense infestation on horses in two microregions of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA 2013; 22:235-42. [DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612013005000017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2012] [Accepted: 12/18/2012] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate factors associated with infestation by Amblyomma cajennense on horses in two microregions of the state of Rio de Janeiro. Horses on 62 farms in the municipalities of the Itaguaí and Serrana microregions were evaluated between January and May 2009. The animals were examined to determine the presence of ticks and infestation level. The animals' rearing and management were assessed on each farm property using an epidemiological questionnaire. Out of the 635 horses evaluated, 41.6% were infested with A. cajennense. It was observed that farms in low-altitude regions (OR=3.69; CI: 2.3-5.8), with unsatisfactory zootechnical and sanitary management (OR=5.92; CI: 3.8-9.2) and an extensive rearing system (OR=4.25; CI: 2.1-8.5) were factors associated with tick infestation (p < 0.05) and also with cases of high infestation on horses. Use of chemical acaricides on horses was also associated with infestation (p < 0.05); the owners described different therapeutic approaches with different treatment intervals. From the present study, low altitudes, unsatisfactory management, extensive rearing and inappropriate use of acaricide products were factors associated with occurrences of A. cajennense at different infestation levels on horses in these municipalities.
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Cançado PHD, Faccini JLH, Herrera HM, Tavares LER, Mourão GM, Piranda EM, Paes RCS, Ribeiro CCDU, Borghesan TC, Piacenti AK, Kinas MA, Santos CC, Ono TM, Paiva F. Host-Parasite Relationship of Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae and Argasidae) and Feral Pigs (Sus scrofa) in the Nhecolândia Region of the Pantanal Wetlands in Mato Grosso do Sul. ISRN PARASITOLOGY 2013; 2013:610262. [PMID: 27335855 PMCID: PMC4890957 DOI: 10.5402/2013/610262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2013] [Accepted: 04/11/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Feral pigs (S. scrofa) were introduced to the Pantanal region around 200 years ago and the population appears to be in expansion. Its eradication is considered to be impossible. The population of feral pigs in the Pantanal wetlands is currently estimated at one million. Two scientific excursions were organized. The first was conducted during the dry season, when 21 feral pigs were captured and the second was during the wet season, when 23 feral pigs were captured. Ticks were collected and the oviposition and hatching process were studied to confirm the biological success of each tick species. Three tick species were found to be feeding on feral pigs: Amblyomma cajennense, A. parvum, and Ornithodoros rostratus. During the dry season, 178 adult A. cajennense were collected, contrasting with 127 A. cajennense specimens in the wet season. This suggests that the seasonality of these ticks in the Brazilian Pantanal wetlands could be different from other regions. The results indicate that A. parvum and A. cajennense are biologically successful parasites in relation to feral pigs. A. cajennense appears to have adapted to this tick-host relationship, as well as the areas where feral pigs are abundant, and could play a role in the amplification of this tick population.
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Affiliation(s)
- P H D Cançado
- Embrapa Beef Cattle, Av. Rádio Maia 830, 79002-970 Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - J L H Faccini
- Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, 23890-000 Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | - H M Herrera
- Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, 79117-010 Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - L E R Tavares
- Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, 79080-190 Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - G M Mourão
- Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation-CPAP, Wild Life Laboratory, 79320-900 Corumbá, MS, Brazil
| | - E M Piranda
- Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, 79080-190 Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - R C S Paes
- Agência Estadual de Defesa Sanitária Animal e Vegetal de Mato Grosso do Sul-IAGRO, 79074-902 Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - C C D U Ribeiro
- Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, 23890-000 Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | - T C Borghesan
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia da Relação Patógeno-Hospedeiro-ICB/USP, 05508-000 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - A K Piacenti
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência Animal-UFMS, 79080-190 Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - M A Kinas
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação-UFMS, 79080-190 Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - C C Santos
- Associação de Proprietários de RPPN do MS, 79002 004 Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - T M Ono
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência Animal-UFMS, 79080-190 Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - F Paiva
- Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, 79080-190 Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
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