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Skvarla MJ, Poh K, Norman C, Machtinger ET. Commercial products are not effective at repelling European deer keds, Lipoptena cervi (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) but may increase mortality after exposure. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2024:tjae109. [PMID: 39183458 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjae109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 07/29/2024] [Accepted: 08/07/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024]
Abstract
European deer keds, Lipoptena cervi (Linnaeus, 1758), are hematophagous ectoparasitic flies known to bite cervids and noncervids, including humans. To prevent deer keds from landing and biting hosts, 5 commercially available insect repellents (DEET, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), picaridin, and permethrin) and water control were evaluated to determine repellency efficacy and postexposure mortality of deer keds. While there was a significant difference between the groups tested, a post hoc analysis revealed that no treatment was significantly different from the water control. Deer ked survival was different amongst the treatments, with deer keds exposed to permethrin dying much sooner than those exposed to other treatments or control (median survival for permethrin = 0.58 h). Post-hoc pairwise comparisons revealed that deer keds exposed to DEET or IR3535 had similar survival rates (4.82 and 5.15 h, respectively). Still, there were significantly lower survival times for DEET compared to OLE (6.33 h) and picaridin (15.00 h). Deer keds exposed to the water control survived the longest (23.12 h). Overall, deer ked repellency was not significantly different from the control, but permethrin-treated clothes can effectively kill deer keds in a short amount of time, thereby protecting those who recreate outdoors or encounter animals carrying deer keds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Skvarla
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Karen Poh
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Calvin Norman
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, Penn State University, State College, PA, USA
| | - Erika T Machtinger
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
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2
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Kozisek F, Cenovic J, Armendariz S, Muthukrishnan S, Park Y, Thomas VC, Chaudhari SS. An optimized artificial blood feeding assay to study tick cuticle biology. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 168:104113. [PMID: 38527710 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2024.104113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Ticks, ectoparasitic arachnids, are prominent disease vectors impacting both humans and animals. Their unique blood-feeding phase involves significant abdominal cuticle expansion, sharing certain similarities with insects. However, vital aspects, including the mechanisms of cuticle expansion, changes in cuticular protein composition, chitin synthesis, and cuticle function, remain poorly understood. Given that the cuticle expansion is crucial for complete engorgement of the ticks, addressing these knowledge gaps is essential. Traditional tick research involving live animal hosts has inherent limitations, such as ethical concerns and host response variability. Artificial membrane feeding systems provide an alternative approach, offering controlled experimental conditions and reduced ethical dilemmas. These systems enable precise monitoring of tick attachment, feeding parameters, and pathogen acquisition. Despite the existence of various methodologies for artificial tick-feeding systems, there is a pressing need to enhance their reproducibility and effectiveness. In this context, we introduce an improved tick-feeding system that incorporates adjustments related to factors like humidity, temperature, and blood-feeding duration. These refinements markedly boost tick engorgement rates, presenting a valuable tool for in-depth investigations into tick cuticle biology and facilitating studies on molting. This refined system allows for collecting feeding ticks at specific stages, supporting research on tick cuticle biology, and evaluating chemical agents' efficacy in the engorgement process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faith Kozisek
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5900, United States
| | - Jonathon Cenovic
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5900, United States
| | - Savannah Armendariz
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5900, United States
| | - Subbaratnam Muthukrishnan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Chalmers Hall, Manhattan, KS, 66506, United States
| | - Yoonseong Park
- Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, Waters Hall, Manhattan, KS, 66506, United States
| | - Vinai C Thomas
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5900, United States
| | - Sujata S Chaudhari
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5900, United States.
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3
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Rochlin I, Chu D, Gmelin M, Le J, Furie MB, Thanassi DG, Kim HK. Optimization of artificial membrane feeding system for lone star ticks, Amblyomma americanum (Acari: Ixodidae), and experimental infection with Rickettsia amblyommatis (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae). JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2024; 61:442-453. [PMID: 38104248 PMCID: PMC10936164 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjad158] [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: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
With the introduction of siliconized artificial membranes, various artificial feeding systems (AFS) for hard ticks (Ixodidae) have been developed over the last decades. Most AFS utilize similar core components but employ diverse approaches, materials, and experimental conditions. Published work describes different combinations of the core components without experimental optimizations for the artificial feeding of different tick species. Amblyomma americanum L., (Acari: Ixodidae) (lone star tick) is a known vector and reservoir for diverse tick-borne pathogens, such as Rickettsia amblyommatis and Ehrlichia chaffeensis. Ongoing environmental changes have supported the expansion of A. americanum into new habitats, contributing to increased tick-borne diseases in endemic areas. However, a significant knowledge gap exists in understanding the underlying mechanisms involved in A. americanum interactions with tick-borne pathogens. Here, we performed a systematic analysis and developed an optimized AFS for nymphal lone star ticks. Our results demonstrate that Goldbeater's membranes, rabbit hair, hair extract, and adult lone star ticks significantly improved the attachment rate of nymphal ticks, whereas tick frass and frass extract did not. With the optimized conditions, we achieved an attachment rate of 46 ± 3% and a success rate of 100% (i.e., one or more attached ticks) in each feeding experiment for nymphal lone star ticks. When fed on sheep blood spiked with R. amblyommatis, both nymphal and adult lone star ticks acquired and maintained R. amblyommatis, demonstrating the feasibility of studying A. americanum-pathogen interactions using AFS. Our study can serve as a roadmap to optimize and improve AFS for other medically relevant tick species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilia Rochlin
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Dennis Chu
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Matthew Gmelin
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Justin Le
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Martha B Furie
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
- Department of Pathology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - David G Thanassi
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Hwan Keun Kim
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
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Hajdusek O, Kopacek P, Perner J. Experimental platforms for functional genomics in ticks. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2023; 59:101102. [PMID: 37586557 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2023.101102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Ticks are blood-feeding ectoparasites that devastate cattle farming and are an omnipresent nuisance to pets and humans, posing a threat of pathogen transmission. Laboratory experimental models can be instrumental in the search for molecular targets of novel acaricides or vaccines. Mainly, though, the experimental models represent invaluable tools for broadening our basic understanding of key processes of tick blood-feeding physiology and vector competence. In order to understand the function of a single component within the full complexity of a feeding tick, genetic or biochemical interventions are used for systemic phenotypisation. In this work, we summarise current experimental modalities that represent powerful approaches for determining biological functions of tick molecular components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ondrej Hajdusek
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Kopacek
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Perner
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.
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5
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Garcia Guizzo M, Meneses C, Amado Cecilio P, Hessab Alvarenga P, Sonenshine D, Ribeiro JM. Optimizing tick artificial membrane feeding for Ixodes scapularis. Sci Rep 2023; 13:16170. [PMID: 37758795 PMCID: PMC10533868 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-43200-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Artificial membrane feeding (AMF) is a powerful and versatile technique with a wide range of applications in the study of disease vectors species. Since its first description, AMF has been under constant optimization and standardization for different tick species and life stages. In the USA, Ixodes scapularis is the main vector of tick-borne zoonoses including the pathogens causing Lyme disease in humans and animals. Seeking to improve the overall fitness of I. scapularis adult females fed artificially, here, we have optimized the AMF technique, considerably enhancing attachment rate, engorgement success, egg laying, and egg hatching compared to those described in previous studies. Parameters such as the membrane thickness and the light/dark cycle to which the ticks were exposed were refined to more closely reflect the tick's natural behavior and life cycle. Additionally, ticks were fed on blood only, blood + ATP or blood + ATP + gentamicin. The artificial feeding of ticks on blood only was successful and generated a progeny capable of feeding naturally on a host, i.e., mice. Adding ATP as a feeding stimulant did not improve tick attachment or engorgement. Notably, the administration of gentamicin, an antibiotic commonly used in tick AMF to prevent microbial contamination, negatively impacted Rickettsia buchneri endosymbiont levels in the progeny of artificially fed ticks. In addition, gentamicin-fed ticks showed a reduction in oviposition success compared to ticks artificially fed on blood only, discouraging the use of antibiotics in AMF. Overall, our data suggest that the AMF of adult females on blood only, in association with the natural feeding of their progeny on mice, might be used as an integrated approach in tick rearing, eliminating the use of protected species under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). Of note, although optimized for I. scapularis adult ticks, I. scapularis nymphs, other tick species, and sand flies could also be fed using the membrane described in this study, indicating that it might be a suitable alternative for the artificial feeding of a variety of hematophagous species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melina Garcia Guizzo
- Vector Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA.
| | - Claudio Meneses
- Vector Molecular Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Pedro Amado Cecilio
- Vector Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Patricia Hessab Alvarenga
- Vector Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Daniel Sonenshine
- Vector Molecular Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Jose M Ribeiro
- Vector Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA.
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Bilgiç HB, Hacilarlioğlu S, Pekağirbaş M, Karagenç T, Eren H, Bakirci S. In vitro feeding of Hyalomma excavatum and Hyalomma marginatum tick species. Parasitol Res 2023:10.1007/s00436-023-07867-7. [PMID: 37178257 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-07867-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The rearing of ticks is an important technique for studies aiming to elucidate the course and pathogenesis of tick-borne diseases (TBDs). TBDs caused by protozoans (Theileria, Babesia) and bacteria (Anaplasma/Ehrlichia) impose a serious constraint upon livestock health and production in tropical and sub-tropical regions where the distributions of host, pathogen, and vector overlap. This study focuses on Hyalomma marginatum, one of the most important Hyalomma species in the Mediterranean region, being a vector of the virus that causes Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever in humans, together with H. excavatum, a vector of Theileria annulata, an important protozoan of cattle. The adaptation of ticks to feeding on artificial membranes allows the creation of model systems that can be put to use examining the underlying mechanisms of pathogen transmission by ticks. Silicone membranes, in particular, offer researchers the flexibility to adjust membrane thickness and content during artificial feeding. The aim of the present study was to develop an artificial feeding technique using silicone-based membranes for all developmental stages of H. excavatum and H. marginatum ticks. Attachment rates after feeding on silicone membranes for females H. marginatum and H. excavatum were 8.33% (8/96) and 7.95% (7/88), respectively. The use of cow hair as a stimulant increased the attachment rate of H. marginatum adults in comparison to other stimulants. The engorgement of H. marginatum and H. excavatum females took 20.5 and 23 days with average weights of 307.85 and 260.64 mg, respectively. Although both tick species could complete egg-laying, and this was followed by hatching of larvae; their larvae and nymphs could not be fed artificially. Taken together, the results of the present study clearly indicate that silicone membranes are suitable for feeding of H. excavatum and H. marginatum adult ticks, supporting engorgement, laying of eggs, and hatching of the larvae. They thus represent a versatile tool for studying transmission mechanisms of tick-borne pathogens. Further studies are warranted to examine attachment and feeding behaviours in order to increase the success of artificial feeding of larvae and nymphal stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hüseyin Bilgin Bilgiç
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Aydın Adnan Menderes University, Isıklı-Efeler, Aydın, Türkiye
| | - Selin Hacilarlioğlu
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Aydın Adnan Menderes University, Isıklı-Efeler, Aydın, Türkiye
| | - Metin Pekağirbaş
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Aydın Adnan Menderes University, Isıklı-Efeler, Aydın, Türkiye
| | - Tülin Karagenç
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Aydın Adnan Menderes University, Isıklı-Efeler, Aydın, Türkiye
| | - Hasan Eren
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Aydın Adnan Menderes University, Isıklı-Efeler, Aydın, Türkiye
| | - Serkan Bakirci
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Aydın Adnan Menderes University, Isıklı-Efeler, Aydın, Türkiye.
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Occi JL, Price DC, Hall M, Campbell V, Stronsick S, Sullivan CF, Pesapane R, Gonzalez J, Toledo A, Fonseca DM. Rickettsia and relapsing fever Borrelia in Alectorobius kelleyi (Ixodida: Argasidae) from peri domestic bats in the northeastern United States. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2023; 14:102157. [PMID: 36917863 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023]
Abstract
The soft ticks (Argasidae) are known vectors of human and animal pathogens around the globe and are relatively understudied. Our aim was to assess the presence of Rickettsia and Borrelia bacteria in Alectorobius kelleyi (Argasidae) parasitizing synanthropic bats in the highly urbanized northeastern United States. By collaborating with parasitologists, bat scientists and wildlife rehabilitators we were successful in obtaining A. kelleyi from five states. Since Argasid larvae will attach to their hosts for many days, most A. kelleyi examined (92%) were larvae collected from sick or injured big brown bats, Eptesicus fuscus, undergoing care at rehabilitation centers. In addition, we obtained adult A. kelleyi captured in residential living areas and trapped in attics. An in-depth analysis of a A. kelleyi found to be infected with a spotted fever group Rickettsia (SFGR) revealed a dual infection with a R. belli-like taxon (ancestral group) as well as an SFGR closely related to R. peacockii, likely the same previously found in A. kelleyi from Iowa and Kansas. We found that 36% of the A. kelleyi tested carried the SFGR. Furthermore, we detected a relapsing fever spirochete, likely Candidatus Borrelia johnsonii, in 25% of the A. kelleyi from Pennsylvania. While it is unclear if these bacteria constitute a health risk to either bats or humans, our study indicates that human exposure to ectoparasites infesting peridomestic wildlife should be considered in the epidemiology of tick-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- James L Occi
- Center for Vector Biology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.
| | - Dana C Price
- Center for Vector Biology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - MacKenzie Hall
- New Jersey Fish and Wildlife, Endangered and Nongame Species Program, Lebanon, NJ, USA.
| | | | | | - Cheryl F Sullivan
- University of Vermont, Entomology Research Laboratory, Burlington, VT, USA.
| | - Risa Pesapane
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; School of Environment and Natural Resources, College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
| | - Julia Gonzalez
- Center for Vector Biology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Alvaro Toledo
- Center for Vector Biology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Dina M Fonseca
- Center for Vector Biology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
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8
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Sebastian PS, Król N, Novoa MB, Nijhof AM, Pfeffer M, Nava S, Obiegala A. Preliminary Study on Artificial versus Animal-Based Feeding Systems for Amblyomma Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae). Microorganisms 2023; 11:1107. [PMID: 37317081 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11051107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Hard ticks pose a threat to animal and human health. Active life stages need to feed on a vertebrate host in order to complete their life cycle. To study processes such as tick-pathogen interactions or drug efficacy and pharmacokinetics, it is necessary to maintain tick colonies under defined laboratory conditions, typically using laboratory animals. The aim of this study was to test a membrane-based artificial feeding system (AFS) applicable for Amblyomma ticks using Amblyomma tonelliae as a biological model. Adult ticks from a laboratory colony were fed in a membrane-based AFS. For comparison, other A. tonelliae adults were fed on calf and rabbit. The proportions of attached (AFS: 76%; calf/rabbit: 100%) and engorged females (AFS: 47.4%; calf/rabbit: 100%) in the AFS were significantly lower compared to animal-based feeding (p = 0.0265). The engorgement weight of in vitro fed ticks (x¯ = 658 mg; SD ± 259.80) did not significantly differ from that of ticks fed on animals (p = 0.3272, respectively 0.0947). The proportion of females that oviposited was 100% for all three feeding methods. However, the incubation period of eggs (x¯ = 54 days; SD ± 7) was longer in the AFS compared to conventional animal-based feeding (p = 0.0014); x¯ = 45 days; SD ± 2 in the rabbit and (p = 0.0144). x¯ = 48 days; SD ± 2 in the calf). Egg cluster hatching (x¯ = 41%; SD ± 44.82) was lower in the AFS than in the other feeding methods (rabbit: x¯ = 74%; SD ± 20; p = 0.0529; calf: x¯ = 81%; SD ± 22; p = 0.0256). Although the attachment, development, and the hatching of AFS ticks were below those from animal-based feeding, the method may be useful in future experiments. Nevertheless, further experiments with a higher number of tick specimens (including immature life stages) and different attractant stimuli are required to confirm the preliminary results of this study and to evaluate the applicability of AFS for Amblyomma ticks as an alternative to animal-based feeding methods.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nina Król
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - María Belén Novoa
- Instituto de Investigación de la Cadena Láctea (IdICaL) CONICET-INTA, Rafaela 2300, Argentina
| | - Ard Menzo Nijhof
- Institute of Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Martin Pfeffer
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Santiago Nava
- Instituto de Investigación de la Cadena Láctea (IdICaL) CONICET-INTA, Rafaela 2300, Argentina
| | - Anna Obiegala
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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Guizzo MG, Hatalová T, Frantová H, Zurek L, Kopáček P, Perner J. Ixodes ricinus ticks have a functional association with Midichloria mitochondrii. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 12:1081666. [PMID: 36699720 PMCID: PMC9868949 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.1081666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
In addition to being vectors of pathogenic bacteria, ticks also harbor intracellular bacteria that associate with ticks over generations, aka symbionts. The biological significance of such bacterial symbiosis has been described in several tick species but its function in Ixodes ricinus is not understood. We have previously shown that I. ricinus ticks are primarily inhabited by a single species of symbiont, Midichloria mitochondrii, an intracellular bacterium that resides and reproduces mainly in the mitochondria of ovaries of fully engorged I. ricinus females. To study the functional integration of M. mitochondrii into the biology of I. ricinus, an M. mitochondrii-depleted model of I. ricinus ticks was sought. Various techniques have been described in the literature to achieve dysbiosed or apo-symbiotic ticks with various degrees of success. To address the lack of a standardized experimental procedure for the production of apo-symbiotic ticks, we present here an approach utilizing the ex vivo membrane blood feeding system. In order to deplete M. mitochondrii from ovaries, we supplemented dietary blood with tetracycline. We noted, however, that the use of tetracycline caused immediate toxicity in ticks, caused by impairment of mitochondrial proteosynthesis. To overcome the tetracycline-mediated off-target effect, we established a protocol that leads to the production of an apo-symbiotic strain of I. ricinus, which can be sustained in subsequent generations. In two generations following tetracycline administration and tetracycline-mediated symbiont reduction, M. mitochondrii was gradually eliminated from the lineage. Larvae hatched from eggs laid by such M. mitochondrii-free females repeatedly performed poorly during blood-feeding, while the nymphs and adults performed similarly to controls. These data indicate that M. mitochondrii represents an integral component of tick ovarian tissue, and when absent, results in the formation of substandard larvae with reduced capacity to blood-feed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melina Garcia Guizzo
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Tereza Hatalová
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia,Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
| | - Helena Frantová
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Ludek Zurek
- CEITEC, University of Veterinary Sciences, Brno, Czechia,Department of Microbiology, Nutrition and Dietetics/CINeZ, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czechia,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University, Brno, Czechia
| | - Petr Kopáček
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Jan Perner
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia,*Correspondence: Jan Perner,
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10
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González J, Lockhart A, Wu Q, Simon JE, Toledo A. Repellency of novel catnip (Nepeta cataria) cultivar extracts against Ixodes scapularis and Haemaphysalis longicornis (Acari: Ixodida: Ixodidae). Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2022; 13:102046. [PMID: 36130440 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.102046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Tick bites are a major public health concern due to the vector role that many tick species have in transmitting human pathogens. Synthetic repellents such as N‑diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET) remain the standard for repellency. Still, there is a need for natural commercial alternatives with similar or better properties than DEET. We evaluated the repellency of two extracts, CR3 and CR9, derived for newly developed catnip cultivars on two tick species, Ixodes scapularis and Haemaphysalis longicornis. Dose-response in vitro assays showed that CR3 and CR9 extracts have similar repellency properties to DEET. At a 20% concentration, both CR3 and CR9 extracts exhibited a repellency of 100%. Catnip extracts maintained their repellency properties for at least 8 h. In a two-choice assay, I. scapularis, but not H. longicornis, was more sensitive to CR3 than DEET. In addition, CR3 reduces the life span of I. scapularis, suggesting that it has an acaricidal effect on ticks. In summary, CR3 and CR9 catnip extracts are promising tick repellents that should be further developed, alone or in combination with other tick repellents, and tested for their use as tick repellents for humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia González
- Department of Entomology, Rutgers University, 96 Lipman Drive, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Anthony Lockhart
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Rutgers University, 160 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Qingli Wu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Rutgers University, 160 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; Center for Food Systems Sustainability, Institute of Food, Nutrition & Health, and the New Use Agriculture and Natural Plant Products Program, Rutgers University, 61 Dudley Rd., New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - James E Simon
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Rutgers University, 160 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; Center for Food Systems Sustainability, Institute of Food, Nutrition & Health, and the New Use Agriculture and Natural Plant Products Program, Rutgers University, 61 Dudley Rd., New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Alvaro Toledo
- Department of Entomology, Rutgers University, 96 Lipman Drive, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA.
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Stewart PE, Raffel SJ, Gherardini FC, Bloom ME. Kinetics of tick infection by the relapsing fever spirochete Borrelia hermsii acquired through artificial membrane feeding chambers. Sci Rep 2022; 12:13479. [PMID: 35931720 PMCID: PMC9356064 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-17500-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The relapsing fever agent Borrelia hermsii is transmitted by the tick Ornithodoros hermsi. To study the B. hermsii-tick interactions required for pathogen acquisition and transmission we developed an artificial membrane feeding system for O. hermsi nymphs and adults that results in a high percentage of engorgement. This system provides the nutritional requirements necessary for the tick to develop, mate, and produce viable eggs. By inoculating the blood with B. hermsii, we were able to obtain infected ticks for quantitative studies on pathogen acquisition and persistence. These ticks subsequently transmitted the spirochetes to mice, validating this system for both acquisition and transmission studies. Using this feeding method, a mutant of the antigenic variation locus of B. hermsii (Vmp-) that is incapable of persisting in mice was acquired by ticks at equivalent densities as the wild-type. Furthermore, Vmp is not required for persistence in the tick, as the mutant and wild-type strains are maintained at similar numbers after ecdysis and subsequent feeding. These results support the theory that Vmp is an adaptation for mammalian infection but unnecessary for survival within the tick. Interestingly, B. hermsii numbers severely declined after acquisition, though these ticks still transmitted the infection to mice. This procedure reduces animal use and provides a safe, highly controlled and well-contained alternative method for feeding and maintaining O. hermsi colonies. Importantly, this system permits quantitative studies with B. hermsii strains through ingestion during the blood meal, and thus more closely recapitulates pathogen acquisition in nature than other artificial systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip E Stewart
- Laboratory of Virology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA.
| | - Sandra J Raffel
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Frank C Gherardini
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Marshall E Bloom
- Laboratory of Virology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
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ten Bosch L, Habedank B, Candeo A, Bassi A, Valentini G, Gerhard C. Light sheet fluorescence microscopy for the investigation of blood-sucking arthropods dyed via artificial membrane feeding. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:52. [PMID: 35151358 PMCID: PMC8841056 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05157-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Physical methods to control pest arthropods are increasing in importance, but detailed knowledge of the effects of some of these methods on the target organisms is lacking. The aim of this study was to use light sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM) in anatomical studies of blood-sucking arthropods in vivo to assess the suitability of this method to investigate the morphological structures of arthropods and changes in these structures over time, using the human louse Pediculus humanus (Phthiraptera: Pediculidae) as sample organism. Plasma treatment was used as an example of a procedure employed to control arthropods. The lice were prepared using an artificial membrane feeding method involving the ingestion of human blood alone and human blood with an added fluorescent dye in vitro. It was shown that such staining leads to a notable enhancement of the imaging contrast with respect to unstained whole lice and internal organs that can normally not be viewed by transmission microscopy but which become visible by this approach. Some lice were subjected to plasma treatment to inflict damage to the organisms, which were then compared to untreated lice. Using LSFM, a change in morphology due to plasma treatment was observed. These results demonstrate that fluorescence staining coupled with LSFM represents a powerful and straightforward method enabling the investigation of the morphology—including anatomy—of blood-sucking lice and other arthropods.
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