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Okely M, Bakkes DK, Chitimia-Dobler L. Morphological abnormalities in Hyalomma dromedarii and Hyalomma rufipes (Acari: Ixodidae) collected from dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Aswan, Egypt. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2022; 88:225-241. [PMID: 36309608 PMCID: PMC9666321 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-022-00747-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The present study reports anomalies in Hyalomma dromedarii and Hyalomma rufipes adults collected from dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Aswan, Egypt, between January and June 2022. A total of 52 adult ticks displayed one or several local and/or general anomalies. A wide variety of local anomalies was observed including atrophy of one or multiple legs, ectromely, absence of accessory adanal and subanal plates, fusion of adanal and accessory plates, and presence of sclerotized formation in the ventral plate, as well as abnormalities of the spiracle, anal groove, festoon, parma, and posteromedian groove. General anomalies comprised of asymmetries and gynandromorphism. Local anomalies were documented among H. dromedarii and H. rufipes, whereas general anomalies were documented only from H. dromedarii. The present work represents the first report of deuterogynander intrigue gynandromorphism in H. dromedarii, as well as the first report of morphological abnormalities in H. dromedarii and H. rufipes from Egypt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Okely
- Entomology Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Abbassia, Cairo, 11566, Egypt.
| | - Deon K Bakkes
- Gertrud Theiler Tick Museum, Agricultural Research Council - Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Pretoria, 0110, South Africa
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Anomalous morphologies in Ixodes scapularis feeding on human hosts. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2022; 13:101993. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.101993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Taank V, Lattanzio FA, Sultana H, Neelakanta G. Double anus in an Ixodes scapularis nymph, a medically important tick vector. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:251. [PMID: 33975641 PMCID: PMC8112061 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04757-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ixodes scapularis ticks are medically important arthropod vectors that transmit several pathogens to humans. The observations of morphological abnormalities, including nanism, missing leg, extra leg, and gynandromorphism, have been reported in these ticks. In this study, we report the presence of two anuses in a laboratory-reared I. scapularis nymph. RESULTS Larval ticks were allowed to feed on mice and to molt to nymphs. Two anuses were observed in one of the freshly molted nymphs. Stereo and scanning electron microscopy confirmed the presence of two anuses in one nymph within a single anal groove. CONCLUSIONS This report confirms the rare occurrence of double anus in I. scapularis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vikas Taank
- Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Frank A Lattanzio
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Hameeda Sultana
- Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA.,Center for Molecular Medicine, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA.,Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA
| | - Girish Neelakanta
- Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA. .,Center for Molecular Medicine, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA. .,Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA.
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Laatamna A, Bakkes DK, Chitimia-Dobler L. Morphological anomalies in Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.s. (Acari: Ixodidae) collected from dogs in steppe and high plateaus regions, Algeria. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2021; 83:575-582. [PMID: 33661417 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-021-00599-2] [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: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The present report describes morphological anomalies in Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.s. collected from dogs between February 2017 and May 2019 in the steppic region of Djelfa and high plateau area of Bordj-Bou-Arreridj in Algeria. Out of 1043 ticks from 147 infested dogs, four adult ticks (0.38%), collected from four dogs, exhibited local morphological abnormalities. One male displayed ectromely of leg I left, and the other three specimens exhibited multiple associated anomalies in idiosomas and exoskeletons, festoons, stigmas (spiracles), as well as in adanal and accessory plates. This report provides additional exemplars of morphological abnormalities in tick populations of Africa, particularly North Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- AbdElkarim Laatamna
- Laboratory of Exploration and Valorisation of Steppic Ecosystems, Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences, University of Djelfa, BP 3117, Moudjbara Road, Djelfa, Algeria.
| | - Deon K Bakkes
- Gertrud Theiler Tick Museum, Agricultural Research Council-Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Pretoria, South Africa
- Evolutionary Genomics Group, Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
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Molaei G, Little EAH. A case of morphological anomalies in Amblyomma americanum (Acari: Ixodidae) collected from nature. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2020; 81:279-285. [PMID: 32500391 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-020-00510-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
We describe a case of morphological anomalies in Amblyomma americanum, a medically important species associated with several human diseases and medical conditions. Based on morphological characters using dichotomous morphological keys, high-resolution light microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy imaging, the tick was identified as Am. americanum nymph exhibiting various morphological anomalies including ectromely associate with asymmetry, olygomely (lack) of the fourth left leg, and schizomely (bifurcation of palpus) on the right side. We believe this is the first report of the presence of several spontaneous anomalies in one Am. americanum specimen. Morphological identity of the specimen was corroborated by DNA sequencing of the mitochondrial 16S region. We discuss recent reports of morphological anomalies in ixodid ticks and emphasize the significance of additional studies of teratology in medically important tick species and its potential implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Goudarz Molaei
- Department of Environmental Sciences, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington Street, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA.
- Center for Vector Biology & Zoonotic Diseases, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington Street, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA.
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, P.O. Box 208034, 60 College Street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
| | - Eliza A H Little
- Center for Vector Biology & Zoonotic Diseases, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington Street, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
- Department of Entomology, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington Street, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
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A seven-legged tick: Report of a morphological anomaly in Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) biting a human host from the Northeastern United States. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2019; 11:101304. [PMID: 31564642 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.101304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Revised: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 09/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Cases of morphological anomalies in the blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae), have recently been reported from the Northeastern and upper Midwestern United States, potentially complicating identification of this important vector of human disease-causing pathogens. We hereby report a case of a morphological anomaly in I. scapularis, biting a human host residing in Norwich, Connecticut. Using a dichotomous morphological key, high-resolution and scanning electron microscopy images, as well as DNA sequencing, the tick was identified as an adult female I. scapularis with three legs on the left side of the abdomen versus four on the right side, which we believe is the first case of ectromely in an adult I. scapularis. Using diagnostic genes in polymerase chain reaction, the specimen tested positive for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Anaplasma phagocytophilum, the causative agents for Lyme disease and anaplasmosis, respectively, and also showed evidence of a rickettsial endosymbiont. Here we discuss recent reports of morphological anomalies in I. scapularis, and emphasize the significance of additional studies of teratology in this important tick species and its potential implications.
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Balinandi S, Mugisha L, Bbira J, Kabasa W, Nakayiki T, Bakkes DK, Lutwama JJ, Chitimia-Dobler L, Malmberg M. General and Local Morphological Anomalies in Amblyomma lepidum (Acari: Ixodidae) and Rhipicephalus decoloratus Infesting Cattle in Uganda. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2019; 56:873-877. [PMID: 30576463 PMCID: PMC6467642 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjy221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Morphological abnormalities in ticks seem to be rare phenomena in nature, and are underreported in Africa. In this article, we describe general and local anomalies in two Amblyomma lepidum females and one Rhipicephalus decoloratus female collected from cattle in Moroto and Kasese districts, Uganda. One A. lepidum specimen displayed metagynander gynandromorphism with the presence of both male and female features in the same organism. The second A. lepidum female showed slight asymmetry and lacked a genital aperture. The R. decoloratus displayed multiple anomalies that included asymmetry on the right side in association with ectromely, chitinous formations and constrictions on the left side. This article presents the first report of metagynander gynandromorphism, as well as genital aperture absence which is not linked to gynandromorphism, in A. lepidum collected from cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Balinandi
- Department of Arbovirology, Emerging and Reemrging Infections, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources & Biosecurity (COVAB), Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Lawrence Mugisha
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources & Biosecurity (COVAB), Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- Ecohealth Research Group, Conservation & Ecosystem Health Alliance (CEHA), Kampala, Uganda
| | - Johnson Bbira
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources & Biosecurity (COVAB), Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - William Kabasa
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources & Biosecurity (COVAB), Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Teddy Nakayiki
- Department of Arbovirology, Emerging and Reemrging Infections, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Deon K Bakkes
- Gertrud Theiler Tick Museum, Epidemiology, Parasites and Vectors, Agricultural Research Council – Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Julius J Lutwama
- Department of Arbovirology, Emerging and Reemrging Infections, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Lidia Chitimia-Dobler
- Department of Virology-Rickettsiology, Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Munich, Germany
- Parasitology Unit, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Maja Malmberg
- Section of Virology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
- SLU Global Bioinformatics Centre, Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
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Molaei G, Little EA. A nine-legged tick: Report of a morphological anomaly in the blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) from the northeastern United States. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2018.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Soghigian J, Ridge GE, Stafford KC, Molaei G. The First Evidence of Nanism in Ixodes (Ixodes) scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae), Found Parasitizing a Human Host. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2017; 54:1224-1228. [PMID: 28591843 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjx111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Ixodes scapularis Say 1821, the primary vector of several human pathogens in the northeastern and upper Midwestern United States, has considerable genetic and morphological variation throughout its range. Recently, developmental or teratological abnormalities have been observed in this species for the first time, further complicating morphological identification. Here, we report the first evidence of nanism (dwarfism) in I. scapularis, found parasitizing a human host. We used molecular methods and scanning electron microscopy to identify the specimen. Morphological identification confirmed that the specimen is substantially smaller, approximately half the size, than a typical I. scapularis female. Here we discuss the recent reports of teratological abnormalities in I. scapularis, particularly from the Hudson River valley region of the northeastern United States, and highlight the need for additional studies of teratology in this important species and its potential implications in disease transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Soghigian
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Center for Vector Biology & Zoonotic Diseases, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington St., New Haven, CT 06511
| | - Gale E Ridge
- Department of Entomology, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington St., New Haven, CT 06511
| | - Kirby C Stafford
- Department of Entomology and Center for Vector Biology & Zoonotic Diseases, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington St., New Haven, CT 06511
| | - Goudarz Molaei
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Center for Vector Biology & Zoonotic Diseases, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington St., New Haven, CT 06511
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, School of Public Health, Yale University, 60 College St., P.O. Box 208034, New Haven, CT 06520-8034
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Chitimia-Dobler L, Bestehorn M, Bröker M, Borde J, Molcanyi T, Andersen NS, Pfeffer M, Dobler G. Morphological anomalies in Ixodes ricinus and Ixodes inopinatus collected from tick-borne encephalitis natural foci in Central Europe. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2017; 72:379-397. [PMID: 28755284 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-017-0163-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2017] [Accepted: 07/22/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
In 2015, 0.02% nymphs displayed anomalies (ectromely) out of the 6744 collected ticks as part of a tick-borne encephalitis program in Germany. In 2016, questing Ixodes ricinus (n = 14,527) and Ixodes inopinatus (n = 75) ticks were collected by flagging as part of a tick-borne encephalitis program in Germany, Slovakia and Denmark. A total of 278 (1.9%) out of 14,602 nymph and adult ticks showed morphological anomalies. The anomalies were divided into general anomalies (body asymmetry) and local anomalies (anomalies of appendages, malformation of capitulum, exoskeleton anomalies and anal groove deformation) with nymphs being the most affected life stage. Most important, leg atrophy was the most common anomaly (209 nymphs, 11 females and three males) followed by asymmetry (10 nymphs, five females and a male) and ectromely (nine nymphs). Two females and one male displayed multiple anomalies on legs, palps and exoskeleton. Anal groove deformation was observed in three females and three nymphs. In 2016, the frequency of anomalies in I. inopinatus was found five times higher (9.3%) than in I. ricinus (1.9%). This is the first report of anomaly (ectromely, leg atrophy, idiosoma deformation) in flagged I. inopinatus and the first report of schizomely in I. ricinus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidia Chitimia-Dobler
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Neuherbergstrasse 11, 80937, Munich, Germany.
- German Center of Infection Research (DZIF) Partner Munich, Munich, Germany.
| | - Malena Bestehorn
- Parasitology Unit, University of Hohenheim, Emil-Wolff-Str. 35, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Michael Bröker
- , Pappelweg 30, 35041, Marburg, Federal State Hesse, Germany
| | - Johannes Borde
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University Medical Center Freiburg, Hugstetterstraße 55, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
- Praxis Dr. Borde, Am Markplatz 8, 77704, Oberkirch, Germany
| | - Tomas Molcanyi
- Surgeon General Office, Armed Forces of Slovak Republic, gen. M. Vesela 23, Ružomberok, Slovakia
| | - Nanna Skaarup Andersen
- Clinical Center of Emerging and Vector-Borne Infections, Odense University Hospital and Research Unit of Clinical Microbiology, University of Southern, Odense, Denmark
| | - Martin Pfeffer
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, Veterinary Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Gerhard Dobler
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Neuherbergstrasse 11, 80937, Munich, Germany
- German Center of Infection Research (DZIF) Partner Munich, Munich, Germany
- Parasitology Unit, University of Hohenheim, Emil-Wolff-Str. 35, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
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