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Sales DP, Silva-Junior MHS, Tavares CP, Sousa IC, Sousa DM, Brito DRB, Camargo AM, Leite RC, Faccini JLH, Lopes WDZ, Labruna MB, Luz HR, Costa-Junior LM. Biology of the non-parasitic phase of the cattle tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus in an area of Amazon influence. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:129. [PMID: 38486221 PMCID: PMC10938741 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06220-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus is the most important tick species affecting cattle in the world. Under field conditions, the non-parasitic phase of R. (B.) microplus is unknown in the Amazon biome, including Brazil. The present study aimed to evaluate the non-parasitic phase of R. (B.) microplus in field (grass plots) and laboratory conditions. METHODS The study was conducted from September 2020 to April 2022 in an Amazonian region (Maranhão State, Brazil). We evaluated the biological parameters of R. (B.) microplus under laboratory and field conditions. Engorged females were exposed to experimental conditions every 14 days, totaling 20 months of study. The following biological parameters were observed: pre-oviposition period, egg mass incubation period, and maximum larval survival period. RESULTS Abiotic data (e.g., temperature and humidity) varied little throughout the year. Precipitation was the factor that varied the most throughout the year (dry ~ 30 mm3 and rain 400 mm3), and the parameters of pre-oviposition and pre-hatching are longer during the rainy season. A possible negative effect of the dry season on the percentage of hatched eggs was observed. Larval longevity in the plots of both control and free females was short (mean ~ 50-60 days), below that recorded for larvae under controlled conditions (mean ~ 95 days). CONCLUSIONS Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus was able to complete its non-parasitic phase by producing host-seeking larvae in the pasture during all months of the study. The results indicate that R. (B.) microplus can complete up to six generations per year in biome Amazon. To our knowledge, this is the highest number of annual generations for R. (B.) microplus in Latin America.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela P Sales
- Post-Graduation Program in Animal Health Defense, State University of Maranhão, Maranhão, Brazil
| | | | - Caio P Tavares
- Laboratory of Parasite Control, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil
| | - Isabella C Sousa
- Laboratory of Parasite Control, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil
| | - Dauana M Sousa
- Laboratory of Parasite Control, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil
| | - Danilo R B Brito
- Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Maranhão, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil
| | - André M Camargo
- Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Maranhão, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil
| | - Romário Cerqueira Leite
- Post-Graduation Program in Animal Health Defense, State University of Maranhão, Maranhão, Brazil
| | - J L H Faccini
- Post‑Graduation Program in Health Sciences, Center of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brazil
| | - Welber D Z Lopes
- School of Veterinary and Zootechny of the Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Marcelo B Labruna
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Hermes R Luz
- Laboratory of Parasite Control, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil.
- Post‑Graduation Program in Northeast Biotechnology Network (RENORBIO), Biodiversity and Conservation, Center of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brazil.
| | - Livio M Costa-Junior
- Laboratory of Parasite Control, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil
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de Araújo FES, Martins TF, Ramos CCM, Nogueira RMS, Faccini JLH, Tavares MA, de Lima NJ, de Almeida Júnior EB, de Sousa-Paula LC, Dantas-Torres F, da Silva Krawczak F, Costa-Junior LM, Labruna MB, Dall Agnol LT, Luz HR. Seasonal dynamics of Amblyomma cajennense (Fabricius, 1787) sensu stricto in a degraded area of the Amazon biome, with notes on Rickettsia amblyommatis infection. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:391. [PMID: 37891604 PMCID: PMC10612284 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05978-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The tick Amblyomma cajennense sensu stricto (A. cajennense s.s.) frequently parasitizes animals and humans in the Amazon biome, in addition to being a vector of Rickettsia amblyommatis. In the present study, we evaluated both the population dynamics of A. cajennense s.s. in a degraded area of the Amazon biome and the presence of rickettsial organisms in this tick population. METHODS The study was carried out in a rural area of the Santa Inês municipality (altitude: 24 m a.s.l.), Maranhão state, Brazil. Ticks were collected from the environment for 24 consecutive months, from June 2021 to May 2023. The region is characterized by two warm seasons: a rainy season (November-May) and a dry season (June-October). We characterized the temporal activity of A. cajennense s.s. on the vegetation by examining questing activity for each life stage (larvae, nymphs, adults [males and females]) in relation to the dry and rainy season. Ticks collected in this study were randomly selected and individually tested by a TaqMan real-time PCR assay that targeted a 147-bp fragment of the rickettsial gltA gene. RESULTS Overall, 1843 (62.4%) adults (52.6% females, 47.4% males), 1110 (37.6%) nymphs and 398 larval clusters were collected. All adult females and nymphs were morphologically identified as A. cajennense s.s. Larval activity was observed from April to December, with a peak from June to September (dry season); nymph abundance peaked from September to November (transition period between dry and rainy seasons); and adult ticks were abundant from October to May (spring/summer/early autumn). The infection rate by R. amblyommatis in A. cajennense s.s. ticks was at least 7% (7/99). CONCLUSION Our data suggest a 1-year generation pattern for A. cajennense s.s., with a well-defined seasonality of larvae, nymphs and adults in the Amazon biome. Larvae predominate during the dry season, nymphs are most abundant in the dry-rainy season transition and adults are most abundant in the rainy season. The presence of R. amblyommatis in adult ticks suggests that animals and humans in the study region are at risk of infection by this species belonging to the spotted fever group of Rickettsia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Thiago Fernandes Martins
- Pasteur Institute, São Paulo State Department of Health, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - João Luiz Horacio Faccini
- Post-Graduation Program in Health Sciences, Center of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brazil
| | | | | | - Eduardo Bezerra de Almeida Júnior
- Post-Graduation Program in Biodiversity and Conservation, Center of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brazil
| | - Lucas Christian de Sousa-Paula
- Tick-Pathogen Transmission Unit, Laboratory of Bacteriology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Filipe Dantas-Torres
- Department of Immunology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Recife, PE, Brazil
| | | | - Livio Martins Costa-Junior
- Post-Graduation Program in Northeast Biotechnology Network (RENORBIO), Biodiversity and Conservation, Center of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Bahia Labruna
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Hermes Ribeiro Luz
- Post-Graduation Program in Health and Environment, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brazil.
- Post-Graduation Program in Northeast Biotechnology Network (RENORBIO), Biodiversity and Conservation, Center of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brazil.
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Bassini-Silva R, Jacinavicius FDC, Oliveira M, Peinado LC, Faxina C, Moreira-Lima L, Welbourn C, Ochoa R, Fischer E, Hingst-Zaher E, Famadas KM, Faccini JLH, Barros-Battesti DM. A Revision of Parasecia (Trombidiformes: Trombiculidae) With a Description of a New Species, a New Genus and a Key to Species. J Med Entomol 2021; 58:146-181. [PMID: 32845006 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjaa149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Chiggers of the genus Parasecia Loomis parasitize birds, mammals, and reptiles in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions. In the present review, we examined 18 species previously included in the genus, 15 of them being retained in the genus Parasecia, one genus is created, Nahuacarus bulbocalcarn. gen. (Trombidiformes: Trombiculidae), and new combinations are proposed for two species: Lorillatum lasiurusn. comb. and Lorillatum orphanan. comb. (Trombidiformes: Trombiculidae). In addition, Parasecia kansasensis (Loomis) (Trombidiformes: Trombiculidae) is synonymized with Parasecia gurneyi (Ewing) (Trombidiformes: Trombiculidae), Parasecia gilbetoin. sp. (Trombidiformes: Trombiculidae) is described and new locality and host records are added for Parasecia chara (Wharton), Parasecia longicalcar (Brennan and Jones), Parasecia manueli (Brennan and Jones), and Parasecia thalurania (Brennan) (Trombidiformes: Trombiculidae).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Bassini-Silva
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Laboratório Especial de Coleções Zoológicas, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Mariana Oliveira
- Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | - Laura Contreras Peinado
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Claudenice Faxina
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | | | - Cal Welbourn
- Florida State Collection of Arthropods, Division of Plant Industry, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Gainesville, FL
| | - Ronald Ochoa
- Systematic Entomology Laboratory, Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville, MD
| | - Erich Fischer
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
- Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | | | - Kátia M Famadas
- Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | - João Luiz Horacio Faccini
- Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | - Darci Moraes Barros-Battesti
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Departamento de Patologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias-UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
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Faccini JLH, Luz HR, McIntosh D, Labruna MB. Tick-borne rickettsioses in Brazil: what lessons can be learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 29:e012220. [PMID: 32667504 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612020056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
In this commentary, the authors highlight the importance of basic research in the field of public health regarding the recent pandemic Covid-19, using tick-borne rickettsioses as an example. In addition, they alert politicians, government officials and managers of research funding agencies to increase the allocated financial resources to enhance basic research on public health in Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Luiz Horacio Faccini
- Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brasil
| | - Hermes Ribeiro Luz
- Departamento de Patologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brasil
| | - Douglas McIntosh
- Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brasil
| | - Marcelo Bahia Labruna
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
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Pires MS, Luz HR, Peckle M, Silva CBD, Vitari GLV, Costa RLD, Graciosa MG, Santos HA, Faccini JLH, Massard CL. Occurrences of Ornithocoris toledoi (Cimicidae) on a free-range chicken farm in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Rev Bras Parasitol Vet 2018; 27:396-400. [PMID: 29898199 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-296120180036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Accepted: 04/06/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Ornithocoris toledoi is a hematophagous insect that parasites birds, particularly, galliformes. Although the occurrence of this arthropod is relatively low in Brazil, this is an important ectoparasite associated with backyarding poultry. The objective of this study was to report the occurrence of O. toledoi in a free-range chicken farm in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, including aspects of its taxonomic identification, biology and epidemiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus Sandes Pires
- Núcleo de Animais de Laboratório, Pró-reitoria de Pesquisa e Pós-graduação e Inovação, Universidade Federal Fluminense - UFF, Niterói, RJ, Brasil
| | - Hermes Ribeiro Luz
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Maristela Peckle
- Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro - UFRRJ, Seropédica, RJ, Brasil
| | - Claudia Bezerra da Silva
- Departamento de Epidemiologia e Saúde Pública, Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro - UFRRJ, Seropédica, RJ, Brasil
| | - Gabriela Lopes Vivas Vitari
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro - UFRRJ, Seropédica, RJ, Brasil
| | - Renata Lins da Costa
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro - UFRRJ, Seropédica, RJ, Brasil
| | - Mariana Guimarães Graciosa
- Departamento de Produção Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Centro de Ensino Superior de Valença - CESVA, Valença, RJ, Brasil
| | - Huarrisson Azevedo Santos
- Departamento de Epidemiologia e Saúde Pública, Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro - UFRRJ, Seropédica, RJ, Brasil
| | - João Luiz Horacio Faccini
- Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro - UFRRJ, Seropédica, RJ, Brasil
| | - Carlos Luiz Massard
- Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro - UFRRJ, Seropédica, RJ, Brasil
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Luz HR, Bezerra BB, Flausino W, Marcili A, Muñoz-Leal S, Faccini JLH. First record of Ornithodoros faccinii (Acari: Argasidae) on toads of genus Rhinella (Anura: Bufonidae) in Brazil. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 27:390-395. [PMID: 29846455 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-296120180032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2017] [Accepted: 03/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Although a group of soft ticks (Argasidae) associated with amphibians was recently discovered in Brazilian rainforests, parasitism by these ticks on cold-blooded animals remains less common than on mammal and bird species. In this study, we identified ticks that were collected from toads that had been caught in December 2016 and January 2017, at Itinguçú waterfall (22°54'05" S; 43°53'30" W) in the municipality of Itaguaí, state of Rio de Janeiro. Tick specimens were identified using a morphological and molecular approach. In total, twelve larvae of Ornithodoros ticks were collected from three individuals of Rhinella ornata and were identified as Ornithodoros faccinii. Our results include a longer 16S rRNA mitochondrial sequence for O. faccinii that supports its phylogenetic relatedness to Ornithodoros saraivai, and we report this tick species parasitizing Rhinella toads for the first time in Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hermes Ribeiro Luz
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Escola de Medicina Veterinária e Ciência Animal, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Bruna Barboza Bezerra
- Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro - UFRRJ, Seropédica, RJ, Brasil
| | - Walter Flausino
- Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro - UFRRJ, Seropédica, RJ, Brasil
| | - Arlei Marcili
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Escola de Medicina Veterinária e Ciência Animal, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.,Programa de Medicina Animal e Bem-Estar, Universidade de Santo Amaro - UNISA, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Sebastián Muñoz-Leal
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Escola de Medicina Veterinária e Ciência Animal, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - João Luiz Horacio Faccini
- Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro - UFRRJ, Seropédica, RJ, Brasil
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Luz HR, Costa Neto SFD, Weksler M, Gentile R, Faccini JLH. Ticks parasitizing wild mammals in Atlantic Forest areas in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 27:409-414. [PMID: 29846459 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-296120180027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2018] [Accepted: 03/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Mammals captured in the Serra dos Órgãos National Park (PARNASO) and the Pedra Branca State Park (PBSP) between 2012 and 2015 were examined for the presence of ticks. In total, 140 mammals were examined, and 34 specimens were found to be parasitized by ticks. Didelphis aurita, Akodon montensis and Oligoryzomys nigripes were the species most parasitized. From these specimens, 146 ticks were collected, including 10 larvae. The ticks belonged to eight species: one in the genus Ixodes and seven in the genus Amblyomma. This study reports new associations of ticks and wild mammals in Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hermes Ribeiro Luz
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Escola de Medicina Veterinária e Ciência Animal, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Sócrates Fraga da Costa Neto
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Biodiversidade e Saúde, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz - Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.,Laboratório de Biologia e Parasitologia de Mamíferos Silvestres, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz - Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Marcelo Weksler
- Departamento de Vertebrados, Museu Nacional, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro - UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Rosana Gentile
- Laboratório de Biologia e Parasitologia de Mamíferos Silvestres, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz - Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - João Luiz Horacio Faccini
- Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro - UFRRJ, Seropédica, RJ, Brasil
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Luz HR, Faccini JLH, McIntosh D. Molecular analyses reveal an abundant diversity of ticks and rickettsial agents associated with wild birds in two regions of primary Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2017; 8:657-665. [PMID: 28479066 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2017.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2016] [Revised: 04/17/2017] [Accepted: 04/18/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Brazilian wild birds are recognized as frequent and important hosts for immature stages of more than half of the 32 recognized species of Amblyomma ticks recorded in that country. Several species of Amblyomma harbor rickettsial agents, including members of the spotted fever group (SFG). Most studies on this topic relied primarily on morphological characterization and reported large portions of the collected ticks at the genus rather than species level. Clearly, this factor may have contributed to an underestimation of tick diversity and distribution and makes comparisons between studies difficult. The current investigation combined morphological and molecular analyses to assess the diversity of ticks and rickettsial agents associated with wild birds, captured in two regions of native Atlantic rainforest, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A total of 910 birds were captured, representing two orders, 34 families and 106 species, among which 93 specimens (10.2%), were parasitized by 138 immature ticks (60 larvae and 78 nymphs), representing 10 recognized species of the genus Amblyomma; together with two reasonably well classified haplotypes (Amblyomma sp. haplotype Nazaré and Amblyomma sp. strain USNTC 6792). Amplification by PCR and sequencing of rickettsial genes (htrA, gltA, ompA and ompB), demonstrated the presence of Rickettsia DNA in 48 (34%) of the ticks. Specifically, Rickettsia bellii was detected in a single larva and a single nymph of A. aureolatum; R. amblyomatis was found in 16 of 37 A. longirostre and was recorded for the first time in three nymphs of A. calcaratum; R. rhipicephali was detected in 9 (47%) of 19 Amblyomma sp. haplotype Nazaré ticks. The remaining ticks were infected with genetic variants of R. parkeri, namely strain ApPR in 12 A. parkeri and seven Amblyomma sp. haplotype Nazaré ticks, with the strain NOD found in two specimens of A. nodosum. Interestingly, a single larvae of A. ovale was shown to be infected with the emerging human pathogen Rickettsia sp. strain Atlantic rainforest (ARF), suggesting a possible role for birds in the dispersal of ticks infected with this variant of R. parkeri. The diversity of ticks and Rickettsia recorded in this study is, to our knowledge, the most abundant recorded to date in Brazil and highlighted the value of employing methods capable of providing species level identification of the ixodofauna of wild birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hermes Ribeiro Luz
- Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, UFRRJ, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - João Luiz Horacio Faccini
- Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, UFRRJ, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Douglas McIntosh
- Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, UFRRJ, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Luz HR, Muñoz-Leal S, Almeida JCD, Faccini JLH, Labruna MB. Ticks parasitizing bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) in the Caatinga Biome, Brazil. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016; 25:484-491. [PMID: 27982297 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612016083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2016] [Accepted: 10/31/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
In this paper, the authors report ticks parasitizing bats from the Serra das Almas Natural Reserve (RPPN) located in the municipality of Crateús, state of Ceará, in the semiarid Caatinga biome of northeastern Brazil. The study was carried out during nine nights in the dry season (July 2012) and 10 nights in the rainy season (February 2013). Only bats of the Phyllostomidae and Mormoopidae families were parasitized by ticks. The species Artibeus planirostris and Carolia perspicillata were the most parasitized. A total of 409 larvae were collected and classified into three genera: Antricola (n = 1), Nothoaspis (n = 1) and Ornithodoros (n = 407). Four species were morphologically identified as Nothoaspis amazoniensis, Ornithodoros cavernicolous, Ornithodoros fonsecai, Ornithodoros hasei, and Ornithodoros marinkellei. Ornithodoros hasei was the most common tick associated with bats in the current study. The present study expand the distributional ranges of at least three soft ticks into the Caatinga biome, and highlight an unexpected richness of argasid ticks inhabiting this arid ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hermes Ribeiro Luz
- Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro - UFRRJ, Seropédica, RJ, Brasil
| | - Sebastián Muñoz-Leal
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Juliana Cardoso de Almeida
- Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro - UFRRJ, Seropédica, RJ, Brasil
| | - João Luiz Horacio Faccini
- Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro - UFRRJ, Seropédica, RJ, Brasil
| | - Marcelo Bahia Labruna
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
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Zeringóta V, Maturano R, Luz HR, Senra TOS, Daemon E, Faccini JLH, McIntosh D. Molecular detection of Rickettsia rhipicephali and other spotted fever group Rickettsia species in Amblyomma ticks infesting wild birds in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2016; 8:81-89. [PMID: 27745888 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2016.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2016] [Revised: 09/23/2016] [Accepted: 10/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The current study evaluated parasitism of wild birds by ticks in a fragment of Atlantic Forest in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, and examined the ticks for rickettsial agents. Birds were captured during 2014 and 2015 and ticks were identified by sequencing fragments of the 16S and 12S ribosomal DNA. Among 260 birds representing 19 families and 52 species, a total of 69 (26.5%) were found to be infested by larvae (LL) and/or nymphs (NN) of Amblyomma longirostre (Koch, 1844) (45 LL, 4 NN), Amblyomma calcaratum Neumann, 1899 (9 LL, 15 NN), Amblyomma nodosum Neumann, 1899 (2 NN), Amblyomma parkeri Fonseca and Aragão, 1952 (21 LL), Amblyomma sp. haplotype Nazaré (77 LL), and Haemaphysalis leporispalustris (Packard, 1869) (17 LL, 1 NN). The use of PCR and sequencing of the rickettsial genes gltA, htrA, ompA and ompB, revealed the presence of "Candidatus Rickettsia amblyommii" in A. longirostre (13/49; 26%) and Rickettsia parkeri (strain ApPR) in both A. parkeri (1/21; 5%) and haplotype Nazaré (42/77; 55%) ticks. In addition, we detected Rickettsia rhipicephali in 31 (40%) of the 77 haplotype Nazaré ticks. This is the first record of this rickettsial agent in a species of the genus Amblyomma. The pathogenic potential of this bacterium is undetermined, but the unprecedented association with Amblyomma ticks may represent a cause for concern for public and/or animal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviane Zeringóta
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, UFRRJ, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
| | - Ralph Maturano
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, UFRRJ, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
| | - Hermes Ribeiro Luz
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, UFRRJ, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
| | - Tatiane Oliveira Souza Senra
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, UFRRJ, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
| | - Erik Daemon
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciências Biológicas - Comportamento e Biologia Animal, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, UFJF, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brasil.
| | - João Luiz Horacio Faccini
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, UFRRJ, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
| | - Douglas McIntosh
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, UFRRJ, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
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Luz HR, Faccini JLH, Landulfo GA, Costa Neto SF, Famadas KM. New records for Amblyomma sculptum (Ixodidae) on non-passerine birds in Brazil. Rev Bras Parasitol Vet 2016; 25:124-6. [DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612016004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2015] [Accepted: 06/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Abstract The aim of this paper was to provide new records of Amblyomma sculptum on two species of terricolous birds in two areas of the Cerrado (savannah- like) bioma: two specimens of Cariama cristata were captured in the state of Goiás and one specimen ofCrax fasciolata was captured in the state of Minas Gerais. One of the C. cristata was parasitized by 15 larvae, six nymphs, one male and two females whereas the C. fasciolata was parasitized by seven larvae and eight nymphs. This paper presents a new locality for occurrence of parasitism A. sculptum in C. cristata and a new host for C fasciolata.
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Zeringóta V, Maturano R, Santolin ÍDAC, McIntosh D, Famadas KM, Daemon E, Faccini JLH. New host records of Haemaphysalis leporispalustris (Acari: Ixodidae) on birds in Brazil. Parasitol Res 2016; 115:2107-10. [PMID: 26965425 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-016-4978-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2016] [Accepted: 03/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Birds are an important component of the life histories and bioecology of a number of tick species and of some tick associated pathogens. An examination of the data concerning bird/tick associations in the Neotropics, showed that the tick Haemaphysalis leporispalustrisis (Packard, 1869) was rarely recorded infesting birds. The current study reports parasitism by H. leporispalustris in wild birds collected from Atlantic rain forest environments in the states of Rio de Janeiro (4LL) and Minas Gerais (17LL, 1NN), Brazil. All ticks were identified morphologically to the genus level; total DNA was extracted from each Haemaphysalis tick and examined by PCR and nucleotide sequencing of fragments of the eukaryotic genes encoding 16S rRNA and 12S rRNA. The bird species Arremon semitorquatus, Corythopis delalandi, Fluvicola nengeta, Troglodytes musculus, and Volatinia jacarina were recorded as hosts for H. leporispalustris for the first time in South America, and Turdus rufiventris represented a new record for Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviane Zeringóta
- Program in Veterinary Sciences, Parasitology Animal Department, Rio de Janeiro Federal Rural University, UFRRJ, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Ralph Maturano
- Program in Veterinary Sciences, Parasitology Animal Department, Rio de Janeiro Federal Rural University, UFRRJ, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ísis Daniele Alves Costa Santolin
- Program in Veterinary Sciences, Parasitology Animal Department, Rio de Janeiro Federal Rural University, UFRRJ, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Douglas McIntosh
- Program in Veterinary Sciences, Parasitology Animal Department, Rio de Janeiro Federal Rural University, UFRRJ, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Kátia Maria Famadas
- Program in Veterinary Sciences, Parasitology Animal Department, Rio de Janeiro Federal Rural University, UFRRJ, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Erik Daemon
- Program in Animal Behavior and Biology, Juiz de Fora Federal University, UFJF, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - João Luiz Horacio Faccini
- Program in Veterinary Sciences, Parasitology Animal Department, Rio de Janeiro Federal Rural University, UFRRJ, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Landulfo GA, Luz HR, Sampaio JS, Faccini JLH, Barros-Battesti DM. Life Cycle of Amblyomma romitii (Acari: Ixodidae) Under Laboratory Conditions. J Med Entomol 2016; 53:48-53. [PMID: 26487244 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjv160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2015] [Accepted: 09/24/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The life cycle of Amblyomma romitii Tonelli-Rondelli, 1939 is reported for the first time, using rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) for larvae and capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) for nymphs and adults, as experimental hosts. Developmental periods of free-living stages were observed in an incubator at 27 ± 1°C, 80 ± 10% relative humidity (RH), and 24-h darkness. The life cycle of A. romitii in the laboratory could be completed in an average period of 216.4 d. The overall sex ratio (M:F) was 1:1.4. The results showed that rabbits are quite suitable as experimental hosts for the larval stages of A. romitii, while capybaras are suitable experimental hosts for nymphs and adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- G A Landulfo
- Special Laboratory of the Zoological Collection, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil (; ), Department of Animal Parasitology, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil (; ; ), and
| | - H R Luz
- Department of Animal Parasitology, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil (; ; ), and
| | - J S Sampaio
- Department of Animal Parasitology, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil (; ; ), and
| | - J L H Faccini
- Department of Animal Parasitology, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil (; ; ), and
| | - D M Barros-Battesti
- Special Laboratory of the Zoological Collection, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil (; ), Department of Animal Parasitology, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil (; ; ), and
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McIntosh D, Bezerra RA, Luz HR, Faccini JLH, Gaiotto FA, Giné GAF, Albuquerque GR. Detection of Rickettsia bellii and Rickettsia amblyommii in Amblyomma longirostre (Acari: Ixodidae) from Bahia state, Northeast Brazil. Braz J Microbiol 2015; 46:879-83. [PMID: 26413074 PMCID: PMC4568851 DOI: 10.1590/s1517-838246320140623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2014] [Accepted: 02/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies investigating rickettsial infections in ticks parasitizing wild animals in
the Northeast region of Brazil have been confined to the detection of
Rickettsia amblyommii in immature stages of Amblyomma
longirostre collected from birds in the state of Bahia, and in immatures
and females of Amblyomma auriculariumcollected from the striped
hog-nosed skunk (Conepatus semistriatus) and armadillos
(Euphractus sexcinctus) in the state of Pernambuco. The current
study extends the distribution of R. amblyommii (strain Aranha),
which was detected in A. longirostre collected from the thin-spined
porcupine Chaetomys subspinosus and the hairy dwarf porcupine
Coendou insidiosus. In addition, we report the first detection of
Rickettsia bellii in adults of A. longirostre
collected from C. insidiosus in the state of Bahia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas McIntosh
- Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Alves Bezerra
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, BA, Brazil
| | - Hermes Ribeiro Luz
- Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | - João Luiz Horacio Faccini
- Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Amato Gaiotto
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, BA, Brazil
| | | | - George Rego Albuquerque
- Departamento de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, BA, Brazil
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Luz HR, Faccini JLH, Silva HRD. Patterns of parasitism by Amblyomma rotundatum (Ixodidae) on Rhinella schneideri (Bufonidae) in islands of São Francisco River, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Pesq Vet Bras 2015. [DOI: 10.1590/s0100-736x2015000600016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Abstract: We sampled ticks from specimens of the rococo toad Rhinella schneideriby flannel dragging on two Islands located in the São Francisco River near the Três Marias hydroelectric dam, southeastern Brazil. A total of 120 toads was examined, of which 63 (52.5%) were parasitized only by Amblyomma rotundatumtotaling 96 larvae, 163 nymphs and 134 females. The burden of parasitism ranged from one to 43 ticks, with a mean intensity of infestation of 6.2±5.5 ticks per host. The tick A. rotundatumexhibited highly aggregated distribution. Peak abundance of larvae and nymphs occurred in the dry season (May to September), whereas peak abundance of females occurred in the wet season (October to April). We collected most ticks near the head and hind limbs of R. schneideri. The finding of two engorged A. rotundatumnymphs in the same resting places of two toads and the absence of this species in the dragged areas suggest a nidicolous behavior at the studied site.
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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 Parasitol 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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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Luz HR, Faccini JLH, Pires MS, da Silva HR, Barros-Battesti DM. Life cycle and behavior of Amblyomma rotundatum (Acari: Ixodidae) under laboratory conditions and remarks on parasitism of toads in Brazil. Exp Appl Acarol 2013; 60:55-62. [PMID: 23100108 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-012-9628-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2012] [Accepted: 10/10/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The life cycle and behavior of Amblyomma rotundatum were evaluated under laboratory conditions. The experiment started with four engorged females collected from toads (Rhinella schneideri) naturally infested at the Pirapitinga Ecological Station in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Developmental periods of free-living stages were assessed in an incubator at 27 ± 1 °C, >80 % RH and darkness. The complete life cycle, including pre-attachment periods for each parasitic stage, ranged from 126 to 228 days. The pre-attachment, feeding and molting periods increased as the life cycle progressed from larva to adult female. Oviposition lasted about 20 days, with the peak occurring on days 4 and 5. Longevity of nymphs and adult females was quite similar (approximately 250 and 240 days, respectively) and slightly longer than that of larvae. Lesions caused by tick feeding are discussed and a list of known hosts, including new host records for A. rotundatum, is offered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hermes Ribeiro Luz
- Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, 23890-000, Brazil.
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Luz HR, Faccini JLH, Landulfo GA, Sampaio JDS, Costa Neto SF, Famadas KM, Onofrio VC, Barros-Battesti DM. New host records of Ixodes luciae(Acari: Ixodidae) in the State of Para, Brazil. Rev Bras Parasitol Vet 2013; 22:152-4. [DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612013000100028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2012] [Accepted: 03/23/2012] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to record new hosts for Ixodes luciae Sénevet in the State of Para, Brazil, and present a case of malformation (teratogeny) in a nymph of this species. The new host records are Marmosa murina (parasitized by females) and Philander opossum (parasitized by nymphs). One of these nymphs showed malformation in the posterior margin of the opisthosoma resulting in a heart shaped posterior end.
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Luz HR, Faccini JLH, Landulfo GA, Berto BP, Ferreira I. Bird ticks in an area of the Cerrado of Minas Gerais State, southeast Brazil. Exp Appl Acarol 2012; 58:89-99. [PMID: 22729500 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-012-9572-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2012] [Accepted: 05/04/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
In the present study the tick prevalence, mean intensity of infestation and species were recorded on birds captured between January 2009 and December 2010 in the Ecological Station Pirapitinga-ESEC from Minas Gerais State, Brazil. A total of 967 birds, from 15 families and 40 species were captured and 165 (17.1 %) individuals were parasitized by ticks. Of these 160 (97 %) belonged to the order Passeriformes. Five tick species were identified: Amblyomma longirostre (n = 274) was the most common species followed by Amblyomma parvum (n = 43), Amblyomma nodosum (n = 39), Amblyomma ovale (n = 24) and Riphicephalus sanguineus (n = 7). None of 61 unengorged larvae molted to nymph. The mean intensity of infestation was 2.7 ± 2.4 ticks per bird (448 ticks/165 birds) ranging from 1 to 10. Only 19 (11.4 %) birds were infested with one species of tick. The remaining birds were infested by two, three or four species of ticks. Also new hosts for all five ticks were recorded. Only nymphs were recorded throughout the year with two similar peaks during autumn and winter 2009 and 2010.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hermes Ribeiro Luz
- Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, 23890-000, Brazil.
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Faccini JLH, Evans DE. Dedication to Manoel Pimentel Neto --1928-2010. Rev Bras Parasitol Vet 2010; 19:195-196. [PMID: 21184693 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612010000400001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2010] [Accepted: 11/09/2010] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Dr Manoel Pimentel Neto's career as a researcher and adviser is recalled in this summary of his professional life. He adored his work, to which he dedicated himself fully as an exemplary public employee. In 1958, he graduated in veterinary medicine from the Rural University of Brazil (Universidade Rural do Brasil; URB), which today is the Rural Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro; UFRRJ). At that time, postgraduate training in different aspects of veterinary medicine did not exist. Dr Pimentel started his activities as a veterinary surgeon at the then Ministry of Agriculture, working on cattle health, and later on transferred to the National Department of Agricultural and Livestock Research (DNPA), which was the institution that evolved into the present-day EMBRAPA.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Luiz Horacio Faccini
- Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Instituto de Veterinária,Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil.
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Santos HA, Angelo IDC, Franque MP, Vashist U, Duarte AF, Baldani CD, Thomé SMG, Faccini JLH, Massard CL. The influence of the fasting period on the number of nymphal instars and on the sex ratio of Argas (Persicargas) miniatus (Acari: Argasidae). Rev Bras Parasitol Vet 2010; 19:164-168. [PMID: 20943020 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612010000300007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2010] [Accepted: 07/07/2010] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The current study investigated the biology of nymphs of the first and second instars of Argas (Persicargas) miniatus. Nymphs were deprived of food for 15, 30 or 60 days and held at 27 ± 1 °C and 80 ± 10% relative humidity (controlled conditions) or at room conditions of temperature and relative humidity. Nymphs of first instar deprived of food for 15 or 30 days molted to second and third instars in both controlled and room conditions. Nymphs of the first instar deprived of food for 60 days had 28 and 37% mortality in controlled and room conditions, respectively; and survivors did not attach to the host. Nymphs of the second instar, deprived of food for 60 days, molted either to the third instar or to males after feeding on Gallus gallus, and the nymphs of the third instar developed to adults (42.42% males and 36.36% females when nymphs were held in controlled temperature and humidity conditions, and 40.54% males and 48.65% females when nymphs were held in room conditions). The remainder of the nymphs molted to the fourth instar and then molted to females. In conclusion, the nymphal starvation period of 60 days determined the number of nymph instars in the life cycle of A. miniatus under the experimental conditions studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huarrisson Azevedo Santos
- Curso de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro-UFRRJ, BR 465, Km 7, CEP 23890-000, Seropédica-RJ, Brazil.
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22
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Cunha VES, Faccini JLH. Use of histamine phosphate for the interpretation of intradermal skin tests in dogs. Vet Rec 2009; 165:723-724. [PMID: 20008347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- V E S Cunha
- Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, 23890-000, Brazil.
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Marques S, Barros-Battesti DM, Faccini JLH, Onofrio VC. Brazilian distribution of Amblyomma varium Koch, 1844 (Acari: Ixodidae), a common parasite of sloths (Mammalia: Xenarthra). Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2002; 97:1141-6. [PMID: 12563481 DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02762002000800014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Amblyomma varium, commonly known in Brazil as the "carrapato-gigante-da-pregui a" (sloth's giant tick) is found from southern Central America to Argentina. The present study adds information on the geographical distribution of A. varium, as well as on their hosts, based on material deposited in the main Brazilian collections and on the available literature. Eighty-two vials, containing 191 adult specimens, deposited in five Acari collections between 1930 and 2001, were examined. These vials included data on the host and collection localities. The biology of A. varium is unknown. However it is known that, during the adult stage, the tick presents a high host specificity and is found almost exclusively on the sloths Bradypus tridactylus, B. variegatus, B.torquatus (Bradypodidae), Choloepus hoffmanni and C. didactylus (Megalonychidae). Based on the material examined, the states of Rond nia, Amazonas, Bahia and Alagoas are newly assigned to geographic distribution of A. varium in Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandro Marques
- Laboratório de Parasitologia, Instituto Butantan, 05503-900 São Paulo, SP, Brasil
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Abstract
To evaluate the sex ratio of field collected nymphal Amblyomma cajennense ticks, we collected 5326 engorged nymphs from naturally infested horses in Pirassununga county and allowed them to molt to adults in the laboratory. They yielded a sex ratio of 1:1.83 (M:F). Three and two engorged females were collected from horses pastured at Pirassununga county and from tapirs pastured in Sorocaba county, respectively. These females were allowed to oviposit and their progeny were reared until the adult stage in the laboratory. Engorged females collected from Pirassununga yielded a sex ratio of 1:1.57 (M:F) and a sex ratio of 1.14:1 (M:F) were obtained for those ticks collected from tapirs. In addition, unfed tick larvae were collected from Pedreira county and reared in the laboratory until the adult stage. This collection yielded a sex ratio of 1.11:1 (M:F). These results showed significantly different (P<0.05) sex ratio constitutions among different tick populations. Laboratory rabbits were infested once with A. cajennense male ticks, which showed feeding periods varying from 7 to 86 days. During this period, the rabbits were re-infested regularly with A. cajennense female ticks. A total of 179 engorged females were collected from the rabbits and their engorged weight, feeding, preovioposition and egg incubation periods, weight of deposited eggs, percent of hatched eggs and egg production efficiency were compared to the male feeding period and to the number of live males present on the host. None of the female variables were affected by the male feeding period. Male ticks remained fertile for the whole feeding period. Percent of hatched eggs was the only female variable that significantly decreased as the number of live males decreased on the host. The results showed that although some A. cajennense populations are composed of more females than males after molting, this female predominance is compensated by a long male feeding period and maintenance of its reproductive performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Pinter
- 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, SP 05508-000, São Paulo, Brazil
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