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bacteria associated with amblyomma cajennense tick eggs.ticks represent a large group of pathogen vectors that blood feed on a diversity of hosts. in the americas, the ixodidae ticks amblyomma cajennense are responsible for severe impact on livestock and public health. in the present work, we present the isolation and molecular identification of a group of culturable bacteria associated with a. cajennense eggs from females sampled in distinct geographical sites in southeastern brazil. additional comparative analysis of the culturable bacteria from an ...201526537602
missed retained tick: "look for the legs". 201526900234
detection of theileria orientalis genotypes in haemaphysalis longicornis ticks from southern australia.theileria are blood-borne intracellular protozoal parasites belonging to the phylum apicomplexa. previously considered a benign parasite in australia, outbreaks of clinical disease resulting from theileria orientalis genotypes have been reported in australia since 2006. since this time, outbreaks have become widespread in south-eastern australia, resulting in significant adverse impacts on local dairy and beef industries. this paper provides the first investigation into the possible biological a ...201525889204
propagation of the israeli vaccine strain of anaplasma centrale in tick cell lines.anaplasma centrale has been used in cattle as a live blood vaccine against the more pathogenic anaplasma marginale for over 100 years. while a. marginale can be propagated in vitro in tick cell lines, facilitating studies on antigen production, immunisation and vector-pathogen interaction, to date there has been no in vitro culture system for a. centrale. in the present study, 25 cell lines derived from 13 ixodid tick species were inoculated with the israeli vaccine strain of a. centrale and mon ...201526210950
native strains of beauveria bassiana for the control of rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato.rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato ticks are widespread worldwide due to their adaptability to survive under different environmental conditions. they may act as vectors of a wide range of pathogens to humans and animals and their control is based on the use of chemical products on dogs and in the environment. alternative control strategies, such as the use of entomopathogenic fungi as bio-control agents have also been investigated. the ability of native strains of beauveria bassiana sensu lato ...201525651851
theileria annae (syn. babesia microti-like) infection in dogs in nw spain detected using direct and indirect diagnostic techniques: clinical report of 75 cases.in north-western spain, piroplamosis caused by theileria annae is now recognized as a serious problem because veterinarians, despite being aware of the clinical signs of piroplasmosis, lack the necessary information on its epidemiology or specific diagnostic tools for its management. this, along with the fact that t. annae infection is also refractory to current piroplamosis treatments, prompted this study designed to assess the clinical presentation and diagnosis of this largely unknown parasit ...201525890106
first report of anaplasma platys infection in red foxes (vulpes vulpes) and molecular detection of ehrlichia canis and leishmania infantum in foxes from portugal.the bacteria anaplasma platys and ehrlichia canis and the protozoan leishmania infantum are vector-borne agents that cause canine vector-borne diseases, some of which are zoonotic. the present survey investigated the prevalence of anaplasma, ehrlichia and leishmania in red foxes (vulpes vulpes) from portugal by molecular analysis, in order to evaluate the epidemiological role of these canids as reservoirs of infection.201525889750
emerging horizons for tick-borne pathogens: from the 'one pathogen-one disease' vision to the pathobiome paradigm.ticks, as vectors of several notorious zoonotic pathogens, represent an important and increasing threat for human and animal health in europe. recent applications of new technology revealed the complexity of the tick microbiome, which may affect its vectorial capacity. appreciation of these complex systems is expanding our understanding of tick-borne pathogens, leading us to evolve a more integrated view that embraces the 'pathobiome'; the pathogenic agent integrated within its abiotic and bioti ...201526610021
insecticide/acaricide resistance in fleas and ticks infesting dogs and cats.this review defines insecticide/acaricide resistance and describes the history, evolution, types, mechanisms, and detection of resistance as it applies to chemicals currently used against fleas and ticks of dogs and cats and summarizes resistance reported to date. we introduce the concept of refugia as it applies to flea and tick resistance and discuss strategies to minimize the impact and inevitable onset of resistance to newer classes of insecticides. our purpose is to provide the veterinary p ...201424393426
laboratory identification of arthropod ectoparasites.the collection, handling, identification, and reporting of ectoparasitic arthropods in clinical and reference diagnostic laboratories are discussed in this review. included are data on ticks, mites, lice, fleas, myiasis-causing flies, and bed bugs. the public health importance of these organisms is briefly discussed. the focus is on the morphological identification and proper handling and reporting of cases involving arthropod ectoparasites, particularly those encountered in the united states. o ...201424396136
a 24-48 h fed amblyomma americanum tick saliva immuno-proteome.multiple tick saliva proteins, the majority of which are unknown, confer tick resistance in repeatedly infested animals. the objective of this study was to identify the 24-48 h fed amblyomma americanum tick saliva immuno-proteome. the 24-48 h tick-feeding phase is critical to tick parasitism as it precedes important events in tick biology, blood meal feeding and disease agent transmission. fed male, 24 and 96 h fed female phage display cdna expression libraries were biopanned using rabbit antibo ...201424962723
survey of selected tick-borne diseases in dogs in finland.due to climate changes during the last decades, ticks have progressively spread into higher latitudes in northern europe. although some tick borne diseases are known to be endemic in finland, to date there is limited information with regard to the prevalence of these infections in companion animals. we determined the antibody and dna prevalence of the following organisms in randomly selected client-owned and clinically healthy hunting dogs living in finland: ehrlichia canis (ec), anaplasma phago ...201424957468
canine infection with dirofilaria immitis, borrelia burgdorferi, anaplasma spp., and ehrlichia spp. in the united states, 2010-2012.the geographic distribution of canine infection with vector-borne disease agents in the united states appears to be expanding.201424886589
detection of microbial agents in ticks collected from migratory birds in central italy.tick species characterization and molecular studies were performed within ornithological surveys conducted during 2010 and 2011 in the lazio region of central italy. a total of 137 ticks were collected from 41 migratory birds belonging to 17 species (four partial migrants and 13 long-distance migrants). most ticks were nymphs, with a predominance of hyalomma marginatum marginatum and h. m. rufipes, and a small portion of ixodes and amblyomma species. all tick species analyzed were infected, and ...201424576218
survey on cattle ticks in nur, north of iran.to survey the prevalence of cattle ticks in nur county and prepare a list of tick fauna in this district.201425182439
gene cloning, expression and immunogenicity of the protective antigen subolesin in dermacentor silvarum.subolesin (4d8), the ortholog of insect akirins, is a highly conserved protective antigen and thus has the potential for development of a broad-spectrum vaccine against ticks and mosquitoes. to date, no protective antigens have been characterized nor tested as candidate vaccines against dermacentor silvarum bites and transmission of associated pathogens. in this study, we cloned the open reading frame (orf) of d. silvarum 4d8 cdna (ds4d8), which consisted of 498 bp encoding 165 amino acid residu ...201424623890
a seventeen-year epidemiological surveillance study of borrelia burgdorferi infections in two provinces of northern spain.this paper reports a 17-year seroepidemiological surveillance study of borrelia burgdorferi infection, performed with the aim of improving our knowledge of the epidemiology of this pathogen. serum samples (1,179) from patients (623, stratified with respect to age, sex, season, area of residence and occupation) bitten by ticks in two regions of northern spain were ifa-tested for b. burgdorferi antibodies. positive results were confirmed by western blotting. antibodies specific for b. burgdorferi ...201424487455
hard tick factors implicated in pathogen transmission.ticks are the most common arthropod vector, after mosquitoes, and are capable of transmitting the greatest variety of pathogens. for both humans and animals, the worldwide emergence or re-emergence of tick-borne disease is becoming increasingly problematic. despite being such an important issue, our knowledge of pathogen transmission by ticks is incomplete. several recent studies, reviewed here, have reported that the expression of some tick factors can be modulated in response to pathogen infec ...201424498444
case report: molecular evidence of anaplasma platys infection in two women from venezuela.this article presents two case reports of anaplasma platys detection in two women from venezuela. both patients were exposed to rhipicephalus sanguineus, the presumed tick vector, and experienced chronic, nonspecific clinical signs including headaches and muscle pains. intra-platelet inclusion bodies resembling a. platys were observed in buffy coat smears and a. platys dna was amplified and sequenced from whole blood; however, treatment with doxycycline did not alleviate their symptoms. these ca ...201425266347
ixodes ricinus and its transmitted pathogens in urban and peri-urban areas in europe: new hazards and relevance for public health.tick-borne diseases represent major public and animal health issues worldwide. ixodes ricinus, primarily associated with deciduous and mixed forests, is the principal vector of causative agents of viral, bacterial, and protozoan zoonotic diseases in europe. recently, abundant tick populations have been observed in european urban green areas, which are of public health relevance due to the exposure of humans and domesticated animals to potentially infected ticks. in urban habitats, small and medi ...201425520947
the speed of kill of fluralaner (bravecto™) against ixodes ricinus ticks on dogs.pathogens that are transmitted by ticks to dogs, such as anaplasma phagocytophilum, babesia spp., borrelia burgdorferi sensu latu, and ehrlichia canis, are an increasing problem in the world. one method to prevent pathogen transmission to dogs is to kill the ticks before transmission occurs. fluralaner (bravecto™) is a novel isoxazoline insecticide and acaricide that provides long persistent antiparasitic activity following systemic administration. this study investigated the speed of kill of fl ...201425406442
pathogenic landscape of transboundary zoonotic diseases in the mexico-us border along the rio grande.transboundary zoonotic diseases, several of which are vector borne, can maintain a dynamic focus and have pathogens circulating in geographic regions encircling multiple geopolitical boundaries. global change is intensifying transboundary problems, including the spatial variation of the risk and incidence of zoonotic diseases. the complexity of these challenges can be greater in areas where rivers delineate international boundaries and encompass transitions between ecozones. the rio grande serve ...201425453027
borrelia garinii and rickettsia monacensis in ixodes ricinus ticks, algeria. 201425272139
transmission-blocking vaccines: focus on anti-vector vaccines against tick-borne diseases.tick-borne diseases are a potential threat that account for significant morbidity and mortality in human population worldwide. vaccines are not available to treat several of the tick-borne diseases. with the emergence and resurgence of several tick-borne diseases, emphasis on the development of transmission-blocking vaccines remains increasing. in this review, we provide a snap shot on some of the potential candidates for the development of anti-vector vaccines (a form of transmission-blocking v ...201425503555
population-based passive tick surveillance and detection of expanding foci of blacklegged ticks ixodes scapularis and the lyme disease agent borrelia burgdorferi in ontario, canada.we identified ticks submitted by the public from 2008 through 2012 in ontario, canada, and tested blacklegged ticks ixodes scapularis for borrelia burgdorferi and anaplasma phagocytophilum. among the 18 species of ticks identified, i. scapularis, dermacentor variabilis, ixodes cookei and amblyomma americanum represented 98.1% of the 14,369 ticks submitted. rates of blacklegged tick submission per 100,000 population were highest in ontario's eastern region; d. variabilis in central west and easte ...201425171252
high-throughput screening of tick-borne pathogens in europe.due to increased travel, climatic, and environmental changes, the incidence of tick-borne disease in both humans and animals is increasing throughout europe. therefore, extended surveillance tools are desirable. to accurately screen tick-borne pathogens (tbps), a large scale epidemiological study was conducted on 7050 ixodes ricinus nymphs collected from france, denmark, and the netherlands using a powerful new high-throughput approach. this advanced methodology permitted the simultaneous detect ...201425120960
ticks infesting humans in italy and associated pathogens.ticks may transmit a large variety of pathogens, which cause illnesses in animals and humans, commonly referred to as to tick-borne diseases (tbds). the incidence of human tbds in italy is underestimated because of poor surveillance and the scant amount of studies available.201425023709
intravascular persistence of anaplasma platys, ehrlichia chaffeensis, and ehrlichia ewingii dna in the blood of a dog and two family members.anaplasmosis, caused by anaplasma phagocytophilum and anaplasma platys, and ehrlichiosis, caused by ehrlichia chaffeensis, ehrlichia ewingii, the "panola mountain ehrlichia" and ehrlichia muris-like pathogens have been identified as emerging tick borne infectious diseases in dogs and human patients. persistent intravascular infection with these bacteria is well documented in dogs, but is less well documented in human beings.201424984562
current status of l. infantum infection in stray cats in the madrid region (spain): implications for the recent outbreak of human leishmaniosis?since 2009, the incidence of human leishmaniosis in the sw of the madrid region has been unusually high. although dogs are the main reservoir for this disease, a role played by dogs in this outbreak has been ruled out and investigators are now considering other hosts (eg. cats, rabbits, hares) as possible alternative reservoirs.this study was designed to examine the leishmania infantum status of stray cats in madrid to assess its possible implications in the human leishmaniosis outbreak.201424655361
first detection of leishmania infantum (kinetoplastida: trypanosomatidae) in culicoides spp. (diptera: ceratopogonidae).culicoides (diptera: ceratopogonidae) species are known to be the vectors of bluetongue virus and african horses sickness virus (ahsv) in different areas of the world. nevertheless, other researchers have hypothesized that these arthropods could be involved in the transmission of other pathogens such as schmallenberg virus, plasmodium and leishmania parasites. identification of the culicoides' potential vector competence is crucial in understanding the worldwide culicoides/leishmania life cycle.201424460752
ixodes pacificus ticks maintain embryogenesis and egg hatching after antibiotic treatment of rickettsia endosymbiont.rickettsia is a genus of intracellular bacteria that causes a variety of diseases in humans and other mammals and associates with a diverse group of arthropods. although rickettsia appears to be common in ticks, most rickettsia-tick relationships remain generally uncharacterized. the most intimate of these associations is rickettsia species phylotype g021, a maternally and transstadially transmitted endosymbiont that resides in 100% of i. pacificus in california. we investigated the effects of t ...201425105893
experimental infection of rhipicephalus sanguineus with ehrlichia chaffeensis.ehrlichia chaffeensis, the etiologic agent of human monocytic ehrlichiosis, is a tick-borne rickettsial pathogen that is infective to a wide range of mammals, including dogs and people. amblyomma americanum, the lone star tick, is considered the primary vector of e. chaffeensis, but this pathogen has been detected in other tick species, including the brown dog tick, rhipicephalus sanguineus. we hypothesized that the arkansas strain of e. chaffeensis is infective to r. sanguineus, and used a nove ...201424894131
species diversity and distribution of ticks (acari: ixodidae) in zabol county, eastern iran.ticks are important vectors of human and animal pathogens. they are considered as main vectors for transmission of many viral, bacterial, rickettsial and parasitical pathogens. the aim of the present study was to find out species diversity of ticks, which infested the domestic ruminants in zabol county, eastern iran in 2012.201426114136
rickettsia africae and candidatus rickettsia barbariae in ticks in israel.dna of several spotted fever group rickettsiae was found in ticks in israel. the findings include evidence for the existence of rickettsia africae and candidatus rickettsia barbariae in ticks in israel. the dna of r. africae was detected in a hyalomma detritum tick from a wild boar and dna of c. rickettsia barbariae was detected in rhipicephalus turanicus and rhipicephalus sanguineus collected from vegetation. the dna of rickettsia massiliae was found in rh. sanguineus and haemaphysalis erinacei ...201424615133
assessment of four dna fragments (coi, 16s rdna, its2, 12s rdna) for species identification of the ixodida (acari: ixodida).the 5' region of cytochrome oxidase i (coi) is the standard marker for dna barcoding. however, coi has proved to be of limited use in identifying some species, and for some taxa, the coding sequence is not efficiently amplified by pcr. these deficiencies lead to uncertainty as to whether coi is the most suitable barcoding fragment for species identification of ticks.201424589289
rural residents in china are at increased risk of exposure to tick-borne pathogens anaplasma phagocytophilum and ehrlichia chaffeensis.as emerging tick born rickettsial diseases caused by a. phagocytophilum and e. chaffeensis, anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis have become a serious threat to human and animal health throughout the world. in particular, in china, an unusual transmission of nosocomial cases of human granulocytic anaplasmosis occurred in anhui province in 2006 and more recent coinfection case of a. phagocytophilum and e. chaffeensis was documented in shandong province. although the seroprevalence of human granulocytic ...201424877080
control of tick infestations and pathogen prevalence in cattle and sheep farms vaccinated with the recombinant subolesin-major surface protein 1a chimeric antigen.despite the use of chemical acaricides, tick infestations continue to affect animal health and production worldwide. tick vaccines have been proposed as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative for tick control. vaccination with the candidate tick protective antigen, subolesin (sub), has been shown experimentally to be effective in controlling vector infestations and pathogen infection. furthermore, escherichia coli membranes containing the chimeric antigen composed of sub fused ...201424398155
genetic identification of rickettsial isolates from fatal cases of brazilian spotted fever and comparison with rickettsia rickettsii isolates from the american continents.fifteen bacterial isolates from spotted fever group rickettsiosis in brazil were genetically identified as rickettsia rickettsii. in a phylogenetic analysis with other r. rickettsii isolates from genbank, the central/south american isolates showed low polymorphism and formed a clade distinct from two north american clades, with the north american clades having greater in-branch polymorphism.201425078908
absence of antibodies to rickettsia spp., bartonella spp., ehrlichia spp. and coxiella burnetii in tahiti, french polynesia.in the pacific islands countries and territories, very little is known about the incidence of infectious diseases due to zoonotic pathogens. to our knowledge, human infections due to rickettsia spp., coxiella burnetii, ehrlichia spp. and bartonella spp. have never been reported in french polynesia; and infections due to c. burnetti have been reported worldwide except in new zealand. to evaluate the prevalence of this disease, we conducted a serosurvey among french polynesian blood donors.201424885466
anaplasma platys in bone marrow megakaryocytes of young dogs.anaplasma platys is an obligate intracellular rickettsial pathogen that infects platelets of dogs, forming basophilic intracellular morulae. in the present report, cellular inclusions were documented in bone marrow thrombocyte precursors of two young naturally infected dogs, indicating that a. platys can infect megakaryocytes and promegakaryocytes.201424622106
speculations on biting midges and other bloodsucking arthropods as alternative vectors of leishmania.sand flies remain the only proven vectors of leishmania spp. but recent implementation of pcr techniques has led to increasing speculation about "alternative vectors", including biting midges. here, we summarize that pcr has considerable limits for studing the role of bloodsucking arthropods in the epidemiology of leishmaniasis. the leishmania life cycle in the sand fly includes a complex series of interactions which are in many cases species-specific, the early phase of the infection is, howeve ...201424884857
serological detection of anaplasma phagocytophilum, borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and ehrlichia canis antibodies and dirofilaria immitis antigen in a countrywide survey in dogs in poland.canine vector-borne diseases (cvbds) have increasingly become a focus of attention in the past few years. nevertheless, in many parts of europe information on their occurrence is still scarce. in a large study in poland 3,094 serum samples taken from dogs throughout all 16 polish provinces were tested using a commercial kit for the detection of circulating antibodies against anaplasma phagocytophilum, borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and ehrlichia canis and of dirofilaria immitis antigen. a total ...201424974092
chronic coinfections in patients diagnosed with chronic lyme disease: a systematic review.often, the controversial diagnosis of chronic lyme disease is given to patients with prolonged, medically unexplained physical symptoms. many such patients also are treated for chronic coinfections with babesia, anaplasma, or bartonella in the absence of typical presentations, objective clinical findings, or laboratory confirmation of active infection. we have undertaken a systematic review of the literature to evaluate several aspects of this practice.201424929022
seroprevalence of some vector-borne infections of dogs in hungary.the first comprehensive study on the prevalence of canine vector-borne pathogens (anaplasma phagocytophilum, borrelia burgdorferi, ehrlichia canis, and dirofilaria immitis) was carried in hungary because, except for babesiosis and dirofilariosis caused by dirofilaria repens, there were no data on their regional distribution and prevalence. in 2011 and 2012, 1305 blood samples were collected from randomly selected, apparently healthy pet dogs in 167 localities of 19 counties of hungary. all sera ...201424689833
bilateral mandibular pyogranulomatous lymphadenitis and pulmonary nodules in a dog with bartonella henselae bacteremia.this report describes a 2-year-old collie dog with pulmonary nodules, visualized by computed tomographic (ct) scan, with evidence of bartonella henselae bacteremia and pyogranulomatous lymphadenitis. clinical signs resolved with antimicrobial therapy.201425320386
identification of tick-borne pathogens in ticks feeding on humans in turkey.the importance of tick-borne diseases is increasing all over the world, including turkey. the tick-borne disease outbreaks reported in recent years and the abundance of tick species and the existence of suitable habitats increase the importance of studies related to the epidemiology of ticks and tick-borne pathogens in turkey. the aim of this study was to investigate the presence of and to determine the infection rates of some tick-borne pathogens, including babesia spp., borrelia burgdorferi se ...201425101999
emerging and re-emerging zoonoses of dogs and cats.since the middle of the 20th century, pets are more frequently considered as "family members" within households. however, cats and dogs still can be a source of human infection by various zoonotic pathogens. among emerging or re-emerging zoonoses, viral diseases, such as rabies (mainly from dog pet trade or travel abroad), but also feline cowpox and newly recognized noroviruses or rotaviruses or influenza viruses can sicken our pets and be transmitted to humans. bacterial zoonoses include bacter ...201426480316
bacterial and protozoal agents of feline vector-borne diseases in domestic and stray cats from southern portugal.feline vector-borne diseases (fvbd) have emerged in recent years, showing a wider geographic distribution and increased global prevalence. in addition to their veterinary importance, domestic cats play a central role in the transmission cycles of some fvbd agents by acting as reservoirs and sentinels, a circumstance that requires a one health approach. the aim of the present work was to molecularly detect feline vector-borne bacteria and protozoa with veterinary and zoonotic importance, and to a ...201424655431
tick-borne pathogen - reversed and conventional discovery of disease.molecular methods have increased the number of known microorganisms associated with ticks significantly. some of these newly identified microorganisms are readily linked to human disease while others are yet unknown to cause human disease. the face of tick-borne disease discovery has changed with more diseases now being discovered in a "reversed way," detecting disease cases only years after the tick-borne microorganism was first discovered. compared to the conventional discovery of infectious d ...201425072045
the salivary secretome of the biting midge, culicoides sonorensis.culicoides biting midges (diptera: ceratopogonidae) are hematophagous insects with over 1400 species distributed throughout the world. many of these species are of particular agricultural importance as primary vectors of bluetongue and schmallenberg viruses, yet little is known about culicoides genomics and proteomics. detailed studies of members from other blood-feeding dipteran families, including those of mosquito (culicidae) and black fly (simuliidae), have shown that protein components with ...201424949243
transcriptome of the female synganglion of the black-legged tick ixodes scapularis (acari: ixodidae) with comparison between illumina and 454 systems.illumina and 454 pyrosequencing were used to characterize genes from the synganglion of female ixodes scapularis. go term searching success for biological processes was similar for samples sequenced by both methods. however, for molecular processes, it was more successful for the illumina samples than for 454 samples. functional assignments of transcripts predicting neuropeptides, neuropeptide receptors, neurotransmitter receptors and other genes of interest was done, supported by strong e-value ...201425075967
serological and molecular prevalence of selected canine vector borne pathogens in blood donor candidates, clinically healthy volunteers, and stray dogs in north carolina.canine vector borne diseases (cvbds) comprise illnesses caused by a spectrum of pathogens that are transmitted by arthropod vectors. some dogs have persistent infections without apparent clinical, hematological or biochemical abnormalities, whereas other dogs develop acute illnesses, persistent subclinical infections, or chronic debilitating diseases. the primary objective of this study was to screen healthy dogs for serological and molecular evidence of regionally important cvbds.201424655461
dual silencing of long and short amblyomma americanum acidic chitinase forms weakens the tick cement cone stability.this study demonstrates that amblyomma americanum (aam) constitutively and ubiquitously expresses the long (l) and short (s) putative acidic chitinases (ach) that are distinguished by a 210 base pair (bp) deletion in aamach-s. full-length aamach-l and aamach-s cdna are 1959 and 1718 bp long, containing 1332 and 1104 bp open reading frames that code for 443 and 367 amino acid residues proteins with the former predicted to be extracellular and the latter intracellular. both aamach-l and aamach-s m ...201425189365
wildlife reservoirs for vector-borne canine, feline and zoonotic infections in austria.austria's mammalian wildlife comprises a large variety of species, acting and interacting in different ways as reservoir and intermediate and definitive hosts for different pathogens that can be transmitted to pets and/or humans. foxes and other wild canids are responsible for maintaining zoonotic agents, e.g. echinococcus multilocularis, as well as pet-relevant pathogens, e.g. hepatozoon canis. together with the canids, and less commonly felids, rodents play a major role as intermediate and par ...201425830102
immediate efficacy and persistent speed of kill of a novel oral formulation of afoxolaner (nexgardtm) against induced infestations with ixodes ricinus ticks.ticks are hematophageous arthropods that transmit a wide spectrum of pathogens to human and animals. the ability of an acaricidal product to kill ticks quickly provides an important added benefit, especially as protecting dogs from tick bites remains the best preventive measure against tick-borne diseases. the speed of kill of afoxolaner in a novel soft chewable formulation (nexgardtm) against induced infestations with ixodes ricinus adult ticks was evaluated during a full-month negative control ...201425261196
seasonal dynamics of rhipicephalus rossicus attacking domestic dogs from the steppic region of southeastern romania.danube delta biosphere reserve is one of the most interesting regions in europe from an epidemiological point of view due to its great biodiversity, local climatic conditions and various types of habitats. moreover, there is no data regarding the ectoparasite communities of dogs from this area. in this frame, the aims of our study were to establish the tick communities parasitizing dogs and to provide new data regarding seasonal dynamics of a neglected tick species, rhipicephalus rossicus.201424612483
detection of rickettsia rickettsii, rickettsia parkeri, and rickettsia akari in skin biopsy specimens using a multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction assay.rickettsia rickettsii, rickettsia parkeri, and rickettsia akari are the most common causes of spotted fever group rickettsioses indigenous to the united states. infected patients characteristically present with a maculopapular rash, often accompanied by an inoculation eschar. skin biopsy specimens are often obtained from these lesions for diagnostic evaluation. however, a species-specific diagnosis is achieved infrequently from pathologic specimens because immunohistochemical stains do not diffe ...201424829214
a tick-borne segmented rna virus contains genome segments derived from unsegmented viral ancestors.although segmented and unsegmented rna viruses are commonplace, the evolutionary links between these two very different forms of genome organization are unclear. we report the discovery and characterization of a tick-borne virus--jingmen tick virus (jmtv)--that reveals an unexpected connection between segmented and unsegmented rna viruses. the jmtv genome comprises four segments, two of which are related to the nonstructural protein genes of the genus flavivirus (family flaviviridae), whereas th ...201424753611
cockroach, tick, storage mite and other arthropod allergies: where do we stand with molecular allergy diagnostics?: part 15 of the series molecular allergology.arthropods form a broad phylum within the animal kingdom, comprising widely varying members such as insects, arachnids, crabs and centipedes. in addition to common allergies to house dust mites or hymenoptera venom, there are also rarer allergies that can be attributed to three major sources of allergens: cockroaches, ticks and storage mites. other less known allergen sources include spiders, mosquitos, horseflies, red chironomid larvae, silverfish and ladybugs, as well as a variety of storage p ...201426146603
spotted fever group rickettsiae in multiple hard tick species from fairfax county, virginia.spotted fever group rickettsiosis (sfgr) is a potentially fatal disease that has displayed increasing incidence in the united states in recent years. the most well-known and severe type of this disease is rocky mountain spotted fever, but there are other mild forms that occur. recently, human infection with rickettsia parkeri has been reported and linked with the tick amblyomma maculatum. in 2010, a population of r. parkeri-infected a. maculatum was discovered in fairfax county, virginia, leadin ...201424978651
molecular detection of tick-borne pathogens in captive wild felids, zimbabwe.the populations of wild felids in africa, of especially lions (panthera leo) and cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus), are declining and the species are classified as vulnerable to extinction by the international union for conservation of nature. as infections with tick-borne pathogens (tbp) can become more of a problem in wild felids, there are relatively few studies on tbp in wild felids in africa and on how these infections might influence population numbers.201425404084
are ticks venomous animals?as an ecological adaptation venoms have evolved independently in several species of metazoa. as haematophagous arthropods ticks are mainly considered as ectoparasites due to directly feeding on the skin of animal hosts. ticks are of major importance since they serve as vectors for several diseases affecting humans and livestock animals. ticks are rarely considered as venomous animals despite that tick saliva contains several protein families present in venomous taxa and that many ixodida genera ...201425006341
dogs, cats, parasites, and humans in brazil: opening the black box.dogs and cats in brazil serve as primary hosts for a considerable number of parasites, which may affect their health and wellbeing. these may include endoparasites (e.g., protozoa, cestodes, trematodes, and nematodes) and ectoparasites (i.e., fleas, lice, mites, and ticks). while some dog and cat parasites are highly host-specific (e.g., aelurostrongylus abstrusus and felicola subrostratus for cats, and angiostrongylus vasorum and trichodectes canis for dogs), others may easily switch to other h ...201424423244
first molecular evidence of hepatozoon canis infection in red foxes and golden jackals from hungary.recently, hepatozoon canis infection has been detected among shepherd, hunting and stray dogs in the southern part of hungary, which is considered to be free of rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato and close to the border with croatia. the aim of this study was to acquire information on the possibility that red foxes and/or golden jackals could play a role in the appearance and spread of h. canis in hungary.201424985073
the first german map of georeferenced ixodid tick locations.georeferenced locations of ixodid ticks are required to depict the observed distribution of species. further, they are used as input data for species distribution models also known as niche models. the latter were applied to describe current and future (projected) tick distributions. beside model assumptions and selected climate parameters, the number of georeferenced tick locations available as a digital dataset is of fundamental importance for the reliability of such models. for germany, howev ...201425301245
sensitivity to permethrin in a dermacentor reticulatus population from eastern poland in laboratory study.the action of chemical compounds on the palaearctic tick d. reticulatus (fabricius) (acari: amblyomminae) has been poorly investigated so far. therefore, the effects of application of permethrin on engorged d. reticulatus females have been assessed, and the survival rate for the different developmental stages of the tick species in its non-parasitic phase of the life cycle was determined upon application of the pyrethroid.201424405550
climate and environmental change drives ixodes ricinus geographical expansion at the northern range margin.global environmental change is causing spatial and temporal shifts in the distribution of species and the associated diseases of humans, domesticated animals and wildlife. in the on-going debate on the influence of climate change on vectors and vector-borne diseases, there is a lack of a comprehensive interdisciplinary multi-factorial approach utilizing high quality spatial and temporal data.201424401487
a new multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis reveals different clusters for anaplasma phagocytophilum circulating in domestic and wild ruminants.anaplasma phagocytophilum is a tick-borne intragranulocytic alpha-proteobacterium. it is the causative agent of tick-borne fever in ruminants, and of human granulocytic anaplasmosis in humans, two diseases which are becoming increasingly recognized in europe and the usa. however, while several molecular typing tools have been developed over the last years, few of them are appropriate for in-depth exploration of the epidemiological cycle of this bacterium. therefore we have developed a multiple-l ...201425228371
frequency of piroplasms babesia microti and cytauxzoon felis in stray cats from northern italy.emerging diseases caused by piroplasms pose a health risk for man and other animals, and domestic cats have been proposed as potential reservoirs for some piroplasm infections. the aim of this study was to identify the frequency of the piroplasms babesia microti and cytauxzoon felis in stray cats from northern italy and to identify possible risk factors associated with these infections. blood samples from 260 stray cats enrolled in a trap-neuter-release (tnr) program in northern italy were exami ...201424895629
proteomic analysis of cattle tick rhipicephalus (boophilus) microplus saliva: a comparison between partially and fully engorged females.the cattle tick rhipicephalus (boophilus) microplus is one of the most harmful parasites affecting bovines. similarly to other hematophagous ectoparasites, r. microplus saliva contains a collection of bioactive compounds that inhibit host defenses against tick feeding activity. thus, the study of tick salivary components offers opportunities for the development of immunological based tick control methods and medicinal applications. so far, only a few proteins have been identified in cattle tick ...201424762651
fox on the run--molecular surveillance of fox blood and tissue for the occurrence of tick-borne pathogens in austria.the red fox (vulpes vulpes) is a widespread species, harbouring many pathogens relevant for humans and pets. indeed, anaplasma spp., ehrlichia canis and rickettsia spp. among the bacteria and hepatozoon canis as well as babesia sp. among the parasites have been the focus of several studies.201425413694
questionnaire-based survey on the distribution and incidence of canine babesiosis in countries of western europe.the incidence of canine babesiosis may vary considerably from one country to another depending on the distribution of the causative parasite species and their specific vectors. the aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical occurrence of canine babesiosis diagnosed in european veterinary clinics and propose an updated map of the disease distribution in western europe. questionnaires were sent to companion animal veterinary clinics in spain, france, benelux, germany and austria. the an ...201424626325
a randomized, blinded, controlled and multi-centered field study comparing the efficacy and safety of bravecto (fluralaner) against frontline (fipronil) in flea- and tick-infested dogs.fluralaner, a new molecular entity of the isoxazoline class, has potent insecticidal and acaricidal activity and can be safely administered orally to dogs.201424593931
the role of cats in the eco-epidemiology of spotted fever group diseases.mediterranean spotted fever (msf), whose etiological agent is r. conorii, is one of the oldest described vector-borne infectious diseases. although it is endemic in the mediterranean area, clinical cases have also been reported in other regions. r. massiliae-bar29 is related to msf cases. this strain is distributed worldwide. r. conorii and r. massiliae-bar29 are transmitted by ticks. dogs are considered the sentinel of r. conorii infection. cats could also be involved in their transmission. ric ...201425084969
abstracts of the 1st conference on neglected vectors and vector-borne diseases (eurnegvec): with management committee and working group meetings of the cost action td1303, april 8-11, 2014, cluj-napoca, romania. 201425078468
piroplasmosis in wildlife: babesia and theileria affecting free-ranging ungulates and carnivores in the italian alps.piroplasmosis are among the most relevant diseases of domestic animals. babesia is emerging as cause of tick-borne zoonosis worldwide and free-living animals are reservoir hosts of several zoonotic babesia species. we investigated the epidemiology of babesia spp. and theileria spp. in wild ungulates and carnivores from northern italy to determine which of these apicomplexan species circulate in wildlife and their prevalence of infection.201424533742
survey of toxoplasma gondii and neospora caninum, haemotropic mycoplasmas and other arthropod-borne pathogens in cats from albania.albania is a country on the western part of the balkan peninsula. the mediterranean climate is favourable for the stable development of many arthropod species, which are incriminated as vectors for various agents. recently, several papers have reported on epidemiological aspects of parasitic diseases including vector-borne disease agents of dogs with zoonotic characteristics in albania. however, data on the epidemiology of feline parasitic and bacterial agents in albania is scarce.201424517118
occurrence of tick-transmitted pathogens in dogs in jos, plateau state, nigeria.canine babesiosis caused by babesia rossi, transmitted by haemaphysalis elliptica in south africa, has also been reported from nigeria. although h. leachi (sensu lato) is widespread in sub-saharan africa, published literature on the occurrence of canine babesiosis is meagre. it has been postulated that the genotype of babesia rossi erythrocyte membrane antigen 1 (brema1) may be linked to virulence of the specific isolate. the primary objective of this study was to detect and characterise tick-bo ...201424661795
rhipicephalus (boophilus) microplus aquaporin as an effective vaccine antigen to protect against cattle tick infestations.vaccination as a control method against the cattle tick, rhipicephalus (boophilus) microplus has been practiced since the introduction of two products in the mid-1990s. there is a need for a vaccine that could provide effective control of r. microplus in a more consistent fashion than existing products. during our transcriptome studies of r. microplus, several gene coding regions were discovered to encode proteins with significant amino acid similarity to aquaporins.201425306139
anaplasma infection in ticks, livestock and human in ghaemshahr, mazandaran province, iran.anaplasmosis is an important issue for animal breeders in terms of economic losses as well as a health concern to human. ticks are considered as the main vector of this disease. lack of documented information about anaplasma species in iran was the scope of this study to determine the population of ticks and the presence of anaplasma in ticks, domestic ruminants and also human beings in northern iran.201426114134
community-based control of the brown dog tick in a region with high rates of rocky mountain spotted fever, 2012-2013.rocky mountain spotted fever (rmsf) transmitted by the brown dog tick (rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato) has emerged as a significant public health risk on american indian reservations in eastern arizona. during 2003-2012, more than 250 rmsf cases and 19 deaths were documented among arizona's american indian population. the high case fatality rate makes community-level interventions aimed at rapid and sustained reduction of ticks urgent. beginning in 2012, a two year pilot integrated tick pre ...201425479289
inadequacy of igm antibody tests for diagnosis of rocky mountain spotted fever.among 13 suspected rocky mountain spotted fever (rmsf) cases identified through an enhanced surveillance program in tennessee, antibodies to rickettsia rickettsii were detected in 10 (77%) patients using a standard indirect immunofluorescent antibody (ifa) assay. immunoglobulin m (igm) antibodies were observed for 6 of 13 patients (46%) without a corresponding development of igg, and for 3 of 10 patients (30%) at least 1 year post-onset. however, recent infection with a spotted fever group ricke ...201425092818
phylogeography of rickettsia rickettsii genotypes associated with fatal rocky mountain spotted fever.rocky mountain spotted fever (rmsf), a tick-borne zoonosis caused by rickettsia rickettsii, is among the deadliest of all infectious diseases. to identify the distribution of various genotypes of r. rickettsii associated with fatal rmsf, we applied molecular typing methods to samples of dna extracted from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue specimens obtained at autopsy from 103 case-patients from seven countries who died of rmsf. complete sequences of one or more intergenic regions were am ...201424957541
rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (acari: ixodidae) nymphs: an ultrastructural study of the integument and midgut.this is an ultrastructural study of two important organs of ticks: the integument, covering the body and involved in the molting process, and the midgut, the first organ to have contact with the ingested host blood. the integument of rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato freshly engorged nymphs consists of a layer of epidermal cells rich in organelles and a cuticle, subdivided in epicuticle and procuticle. the latter presents two distinct regions: the exocuticle (with several pore canals) and the ...201425027233
changes in the synganglion of rhipicephalus sanguineus (latreille, 1806) (acari: ixodidae) female ticks exposed to permethrin: an ultrastructural overview.this study performed the ultra-structural analysis of the changes caused by permethrin in the synganglion of semi-engorged rhipicephalus sanguineus females, aiming to understand the toxic action of this substance at cellular level. the results showed that the neural lamella had its structure changed, allowing the influx of the toxic agent into the nervous tissue. the glial cells of the perineurium, as well as the neural cells of the cortex showed great changes, such as: irregular nuclei with chr ...201424742902
fluazuron-induced morphological changes in rhipicephalus sanguineus latreille, 1806 (acari: ixodidae) nymphs: an ultra-structural evaluation of the cuticle formation and digestive processes.rhipicephalus sanguineus is a species of tick which is widely distributed in america, africa and australia and is probably the most prevalent among all the other ixodid tick species. the present study demonstrated the effects of the arthropod growth regulator fluazuron (acatak(®)), in the formation of the integument and the digestive processes of r. sanguineus nymphs fed on rabbits treated with different doses of this chemical acaricide. for this, three different doses of fluazuron (20mg/kg, 40m ...201424508101
morphological alterations of epidermis of rabbits infested by r. sanguineus ticks and exposed to selamectin (active principle of pfizer revolution(®) acaricide): a confocal microscopy study.the present study analyzed, by means of confocal laser scanning microscopy, the epidermis of rabbits infested by the brown dog tick rhipicephalus sanguineus and exposed to concentrations of 50%, 80% and 100% of a selamectin-based commercial acaricide (pfizer's revolution(®)). the results demonstrated that rabbits exposed to concentrations of 80% and 100% of the revolution acaricide, which contains 12% selamectin, showed thinning of epithelial tissue of the epidermis with associated cellular diso ...201424369880
cercopithifilaria spp. in dogs in sardinia island (italy).a survey on cercopithifilaria spp. was carried out on owned and kennelled dogs in sardinia, italy. a total of 180 dogs were sampled and tested by microscopic detection or pcr of dermal microfilariae in skin snip sediments. the overall prevalence for cercopithifilaria spp. at both microscopy and molecular tests was 9.4 % (17/180), while 8.3 % (15/180) of dogs scored positive at microscopic detection of sediments only. of the 225 microfilariae measured, 212 were identified as cercopithifilaria bai ...201424271152
tick infestation and prophylaxis of dogs in northeastern germany: a prospective study.ticks transmit various important pathogens to humans and animals, and dogs are frequently exposed to tick infestation. the objective of this study was to examine tick infestation and the characteristics of tick prophylaxis of dogs in the berlin/brandenburg area. a total of 441 dogs (392 owners) was examined from march 2010 to april 2011. the dog owners participated in the study for a period of 1-13 months (10.33±2.85; median 11.00). the prevalences of a total of 1728 ticks collected from 251 (57 ...201424629616
identification of rickettsiae from wild rats and cat fleas in malaysia.rickettsioses are emerging zoonotic diseases reported worldwide. in spite of the serological evidence of spotted fever group rickettsioses in febrile patients in malaysia, limited studies have been conducted to identify the animal reservoirs and vectors of rickettsioses. this study investigated the presence of rickettsiae in the tissue homogenates of 95 wild rats and 589 animal ectoparasites. using pcr assays targeting the citrate synthase gene (glta), rickettsial dna was detected in the tissue ...201425171613
the intravenous and oral pharmacokinetics of afoxolaner used as a monthly chewable antiparasitic for dogs.the pharmacokinetics of afoxolaner in dogs was evaluated following either intravenous or after oral administration of nexgard(®), a soft chewable formulation. afoxolaner is a member of one of the newest classes of antiparasitic agents, known as antiparasitic isoxazolines. the soft chewable formulation underwent rapid dissolution, and afoxolaner was absorbed quickly following oral administration of the minimum effective dose of 2.5mg/kg, with maximum plasma concentrations (cmax) of 1,655 ± 332 ng ...201424685320
ectoparasites in urban stray cats in jerusalem, israel: differences in infestation patterns of fleas, ticks and permanent ectoparasites.in a period cross-sectional study performed to examine ectoparasites on 340 stray cats in jerusalem, israel, 186 (54.7%) were infested with the cat flea, ctenocephalides felis (siphonaptera: pulicidae), 49 (14.4%) with the cat louse, felicola subrostratus (phthiraptera: trichodectidae), 41 (12.0%) with the ear mite, otodectes cynotis (astigmata: psoroptidae), three (0.9%) with the fur mite, cheyletiella blakei (trobidiformes: cheyletidae), two (0.6%) with the itch mite notoedres cati (astigmata: ...201424191942
morphological alterations in the synganglion and integument of rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks exposed to aqueous extracts of neem leaves (azadirachta indica a. juss).currently, the necessity of controlling infestation by ticks, especially by rhipicephalus sanguineus, has led researchers and public health managers around the world to search for new and more efficient control methods. this way, we can highlight neem (azadirachta indica a. juss) leaf, bark, and seed extracts, which have been very effective on tick control, and moreover causing less damage to the environment and to the host. this study showed the potential of neem as a control method for r. sang ...201425130979
ixodidae ticks in cattle and sheep in sistan and baluchestan province (iran).this survey was conducted to investigate the presence and abundance of hard tick species (acari: ixodidae) on cattle and sheep in sistan and baluchestan province (iran). between 2010 and 2011, a total of 1,403 ticks was collected from 332 infested cattle and 1,480 ticks were collected from 602 infested sheep during the seasons of tick activity. the species collected from cattle were hyalomma marginatum (46.04%), hyalomma excavatum (25.51%), hyalomma anatolicum (10.33%), hyalomma asiaticum (6.34% ...201424715595
tick pests and vectors (acari: ixodoidea) in european towns: introduction, persistence and management.ticks have always been a part of fauna in and around human settlements, and their significance changed concurrently with the enlargement of settlements and their transformation into towns. the increased rate of urbanization during the last decades has created a new reality for tick existence. two groups of ticks are of major concern for modern towns: those living under natural conditions of urban surroundings and those well-adapted to urban conditions. during the process of urbanization, encroac ...201424183576
a nationwide survey of ixodid tick species recovered from domestic dogs and cats in japan in 2011.a nationwide survey of ixodid ticks was performed in 2011, during which a total of 4237 and 298 ticks were recovered from 1162 dogs and 136 cats, respectively. haemaphysalis longicornis was the most frequently found tick species on canine hosts (739 dogs), followed by h. flava (166), ixodes ovatus (139), and rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (70). h. hystricis, h. japonica, h. megaspinosa, h. formosensis, h. campanulata, h. ias, i. nipponensis, i. persulcatus, and amblyomma testudinarium were ...201425155339
prospects of using dna barcoding for species identification and evaluation of the accuracy of sequence databases for ticks (acari: ixodida).ticks are important vectors of disease and parasites of livestock. species identification of ticks has been traditionally based on morphological characters, which is usually limited by the condition of samples and little variation among specimens, so a rapid and reliable identification method is needed. dna barcoding uses a standard fragment of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase c subunit i (coi) to identify species and has been successfully used in many taxa. in this study, we applied dn ...201424656809
a biological/medical review of alien tick species (acari: ixodida) accidentally transferred to poland.alien tick species of the genera ixodes, amblyomma, hyalomma and rhipicephalus are sporadically transferred to the territories of the central european countries. a biological-medical review of the following alien tick species transferred to poland is presented: ixodes eldaricus, ixodes festai, amblyomma sphenodonti, amblyomma exornatumn, amblyomma flavomaculatum, amblyomma latum, amblyomma nuttalli, amblyomma quadricavum, amblyomma transversale, amblyomma varanense, hyalomma aegyptium, hyalomma ...201424930246
impact of humidity on clustered tick eggs.eclosion of larvae from clustered tick eggs (1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 50, and ±1,000 eggs) of rhipicephalus sanguineus (rs), rhipicephalus microplus (rm), amblyomma cajennense (ac), and dermacentor nitens (dn) was investigated at 43, 75, and > 98% relative humidity (rh) and 25 °c. susceptibility of eggs to dehydration varied among tick species (rs < rm < ac and dn) and the number of clustered eggs but even singularized eggs of all tested species matured, and larvae eclosed at rh > 98%. a minimum of ...201425199556
acaricidal activity of essential oil from lippia sidoides on unengorged larvae and nymphs of rhipicephalus sanguineus (acari: ixodidae) and amblyomma cajennense (acari: ixodidae).the aims of this work were to identify the compounds and to investigate the acaricidal activity of the essential oil of lippia sidoides for unengorged larvae and nymphs of rhipicephalus sanguineus and amblyomma cajennense. the oil was analyzed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. in total, 22 compounds comprising 98.5% of the total peak area were identified. the major constituent of the essential oil was thymol (69.9%). the acaricidal activity against larvae and nymphs ...201424333789
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