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The circulation of a rather wide range of pathogens of natural-focal infectious diseases transmitted by ticks was detected in West Africa at different points of time: Borrelia, Rickettsia, Coxiella, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), Bhanja, and bluetongue viruses, etc. Current epidemiological and epizootiological situation on natural-focal infectious diseases on the territory of the Republic of Guinea is not entirely clarified.The aim of this work was to identify genetic markers (RNA/DNA) of natural-focal infectious disease agents in samples of Ixodidae ticks collected in the Republic of Guinea, and to determine the spectrum of pathogens circulating in various landscape-geographical zones of the country.Materials and methods. To conduct research on the territory of all landscape-geographical zones of the Republic of Guinea, 4695 specimens of Ixodidae ticks of 11 species were collected. Taking into account the species appurtenance, gender, phase of development, as well as the site of collection, a panel of 1645 samples was compiled. Genetic markers of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever and tick-borne encephalitis viruses, as well as Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., Ehrlichia chaffeensis, Ehrlichia muris, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Coxiella burnetii, Rickettsia of the tick-borne spotted fever (TBSF) group, and Francisella tularensis were detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).Results and discussion. The following markers of natural-focal disease agents were found in the Ixodidae tick suspensions: DNA of Rickettsia of the TBSF group (25.6 % of all samples studied), DNA of C. burnetii (6.2 %), cDNA of B. burgdorferi s.l. (9.1 %), and RNA of the CCHF virus (2.5 %). The listed spectrum of pathogens has been registered in all landscape-geographical zones of Guinea. Genetic markers of tularemia, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis and tick-borne encephalitis pathogens have not been identified in this study. The results obtained made it possible to clarify the probable spectrum of tick-borne diseases in the territory of the Republic of Guinea, determined the need for further study of the circulation of natural-focal infectious disease agents in West Africa and conducting regular epizootiological monitoring.

The review focuses on the means of personal protection of people from blood-sucking arthropods, mainly from Ixodidae ticks. Individual (personal) protection of humans is an important component of nonspecific prevention of natural-focal vector-borne diseases. The paper considers statistical data describing the level of significance and relevance of the information about the infections transmitted by ticks, for instance, tick-borne viral encephalitis, tick-borne borreliosis etc. Presented are the characteristics of different groups of personal protection means: insectoacaricidal, repellent, and insectoacaricidal-repellent ones. Indicators of their effectiveness are assessed; their practical use, as well as the features of special protective clothing and the necessity of its application is described. The toxicity of protective clothing is reduced through a lining fabric, local inserts of fabric with insectoacaricidal impregnation and the use of underwear. Different interpretation of the term “repellent” in the domestic and foreign literature, and also two different approaches (“Eastern” and “Western”) to the design and manufacture of personal protection means for people against attacks of blood-sucking arthropods, including Ixodidae ticks, in Russia and Western Europe countries and the USA is discussed. The paper highlights the effect of different pyrethroid groups on the behavioral reactions of ticks. It is shown that in the Russian Federation the use of permethrin is prohibited for the treatment of protective clothing against blood-sucking arthropods, in particular against the taiga tick Ixodes persulcatus, which is the main vector of dangerous infections across the major part of the country (in the east of the European part, the Urals, Siberia and the Far East).

The aim of study was to conduct epizootiological monitoring of natural tularemia foci of the steppe type and investigate epizootic activity in the south-east of the Rostov Region.Materials and methods. An epizootiological survey was carried out on the territory of Remontnensky, Sal’sky and Peschanokopsky districts of the Rostov Region in 2019–2021. To capture and collect mammals, Ixodidae ticks and to study the samples of field material conventional methods were used.Results and discussion. Habitation of 16 species of small mammals, 6 species of Ixodidae ticks has been found. Molecular-genetic analysis of the voles has revealed the presence of the species Microtus arvalis obscurus in the studied area of the region. The circulation of the tularemia agent has been established in the population of common and social voles, forest mouse, hare, rook, Dermacentor marginatus, Hyalomma marginatum, removed from rooks. In May 2020, a high increase in the number of the social vole in the Remontnensky district (up to 21 %), in July 2020 – the common vole in the agrocenoses of the Sal’sky district (up to 33 %) was observed. An extensive epizooty of tularemia was detected in the population of common vole in the south-east of the Rostov Region and in adjacent territories in the Republic of Kalmykia and the Stavropol territory. Two cultures of the pathogen were isolated from the fallen and captured social voles, and four cultures – from the common vole. The isolated strains belong to the Holarctic subspecies of Francisella tularensis EryR. The results obtained attest to the activation of the natural tularemia focus in the south-east of the Rostov Region and its high epizootic activity.

The relevance of this study is conditioned upon the substantial importance of the history of the discovery and research of Lyme borreliosis for medical science and veterinary medicine, since new theories, experiments, conclusions are built on the research of scientists who have proved the existence of this disease in animals and humans, and positive practices are accumulated regarding methods and schemes of treatment and prevention. The purpose of this study was to analyse the literature primary sources covering the history of the discovery, the results of the study of Lyme borreliosis disease to understand the features of its course and search for effective diagnostic and treatment methods. The chronology of the main results confirming the existence of Lyme borreliosis caused by Ixodidae ticks is summarised. Scientific sources covering the history of the discovery and research of Lyme borreliosis were analysed to understand the features of its course and search for effective methods of laboratory diagnostics and treatment. The main projects of the European Union programme aimed at financing research and innovative development “Horizon 2020” were determined. It was found that the projects in the field of Lyme borreliosis research also relate to certain topics, namely the creation of tests for the detection of Lyme disease, the study of the vectors of the causative agents of this disease, the development of an appropriate vaccine, and the assessment of the risks of consequences for human and animal health. It was concluded that the main areas of research are as follows: persistence of diseases and their causative agents transmitted by Ixodidae ticks; natural control of Ixodidae ticks; detection of pathogens in Ixodidae ticks; level of infection of vertebrates; habitats and natural foci of vectors and their hosts; testing and medical trials; effect of magnetic field on Borrelia; genome mapping of Borrelia species, visualisation of the human brain for disease research; research by polymerase chain reaction; endocrine studies; immune complexes, diagnosis of neuropsychiatric complications in children and adults. The practical value of this study lies in the awareness of modern scientists about the chronology of the study of Lyme borreliosis, the main ways of distribution and methods of its diagnosis in animals and humans, determining the prospects for further research according to the topical issues covered in this paper, which are solved within the framework of international projects

Anaplasmosis of ruminants is a group of natural focal infections caused by bacteria from the genus Anaplasma of the Anaplasmataceae family. The main etiological agent of anaplasmosis in sheep, goats, and wild ruminants is Anaplasma ovis, which parasitizes in the erythrocytes of these animals. The purpose of this study was the finding and identification of Anaplasma spp. in the blood of small ruminants using genetic methods and obtaining data on the distribution of anaplasmosis in the Irkutsk region. 20 goat blood samples, 611 sheep blood samples and 209 Dermacentor nuttalli ticks from 12 districts of the Irkutsk region were examined for the presence of Anaplasma spp. Only one type of anaplasma, A. ovis, was found among the genotyped samples. A. ovis was found in the blood of sheep and goats in all of the studied districts of the Irkutsk region. The proportion of sheep blood samples containing anaplasma DNA varied from 30 % to 85 %, in goats – from 10 % to 100 % in different districts, and averaged 57.8 % in sheep and 55,0 % in goats. Frequency of infection of D. nuttalli ticks with A. ovis was 5.7 %. The nucleotide sequences of the samples detected in the blood of small ruminants on the territory of the Irkutsk region differed from each other by a single nucleotide substitution and were identical to the sequences of the type strain Haibei, as well as the sequences of A. ovis previously found in the blood of sheep from Mongolia, deer from China, and Dermacentor niveus and Dermacentor nuttalli ticks from China. These sequences were also identical to the sequences previously found in the blood of sheep from Altai and in Dermacentor nuttalli ticks from Tuva, which indicates the wide distribution of these A. ovis genovariants in Siberia and the probable role of D. nuttalli as a carrier of the agent of anaplasmosis of small ruminants in the Irkutsk region.

Infestation of the road-killed hedgehogs (Erinaceus roumanicus) with Ixodes ticks in some parts of Upper Thracian Plain (Bulgaria) was investigated. A total of 5 tick species from 3 genera were identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relevance of this study is conditioned upon the substantial importance of the history of the discovery and research of Lyme borreliosis for medical science and veterinary medicine, since new theories, experiments, conclusions are built on the research of scientists who have proved the existence of this disease in animals and humans, and positive practices are accumulated regarding methods and schemes of treatment and prevention. The purpose of this study was to analyse the literature primary sources covering the history of the discovery, the results of the study of Lyme borreliosis disease to understand the features of its course and search for effective diagnostic and treatment methods. The chronology of the main results confirming the existence of Lyme borreliosis caused by Ixodidae ticks is summarised. Scientific sources covering the history of the discovery and research of Lyme borreliosis were analysed to understand the features of its course and search for effective methods of laboratory diagnostics and treatment. The main projects of the European Union programme aimed at financing research and innovative development "Horizon 2020" were determined. It was found that the projects in the field of Lyme borreliosis research also relate to certain topics, namely the creation of tests for the detection of Lyme disease, the study of the vectors of the causative agents of this disease, the development of an appropriate vaccine, and the assessment of the risks of consequences for human and animal health. It was concluded that the main areas of research are as follows: persistence of diseases and their causative agents transmitted by Ixodidae ticks; natural control of Ixodidae ticks; detection of pathogens in Ixodidae ticks; level of infection of vertebrates; habitats and natural foci of vectors and their hosts; testing and medical trials; effect of magnetic field on Borrelia; genome mapping of Borrelia species, visualisation of the human brain for disease research; research by polymerase chain reaction; endocrine studies; immune complexes, diagnosis of neuropsychiatric complications in children and adults. The practical value of this study lies in the awareness of modern scientists about the chronology of the study of Lyme borreliosis, the main ways of distribution and methods of its diagnosis in animals and humans, determining the prospects for further research according to the topical issues covered in this paper, which are solved within the framework of international projects [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The present study was carried out to identify the Ixodidae ticks fauna of livestock and their seasonal activity in the cities of Boyer-Ahmad and Dena of Kohgiluyeh Province, south-west of Iran. Materials and Methods: Hard ticks from sheep, goats, and cattle were collected manually, stored in 70% ethanol, and identified using morphological characters. Results: During the study, a total of 1273 hard ticks from four genera, including Rhipicephalus, Hyalomma, Dermacentor, and Haemaphysalis, were collected. Rhipicephalus sanguineus (s.l.) had the highest frequencies in both cities with 62.08 and 62.88% of collected specimens, followed by Hyalomma scupense with 14.36 and 13.54% in Boyer-Ahmad and Dena, respectively. Furthermore, Hyalomma marginatum with only one sample or 0.12% of collected ticks showed the lowest frequencies in the studied areas. Dermacentor marginatus with three samples or 0.37% was recorded only in Boyer-Ahmad, and Haemaphysalis sulcata with two samples or 0.43% was recorded only in Dena. In both cities, sheep were the most infested ruminant, and the ears in sheep and goats were the most affected areas. The highest activity was observed in spring, and the lowest activity was observed in winter and autumn. Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that Hyalomma and Rhipicephalus genera were the most widespread genera in the study areas. Regarding the importance of genera, such as Rhipicephalus, Hyalomma, and Haemaphysalis, in transmitting disease agents and the location of Kohgiloyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province in the routes of migrant birds, further studies are required to elucidate their exact roles in human and livestock health in these areas.

Objective of the study is to summarize long-term data on the dynamics of areal and abundance rates of the prairie tick, D. reticulatus in the territory of the Tula Region. Materials and methods. Processed and reviewed have been literature sources, archive documents, and results of personal observations over a period of 1949–2013. Applied have been computer-based software products Google Earth, MapInfo Professional v. 11.5. wrapped in GIS Software Package. Results and conclusions. It is determined that over the last decade D. reticulatus has been found not only in the forest and adjacent western forest-steppe zone, but also in the eastern and south-eastern forest-steppe area. Specified have been the territories with uniformly high density of population and sparse distribution of D. reticulatus ticks. It is established that nowadays abundance rates of the ticks show no substantial differences both in the forestmeadow areas of the forest zone, and similar areas of the forest-steppe zone. Identified has been correlation between the nature of F. tularensis culture isolation from D. reticulatus and intensity of epizootic process of tularemia infection, which allows for in-time targeted epizootiological survey and regulation of preventive activities.

The aim. To analyse the epidemiological situation on the ixodidae tick-borne infections in Kemerovo Region and to determine their clinical and epidemiological peculiarities in Novokuznetsk.The materials and methods. There have been analysed the official statistical data on the tick-borne infections, morbidity in the course of 10 years. There have been observed 240 patients: 106 cases of the tick-borne encephalitis, 118 cases of the Ixodidae tick-borne borreliosis, 13 cases of the tick-borne typhus, 3 cases accompanied with the tick-born infection.The antibodies to the tick-borne encephalitic virus, to Borreliae, to Erlichiae in the patients, serum and the antigene of the tick-borne encephalitic virus in the ticks were tested by the method of the immunoenzymatic analysis, the antibodies to Rickettsiae were tested by the method of the complement-fixation reaction.The results. The activity of the diseases, carriers is from 95 to 105 days in the course of different years. The maximum rate of morbidity cases is at the end of May and June. About 80% of residents of towns and cities suffer from these diseases. The encephalitic virus contagiousness of the ticks is 1,5–5,4 on different parts of the area. In the course of 10 years the rate of the tick-borne viral encephalitis morbidity in the regionhas decreased from 6,7 to 2,96, which 2 or 3 times exceeds Russia, average rate. Novokuznetsk rate is lower as compared with Kemerovo region, rate, varying from 5,3 to 2,1, without clear tendency to lowering of the rate; the meningeal and feverish forms being mainly registered. The Ixodidae tick-borne borreliosis morbidity in the region has increased and makes 3,9–10,1, which is higher than its level in Russia. In Novokuznetsk this rate is lower than in the region and in Russia (2,0–6,3), the erythematic and non-erythematic forms being registered with equal rate. About 2–3 cases of the tick-borne typhus have been registered every year. The cases of the monocytic erlichiosis of man are not registered. Tick-borne infections accompanying other diseases are diagnosed very rarely.The conclusion. In the etiological structure of the tickborne infections on the territory under investigation the leading importance have the tick-borne viral encephalitis (the morbidity rate has decreased) and Ixodidae tick-borne borreliosis (the morbidity rate has increased).

The territory of the Crimean Peninsula is an endemic one as regards various natural-focal infections. The paper contains the data on epizootiological survey of 8 administrative regions of the Crimean Federal District (CFD). Carried out has been small mammals and Ixodidae ticks census. Identified is their species composition. Performed have been the field samples collection and laboratory studies for the presence of bacterial and viral infection agents. Established is the fact that H. marginatum is a dominating species among the ticks, collected during the spring season, while the house mouse prevails among the small mammals. As for the autumn collection of samples, the dominating species are H. punctata and common vole, respectively. Laboratory investigation results indicate the circulation of the agents of Ku fever, tick-borne spotty fever, Ixodidae tick-borne borreliosis, human granulocytic anaplasmosis, monocytic ehrlichiosis, hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome and leptospirosis.

Isolates of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) from arthropod vectors (ticks and mosquitoes) in the Amur, the Jewish Autonomous and the Sakhalin regions as well as on the Khabarovsk territory of the Far East of Russia were studied. Different proportions of four main tick species of the family Ixodidae: Ixodes persulcatus P. Schulze, 1930; Haemaphysalis concinna Koch, 1844; Haemaphysalis japonica douglasi Nuttall et Warburton, 1915 and Dermacentor silvarum Olenev, 1932 were found in forests and near settlements. RT-PCR of TBEV RNA in adult ticks collected from vegetation in 1999–2014 revealed average infection rates of 7.9 ± 0.7% in I. persulcatus , of 5.6 ± 1.0% in H. concinna , of 2.0 ± 2.0% in H. japonica, and of 1.3 ± 1.3% in D . silvarum. Viral loads varied in a range from 10 2 to 10 9 TBEV genome-equivalents per a tick with the maximal values in I. persulcatus and H. japonica . Molecular typing using reverse transcription with subsequent real time PCR with subtype-specific fluorescent probes demonstrated that the Far Eastern (FE) subtype of TBEV predominated both in mono-infections and in mixed infection with the Siberian (Sib) subtype in I. persulcatus pools. TBEV strains of the FE subtype were isolated from I. persulcatus , H. concinna and from a pool of Aedes vexans mosquitoes. Ten TBEV strains isolated from I. persulcatus from the Khabarovsk territory and the Jewish Autonomous region between 1985 and 2013 cluster with the TBEV vaccine strain Sofjin of the FE subtype isolated from human brain in 1937. A TBEV strain from H. concinna collected in the Amur region (GenBank accession number KF880803 ) is similar to the vaccine strain 205 isolated in 1973 from I. persulcatus collected in the Jewish Autonomous region. The TBEV strain Lazo MP36 of the FE subtype isolated from a pool of A. vexans in the Khabarovsk territory in 2014 (KT001073) differs from strains isolated from 1) I. persulcatus (including the vaccine strain 205) and H. concinna ; 2) mosquitoes [strain Malishevo (KJ744034) isolated in 1978 from Aedes vexans nipponii in the Khabarovsk territory]; and 3) human brain (including the vaccine strain Sofjin). Accordingly, in the far eastern natural foci, TBEV of the prevailing FE subtype has remained stable since 1937. Both Russian vaccines against TBE based on the FE strains (Sofjin and 205) are similar to the new viral isolates and might protect against infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the analysis of the information concerning distribution and abundance of Ixodidae ticks in the territory of the Tula Region (1998-2012), obtained have been the new data on the expansion of I. ricinus habitat. Results of phyto-geographical zoning of the region have served as a landscape base for investigation of regularities as regards spatial distribution of the species. Specified have been the territories with low, medium, and high population density rate. Biotopes with the most favorable environmental conditions for the species are situated in the mixed woods of the Prioksky region and broad-leaved forests - of the Zasechny one. As for the forest-steppe areas, optimum biotopes are localized in the highland and steppificated oakwoods in the south of South-Eastern Region. Thus it has been established that in the recent decade I. ricinus ticks can be found not only in the forest areas, but in the forest-steppe ones too. This may be related to the increase in their numbers under favorable environmental conditions, reduction of farming lands, and shrub invasion. Average value for I. ricinus numbers in the forest area reaches 39.4 specimen/flag-kilometer; in the forest-steppe zone - 23.7 specimen/flag-kilometer. Identified have been potentially hazardous territories as regards natural-focal tick-borne infections, the agent circulation and transmission of which is sustained by I. ricinus. The finding in its turn sets the grounds for carrying out specific epizootiological surveillance and regulation of preventive measures.

As Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is the most common tick-borne disease in South America, the presence of Rickettsia sp. in Amblyomma ticks is a possible indication of its endemicity in certain geographic regions. In the present work, bacterial DNA sequences related to Rickettsia amblyommii genes in A. dubitatum ticks, collected in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso, were discovered. Simultaneously, Paracoccus sp. was detected in aproximately 77% of A. cajennense specimens collected in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This is the first report of Paracoccus sp. infection in a specific tick population, and raises the possibility of these bacteria being maintained and/or transmitted by ticks. Whether Paracoccus sp. represents another group of pathogenic Rhodobacteraceae or simply plays a role in A. cajennense physiology, is unknown. The data also demonstrate that the rickettsial 16S rRNA specific primers used forRickettsia spp. screening can also detect Paracoccus alpha-proteobacteria infection in biological samples. Hence, a PCRRFLP strategy is presented to distinguish between these two groups of bacteria.

Investigation of the fauna of Ixodidae ticks in the territory of the Rostov Region resulted in identification of the seven species belonging to five genera – Hyalomma, Dermacentor, Rhipicephalus, Ixodes, Haemaphysalis: H. m. marginatum, H. scupense, D. marginatus, R. rossicus, I. ricinus, I. laguri and Haem. punctata. Continuous expansion of H. m. marginatum to the northern part of the region was observed. Analysis of spatial distribution of H. m. marginatum as well as D. marginatus, R. rossicus, I. ricinusand other ticks using average indices of their long-term abundance permitted to identify groups of areas with low, increased and high indices of tick abundance. This allowed to determine potential risk areas, with the presence of vectors and a reservoir of tick-borne infections as Crimean hemorrhagic fever, Q fever and tick-borne borrelioses. The results obtained in the investigation could serve as a basis for carrying out epizootic surveys and implementation of specified preventive measures.

Tick selenoproteins have been associated with antioxidant activity in ticks. Thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), also a selenoprotein, belongs to the pyridine nucleotide-disulphide oxidoreductase family of proteins and is an important antioxidant. Molecular interactions between native microbiota and tick hosts have barely been investigated to date. In this study, we determined the functional role of TrxR in tick feeding and in maintenance of the native microbial community. TrxR transcript levels remained high and microbial load was reduced throughout tick attachment to the vertebrate host. RNA interference (RNAi) showed that depletion of TrxR activity did not interfere with tick haematophagy or phenotype but did reduce the viability of the microbiome within the tick tissues, presumably by perturbing redox homeostasis. The transcriptional activity of various antioxidant genes remained unaffected whereas the antioxidant genes Manganese superoxide dismutase ( MnSOD), copper/zinc superoxide dismutase ( Cu/Zn SOD) and selenoprotein M ( SelM) were significantly down-regulated in salivary glands of the ticks subjected to RNAi. The perturbed TrxR enzymatic activity in the knocked-down tick tissues negatively affected the bacterial load as well. Furthermore, we observed the altered bacterial profiles in TrxR-silenced tick tissues. Taken together, these results indicate an essential functional role for TrxR in maintaining the bacterial community associated with ticks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This survey was performed to find out the infestation rate of Ixodidae ticks in domestic ruminants in Ilam County during 21 March 2009 to 23 August 2009. Sampling was performed in 25 villages and 15 animal farm from different areas of this County. A total of 1,316 ticks were collected from 416 cattle, 208 sheep and 147 goats. The overall prevalence of ticks was recorded: 43, 23.5, and 49/6 % in cattle, sheep, and goats respectively. The number of ticks that collected from cattle, sheep, and goat were 328, 573, and 415 respectively. According to the host, Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum (71.4 %), Hyalomma asiaticum asiaticum (17.6 %) and Rhipicephalus bursa (11 %) were collected from cattle. Hy. anatolicum (32.1 %), Rh. bursa (42.2 %), Rhipicephalus sanguineus (17.3 %) and Haemaphysalis inermis (8.4 %) were collected in sheep. Rh. bursa (41.5 %), Rh. sanguineus (43.2 %) and Ha. inermis (15.3 %) were observed in goats. In this study, ticks infestation rate of cattle, sheep and goat were (43 %), (23.5 %) and (49.6 %) respectively. In this survey the ticks distribution on the body surface of infested ruminants the highest infestation was found in the udder and tail (21 %) in cattle, ear (42.5 %) and tail (30 %) in sheep and ear (63 %) and tail (17 %) in goats. The lowest number of ticks in body surface of ruminants was observed in the ear and shoulder (2 %) in cattle, head and neck (2 %) in sheep and udder (7 %) in goats. Hy. anatolicum anatolicum, Rh. Sanguineus and Rh.bursa were dominant tick in domestic ruminants of Ilam County. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The arthropod cuticle acts as a physiochemical barrier protecting the organism from pathogens' entry. Entomopathogenic fungi actively penetrate the cuticles of arthropod hosts and are therefore directly affected by cuticle composition. Previously we have observed thatMetarhiziumspp. developing on resistant ticks ultimately die without penetrating tick's cuticle, suggesting that the cuticles of resistant ticks have antifungal compounds. In the present study, lipids and water-soluble cuticular components were extracted from engorged female tick cuticles, of one susceptible and one resistant tick species toMetarhiziumspp. While conidia exposed to lipids from the susceptible tick,Rhipicephalus annulatus, germinated and differentiated into appressorium, conidia exposed to lipids from the resistant tick,Hyalomma excavatum, were inhibited. Soluble cuticular component extracts from both susceptible and resistant ticks stimulated conidial germination but not appressorium differentiation. A comparative analysis of the fatty acid profile in lipid extract of each tick exhibited similar compositions, but the relative abundance of C16:0, C18:0, C18:1ω9C and C20:0 was 2–5 times higher in the extracts from resistant ticks. All of these fatty acids inhibited conidial germinationin vitroat 1% and 0.1% w/v concentration, but C20:0 stimulated appressorium differentiation at low concentration. This is the first report demonstrating a possible link between the presence of antifungal compounds in a specific concentration in tick cuticle and tick resistance to infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which examined the common prevalent ticks infesting donkeys and associated risk factors in six peasant associations of Ada'a and Akaki districts in Ethiopia. Tick collection and preservation are detailed, as well as laboratory techniques for tick examination. The overall prevalence of tick infestation was recorded as 32 percent, with 42 percent found in older donkeys. Amblyomma (A) variegatum ticks were from belly, ear and inguinal areas, respectively while Rhipicephalus evertsi (R.E.) evertsi were from the perianal area. R. pulchelus and Boophilus tick species were only found in two areas, the ear and belly.

Introduction: Ticks are major health problems of goats that contribute to a significant economic loss in Ethiopia., Methods: A cross-sectional study using a systematic random sampling technique was conducted to determine the prevalence, potential risk factors of hard ticks (Acarina: Ixodidae) of goats, and the acaricide utilization practice of herd owners in the Benatsemay district., Results: Out of 285 examined goats, 85.26% of goats were found infested by Rhipicephalus and Amblyomma tick genera. The body condition score of goats was the only factor that was significantly ( p < 0.05) associated with tick infestations. The frequently identified tick species were Rhipicephalus pulchellus (14.38%), Rh. decoloratus (11.22%), A. cohaerens (5.26%) and A. variegatum (4.21%), and mixed infestation (38.59%). Herd owner's questionnaire survey revealed that 100% of interviewees responded that tick infestations were frequently encountered throughout the year and prevailed on aged goats (90%) and dry season (60%). Concurrent usage of ethnomedicinal plants and conventional acaricides were dominant practices to control tick infestation as responded by 60% of interviewees. Among the conventional acaricides, Diazinon and Ivermectin were the most practiced acaricides as replied by 90% of the respondents. Moreover, community animal health workers (CAHWs) (43.33%) and owners themselves (33.33%) were primarily responsible for acaricide application to tick-infested animals. About 66.67% of the livestock owner's responses also disclosed that diazinon was the most effective acaricide followed by ivermectin (16.67%) and amitraz (6.67%). Finally, 56.57% of the respondents replied that acaricidal drugs from private veterinary drug shops were overpriced than the same acaricides from government veterinary clinics., Conclusion: In this study, there was a high prevalence of hard ticks in goats, and irrational application of acaricides was noted in the Benatsemay district; thus, appropriate tick control measures should be taken to minimize tick burden through using acaricides., Competing Interests: All authors declared no competing conflicts of interest for this work., (© 2021 Kifle et al.)

Aim: The present study was carried out to identify the Ixodidae ticks fauna of livestock and their seasonal activity in the cities of Boyer-Ahmad and Dena of Kohgiluyeh Province, south-west of Iran., Materials and Methods: Hard ticks from sheep, goats, and cattle were collected manually, stored in 70% ethanol, and identified using morphological characters., Results: During the study, a total of 1273 hard ticks from four genera, including Rhipicephalus , Hyalomma , Dermacentor , and Haemaphysalis , were collected. Rhipicephalus sanguineus (s.l.) had the highest frequencies in both cities with 62.08 and 62.88% of collected specimens, followed by Hyalomma scupense with 14.36 and 13.54% in Boyer-Ahmad and Dena, respectively. Furthermore, Hyalomma marginatum with only one sample or 0.12% of collected ticks showed the lowest frequencies in the studied areas. Dermacentor marginatus with three samples or 0.37% was recorded only in Boyer-Ahmad, and Haemaphysalis sulcata with two samples or 0.43% was recorded only in Dena. In both cities, sheep were the most infested ruminant, and the ears in sheep and goats were the most affected areas. The highest activity was observed in spring, and the lowest activity was observed in winter and autumn., Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that Hyalomma and Rhipicephalus genera were the most widespread genera in the study areas. Regarding the importance of genera, such as Rhipicephalus , Hyalomma , and Haemaphysali s, in transmitting disease agents and the location of Kohgiloyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province in the routes of migrant birds, further studies are required to elucidate their exact roles in human and livestock health in these areas.

Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) are bloodsucking arthropods involved in pathogen transmission in animals and humans. Tick activity depends on various ecological factors such as vegetation, hosts, and temperature. The aim of this study was to analyse the spatial/temporal distribution of ticks in six sites within a peri-urban area of Palermo (Natural Reserve of Monte Pellegrino) and correlate it with field data using Geographical Information System (GIS) data. A total of 3092 ticks were gathered via dragging method from June 2012 to May 2014. The species collected were: Ixodes ventalloi (46.09%), Hyalomma lusitanicum (19.99%), Rhipicephalus sanguineus (17.34%), Rhipicephalus pusillus (16.11%), Haemaphisalis sulcata (0.36%), Dermacentor marginatus (0.10%), and Rhipicephalus turanicus (0.03%). GIS analysis revealed environmental characteristics of each site, and abundance of each tick species was analysed in relation to time (monthly trend) and space (site-specific abundance). A relevant presence of I. ventalloi in site 2 and H. lusitanicum in site 5 was observed, suggesting the possible exposure of animals and humans to tick-borne pathogens. Our study shows the importance of surveillance of ticks in peri-urban areas and the useful implementation of GIS analysis in vector ecology; studies on temporal and spatial distribution of ticks correlated to GIS-based ecological analysis represent an integrated strategy for decision support in public health., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

As Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is the most common tick-borne disease in South America, the presence of Rickettsia sp. in Amblyomma ticks is a possible indication of its endemicity in certain geographic regions. In the present work, bacterial DNA sequences related to Rickettsia amblyommii genes in A. dubitatum ticks, collected in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso, were discovered. Simultaneously, Paracoccus sp. was detected in aproximately 77% of A. cajennense specimens collected in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This is the first report of Paracoccus sp. infection in a specific tick population, and raises the possibility of these bacteria being maintained and/or transmitted by ticks. Whether Paracoccus sp. represents another group of pathogenic Rhodobacteraceae or simply plays a role in A. cajennense physiology, is unknown. The data also demonstrate that the rickettsial 16S rRNA specific primers used forRickettsia spp. screening can also detect Paracoccus alpha-proteobacteria infection in biological samples. Hence, a PCR-RFLP strategy is presented to distinguish between these two groups of bacteria.