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Soliman AM, Mahmoud HYAH, Hifumi T, Tanaka T. Discovery of Colpodella spp. in ticks (Hyalomma dromedarii) infesting camels in southern Egypt. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2024; 15:102352. [PMID: 38759344 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
In Egypt, tick-borne diseases pose a significant threat to human and animal health, and the threat to dromedaries (Camelus dromedarius), the country's dominant camelid species, is of particular concern. These animals are frequently infested with ticks, and may thus develop tick-borne diseases or become reservoirs of tick-borne pathogens. However, there is a paucity of data on tick infestation in Egyptian camels, especially in the south of the country. Accordingly, we aimed to determine the prevalence of tick infestation in southern Egyptian camel populations (in Luxor and Aswan governorates), and identify the hemoprotozoan parasites carried by camel-infesting ticks. Camels were checked for ticks during veterinary examination at quarantine and household checks, and ticks were collected from infested camels for species identification using morphological examination and PCR analyses. Tick and hemoprotozoan species were identified using Basic Local Alignment Search Tool analysis with subsequent confirmation in phylogenetic analyses. All camel-infesting ticks belonged to the species Hyalomma dromedarii, and were clustered with ticks of this species previously found in Egypt in a phylogenetic tree based on the 16S rRNA gene. Molecular analysis targeting the 18S rRNA gene revealed the presence of hitherto undetected hemoprotozoan parasites, Colpodella spp., in 30/297 (10.1 %) camel-infesting ticks. In phylogenetic analysis, these Colpodella spp. were highly homologous (94-98.6 %) with Colpodella spp. previously deposited in GenBank with accession numbers OQ540590Q, MH208621, and GQ411073, which relate to Colpodella spp. previously detected from Haemaphysalis longicornis, Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides, and humans in China. PCR analyses with spherical body protein-4 (SBP-4) gene-specific primers revealed Babesia bovis in 16/297 (5 %) of camel-infesting ticks, however, Babesia bigemina and Theileria annulata were not detected. Here, we report the first detection of Colpodella spp. in H. dromedarii in Egypt. Further epidemiological studies are needed to assess the risk to camels and humans, and the transmission dynamics. Based on the high tick infestation rates in Egyptian camels and the identification of previously unreported protozoan hemoparasites in ticks, we consider that the dromedary should be subject to surveillance as a sentinel species for tick-borne diseases in Egypt. Our findings underline the need for surveillance and collecting data on lesser known pathogens circulating in camel-infesting ticks, as part of a public health strategy for dealing with tick-borne diseases in Egypt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed M Soliman
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan; Biotechnology Department, Animal Health Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Dokki 12618, Giza, Egypt
| | - Hassan Y A H Mahmoud
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Animal Medicine Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, South Valley University, Qena 83523, Egypt
| | - Tatsuro Hifumi
- Laboratory of Veterinary Histopathology, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Tanaka
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan.
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Abouelhassan EM, GadAllah S, Kamel MS, Kamal M, Elsayed HH, Sallam NH, Okely M. Molecular identification and morphological variations of Amblyomma lepidum imported to Egypt, with notes about its potential distribution under climate change. Parasitol Res 2024; 123:276. [PMID: 39017762 PMCID: PMC11255089 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-024-08284-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
The tick Amblyomma lepidum is an ectoparasite of veterinary importance due to its role in transmitting livestock diseases in Africa, including heartwater. This study was conducted in 2023 to monitor Amblyomma spp. infestation in dromedary camels imported from Somalia, Ethiopia, and Sudan to Egypt. This study inspected 200 camels at the Giza governorate's camel market that had been imported from Somalia, 200 from Ethiopia, and 200 from Sudan for tick infestation. Specimens were identified using morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses of the 12S and 16S rRNA genes. Clusters were calculated using an unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic averages (UPGMA) dendrogram to group the specimens according to their morphometric characteristics. The morphometric analysis compared the body shape of ticks collected from different countries by analyzing dorsal features. Principal component analysis (PCA) and canonical variate analysis (CVA) were performed to obtain body shape variation among specimens from different countries. Results indicated that camels were infested by 57 males Amblyomma lepidum, and no female specimens were observed; among these specimens, one may have a morphological abnormality. The results suggest that A. lepidum specimens collected from camels imported to Egypt from African countries exhibit locally adapted morphology with variations among specimens, particularly variations in body size. This adaptation suggests minimal potential for genetic divergence. Ecological niche modeling was used to predict the areas in Africa with suitable climates for A. lepidum. The study confirmed that East African countries might have the most favorable climatic conditions for A. lepidum to thrive. Interestingly, the amount of rain during the wettest quarter (Bio16) had the strongest influence on the tick's potential distribution, with suitability decreasing sharply as rainfall increased. Future predictions indicate that the climatic habitat suitability for A. lepidum will decrease under changing climate conditions. However, historical, current, and future predictions indicate no suitable climatic habitats for A. lepidum in Egypt. These findings demand continuous surveillance of A. lepidum in camel populations and the development of targeted strategies to manage tick infestations and prevent the spread of heartwater disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eman M Abouelhassan
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, 41522, Egypt
| | - Sohair GadAllah
- Entomology Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Abbassia, Cairo, 11566, Egypt
| | - Marwa S Kamel
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, 41522, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud Kamal
- Entomology Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Abbassia, Cairo, 11566, Egypt
| | - Hazem H Elsayed
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, 11566, Egypt
| | - Nahla H Sallam
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, 41522, Egypt
| | - Mohammed Okely
- Entomology Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Abbassia, Cairo, 11566, Egypt.
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Elango A, Shriram AN, Raju HK, Kumar A. Study on the Ixodid ticks species diversity (Acari: Ixodidae) on domestic ruminants in different agro-climatic regions of Tamil Nadu. Trop Anim Health Prod 2024; 56:73. [PMID: 38336895 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-024-03912-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
A survey of Ixodid tick species diversity on domestic ruminants was conducted in seven agro-climatic regions of Tamil Nadu State, India. Tick surveys were conducted on domestic ruminants such as cattle, buffalo, sheep, and goat in seven districts of Tamil Nadu. The overall tick infestation was 38.8%, 5.8%, 14.6%, and 40.8% on cattle, buffaloes, sheep, and goats, respectively. A total of 8068 ticks from 18 species belonging to four genera were recorded. Overall, Haemaphysalis intermedia was the predominant (51.38%) tick species which has a wide host range. The most prevalent tick species in cattle and buffalo were Rhipicephalus (B.) microplus (25.41%) and Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides (56.69%), respectively. Haemaphysalis intermedia was the most prevalent in ticks in sheep (70.35%), goat (70.35%), and dog (55.79%). In the present study, local anomalies such as the ectromely of one leg and the absence of adanal plates were observed in Rh. haemaphysaloides. The study also found that local anomaly such as protuberances in the hind tarsal and atrophy of the adanal plate was observed in Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus. In addition, a general anomaly with three atrophy caudal appendages was also observed in Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus. The overall prevalence of anomalies in Rh. haemaphysaloides and Rh. (B.) microplus was 0.3% (3/971) and 0.4% (3/678), respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayyanar Elango
- Division of Vector Biology and Control, Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, ICMR-Vector Control Research CentreGOIIndira Nagar, Medical Complex, Puducherry, 605 006, India.
| | - Ananganallur Nagarajan Shriram
- Division of Vector Biology and Control, Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, ICMR-Vector Control Research CentreGOIIndira Nagar, Medical Complex, Puducherry, 605 006, India
| | - Hari Kishan Raju
- Climate Change, GIS and VBD Stratification/Mapping, Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, ICMR-Vector Control Research CentreGOIIndira Nagar, Medical Complex, Puducherry, 605 006, India
| | - Ashwani Kumar
- Department of Health Research, ICMR-Vector Control Research CentreGOIIndira Nagar, Ministry of Health& Family Welfare, Medical Complex, Puducherry, 605 006, India
- Centre for Global Health Research, Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai 605102, Chennai, India
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Liu Y, Mi X, Wang B, Wu J, He W, Luo T, Yang D, Hu Z, Gan L, Nuo M, Zheng H, Hu E, Guo Q. A case of gynandromorphism in Hyalomma anatolicum (Ixodida: Ixodidae). EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2023; 91:133-137. [PMID: 37548825 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-023-00831-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
We present a field-collected Hyalomma anatolicum gynandromorph in Xinjiang, China. Compared to the normal H. anatolicum, the gynandromorphic tick was a typical bipartite protogynander: half of the tick body displayed normal female traits, whereas the other side showed normal male traits. The engorged gynandromorphic tick laid hundreds of eggs, and the eggs looked normal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, 830052, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
| | - Xiaoyun Mi
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Animal Infectious Diseases/Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Academy of Animal Sciences, Urumqi, 830013, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
| | - Bingjie Wang
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Animal Infectious Diseases/Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Academy of Animal Sciences, Urumqi, 830013, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
| | - Jun Wu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, 830052, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
| | - Wenwen He
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, 830052, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
| | - Tingxiang Luo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, 830052, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
| | - Depeng Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, 830052, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
| | - Zhengxiang Hu
- College of Grassland Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, 830052, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
| | - Lu Gan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, 830052, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
| | - Mingdalai Nuo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, 830052, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
| | - Huizhen Zheng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, 830052, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
| | - Ercha Hu
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Animal Infectious Diseases/Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Academy of Animal Sciences, Urumqi, 830013, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China.
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, 830052, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China.
- Veterinary Medicine Postdoctoral Research Station of Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, 830052, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China.
| | - Qingyong Guo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, 830052, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China.
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