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Ngetich C, Kamau L, Simbauni J, Mwendia C, Owido M, Kiio I, Matika O, Foster S, Birkett M, Djikeng A, Watson KA, Githaka N. The potential for use of haematological and anti-IgE humoral responses as phenotypic markers for tick resistance in cattle. CURRENT RESEARCH IN PARASITOLOGY & VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES 2023; 5:100159. [PMID: 38179546 PMCID: PMC10764256 DOI: 10.1016/j.crpvbd.2023.100159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Approximately 80% of the global cattle population is at risk of infestation and infection by ticks and tick-borne diseases (TTBDs). The economic losses from animal mortality, reduced production, vector control costs and animal treatment are very substantial, hence there is an urgent need to develop and deploy alternative vector control strategies. Breeding for host tick resistance has the potential for sustainable large-scale TTBD control especially in cattle. The gold standard method for phenotyping tick resistance in cattle is by counting ticks on the body but is very laborious and subjective. Better methods for phenotyping tick resistance more objectively, faster and at scale, are essential for selecting host genetic resistance to ticks. This study investigated the correlation between haematological cellular profiles and immunological responses (immunoglobulin E, IgE) and full body tick counts in herds of Bos indicus and Bos taurus following artificial tick challenge with Rhipicephalus decoloratus larvae. Fifty-four Friesian and Ayrshire (Bos taurus) and 52 East African Zebu (Bos indicus) calves were each infested with ∼2500 larvae. Near-replete adult female ticks (≥ 4.5 mm) were counted daily from Day 20-25. Blood and serum samples were obtained from each animal on Days 0 and 23 for cellular blood and IgE titre analysis, respectively. The indicine cattle were refractory to R. decoloratus infestation in comparison with the taurine breed (P < 0.0001). Repeated measurements of blood components pre-infestation revealed a significant (P < 0.05) association with tick count in IgE and red blood cells, haematocrit, and haemoglobin post-infestation. There was also a strong positive correlation between the tick counts and red blood cell numbers, haemoglobin, haematocrit, and IgE concentration (P < 0.0001) following tick challenge. The application of this approach to phenotype host resistance needs to be assessed using higher cattle numbers and with different tick species or genera.
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Affiliation(s)
- Collins Ngetich
- International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), PO Box 30709, Nairobi 00100, Kenya
- Zoological Sciences and Animal Sciences Department, Kenyatta University, P.O. Box 43844, Nairobi 00100, Kenya
| | - Lucy Kamau
- Zoological Sciences and Animal Sciences Department, Kenyatta University, P.O. Box 43844, Nairobi 00100, Kenya
| | - Jemimah Simbauni
- Zoological Sciences and Animal Sciences Department, Kenyatta University, P.O. Box 43844, Nairobi 00100, Kenya
| | - Charles Mwendia
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Egerton University, P.O. Box 536-20115, Egerton, Kenya
| | - Milton Owido
- International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), PO Box 30709, Nairobi 00100, Kenya
| | - Irene Kiio
- International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), PO Box 30709, Nairobi 00100, Kenya
| | - Oswald Matika
- The Roslin Institute and R(D)SVS, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, EH25 9RG, UK
- Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health (CTLGH), Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Sarah Foster
- Protecting Crops and the Environment, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Herts, AL5 2JQ, UK
| | - Michael Birkett
- Protecting Crops and the Environment, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Herts, AL5 2JQ, UK
| | - Appolinaire Djikeng
- International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), PO Box 30709, Nairobi 00100, Kenya
- Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health (CTLGH), Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Kellie Anne Watson
- The Roslin Institute and R(D)SVS, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, EH25 9RG, UK
- Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health (CTLGH), Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Naftaly Githaka
- International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), PO Box 30709, Nairobi 00100, Kenya
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Naseem MN, Raza A, Kamran M, Allavena R, Constantinoiu C, McGowan M, Turni C, Tabor AE, James P. The Development of Cutaneous Lesions in Tropically Adapted Beef Cattle Is Associated with Hypersensitive Immune Response to Buffalo Fly Antigens. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2011. [PMID: 37370520 DOI: 10.3390/ani13122011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
This study investigated the role of cattle immune responses in the pathogenesis of buffalo fly (Haematobia irritans exigua) (BF) lesions. Brangus steers phenotyped for lesion development were divided into three groups: high lesion susceptibility (HL), low lesion susceptibility (LL) and no lesions (NL), based on lesion severity scores. Each steer was injected intradermally with different concentrations of BF, Onchocerca gibsoni (Og), and Musca domestica (Md) antigens. At 1 h post-injection, wheal areas at BF injection sites were found to be significantly larger in HL than NL cattle, but there were no significant differences (p < 0.05) found between either the HL or NL cattle and LL cattle. At 24, 48, and 72 h post-injection, the skinfold thickness response to both BF and Md antigens was significantly greater in the HL group than the NL group. However, skin thickness was significantly greater for the BF antigens than the Md antigens (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences found between the LL and NL animals in response to the BF antigens at any time, and no significant differences were determined between any of the lesion groups in response to the Og antigens. Histological examination of skin sections taken from the BF antigen injection sites in HL cattle at 72 h post-injection revealed necrosis of the epidermis and superficial dermis, along with severe eosinophilic inflammation. This study suggests that differences in the hypersensitivity to BF antigens underlie differences amongst the cattle in their susceptibility to the development of BF lesions, and breeding for immune-related biomarkers may assist in selecting more BF lesion-resistant cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Noman Naseem
- The University of Queensland, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, Centre for Animal Science, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- The University of Queensland, School of Veterinary Science, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia
| | - Ali Raza
- The University of Queensland, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, Centre for Animal Science, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Muhammad Kamran
- The University of Queensland, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, Centre for Animal Science, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Rachel Allavena
- The University of Queensland, School of Veterinary Science, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia
| | - Constantin Constantinoiu
- James Cook University, College of Public Health, Medical & Veterinary Sciences, Townsville, QLD 4810, Australia
| | - Michael McGowan
- The University of Queensland, School of Veterinary Science, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia
| | - Conny Turni
- The University of Queensland, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, Centre for Animal Science, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Ala E Tabor
- The University of Queensland, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, Centre for Animal Science, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- The University of Queensland, School of Chemistry & Molecular Biosciences, St. Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Peter James
- The University of Queensland, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, Centre for Animal Science, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
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Raza A, Schulz BL, Nouwens A, Naseem MN, Kamran M, Mantilla Valdivieso EF, Kerr ED, Constantinoiu C, Jonsson NN, James P, Tabor AE. Application of quantitative proteomics to discover biomarkers for tick resistance in cattle. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1091066. [PMID: 36793724 PMCID: PMC9924087 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1091066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Breeding for tick resistance is a sustainable alternative to control cattle ticks due to widespread resistance to acaricidal drugs and the lack of a protective vaccine. The most accurate method used to characterise the phenotype for tick resistance in field studies is the standard tick count, but this is labour-intensive and can be hazardous to the operator. Efficient genetic selection requires reliable phenotyping or biomarker(s) for accurately identifying tick-resistant cattle. Although breed-specific genes associated with tick resistance have been identified, the mechanisms behind tick resistance have not yet been fully characterised. Methods This study applied quantitative proteomics to examine the differential abundance of serum and skin proteins using samples from naïve tick-resistant and -susceptible Brangus cattle at two-time points following tick exposure. The proteins were digested into peptides, followed by identification and quantification using sequential window acquisition of all theoretical fragment ion mass spectrometry. Results Resistant naïve cattle had a suite of proteins associated with immune response, blood coagulation and wound healing that were significantly (adjusted P < 10- 5) more abundant compared with susceptible naïve cattle. These proteins included complement factors (C3, C4, C4a), alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), beta-2-glycoprotein-1, keratins (KRT1 & KRT3) and fibrinogens (alpha & beta). The mass spectrometry findings were validated by identifying differences in the relative abundance of selected serum proteins with ELISA. The proteins showing a significantly different abundance in resistant cattle following early and prolonged tick exposures (compared to resistant naïve) were associated with immune response, blood coagulation, homeostasis, and wound healing. In contrast, susceptible cattle developed some of these responses only after prolonged tick exposure. Discussion Resistant cattle were able to transmigrate immune-response related proteins towards the tick bite sites, which may prevent tick feeding. Significantly differentially abundant proteins identified in this research in resistant naïve cattle may provide a rapid and efficient protective response to tick infestation. Physical barrier (skin integrity and wound healing) mechanisms and systemic immune responses were key contributors to resistance. Immune response-related proteins such as C4, C4a, AGP and CGN1 (naïve samples), CD14, GC and AGP (post-infestation) should be further investigated as potential biomarkers for tick resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Raza
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture & Food Innovation, Centre for Animal Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Benjamin L Schulz
- The University of Queensland, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Amanda Nouwens
- The University of Queensland, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Muhammad Noman Naseem
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture & Food Innovation, Centre for Animal Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Muhammad Kamran
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture & Food Innovation, Centre for Animal Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Emily F Mantilla Valdivieso
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture & Food Innovation, Centre for Animal Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Edward D Kerr
- The University of Queensland, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Constantin Constantinoiu
- College of Public Health, Medical & Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Nicholas N Jonsson
- Institute of Biodiversity Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Peter James
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture & Food Innovation, Centre for Animal Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Ala E Tabor
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture & Food Innovation, Centre for Animal Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia.,The University of Queensland, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
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Tick Infestation and Piroplasm Infection in Barbarine and Queue Fine de l'Ouest Autochthonous Sheep Breeds in Tunisia, North Africa. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11030839. [PMID: 33809606 PMCID: PMC8001609 DOI: 10.3390/ani11030839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 12/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
As ticks and tick-borne pathogens affect the productivity of livestock, searching for genetically resistant breeds to infestation by ticks may represent an alternative to the overuse of chemical drugs. The aim of this study was to assess if there is a difference in tick infestation among the main sheep breeds in Tunisia. The study was carried out between April 2018 and January 2020 in 17 small to middle-sized sheep flocks from 3 regions across Tunisia. Four hundred and thirty-nine ear-tagged ewes from Barbarine (n = 288, 65.6%) and Queue Fine de l'Ouest (QFO) (n = 151, 34.4%) breeds were examined and sampled each trimester. Ticks were identified to the species level, and piroplasms were detected using PCR that targets a common sequence ARNr18S to both Babesia and Theileria genera using catch-all primers. Totally, 707 adult ticks were collected from animals; 91.4% (646/707) of them were Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. Queue Fine de l'Ouest animals were markedly less infested by ticks, and no one of them was infected by piroplasms compared to the Barbarine breed. Indeed, during the first four seasons, 21 animals, all from the Barbarine breed, were detected positive for piroplasms. This is the first study in Tunisia about the low susceptibility of QFO ewes to infestation by ticks and to infection by piroplasms. The QFO sheep breed could be raised preferably at high-risk areas of tick occurrence and could be considered in concrete control strategies, including a breeding program.
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Geographic distribution of boophilid ticks in communal grazing cattle in the north-eastern region of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY- REGIONAL STUDIES AND REPORTS 2021; 23:100538. [PMID: 33678391 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2021.100538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 01/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The boophilid ticks are regarded as highly adaptive tick species in tropical and subtropical regions and considered to be the most economically important ectoparasites to cattle worldwide. To that, a geographical survey to investigate the distribution of boophilid ticks on grazing cattle was conducted seasonally between October 2018 and September 2019 at Elundini, Senqu and Walter Sisulu Local Municipalities in the north-eastern region of the Eastern Cape Province (ECP). Ten cattle were selected randomly during the tick sampling at each locality. Ticks were carefully removed from cattle and placed into sampling tubes containing 70% ethanol. During tick sampling, special attention was paid to the tick predilection sites such as lower perineum, neck, dewlap and ventral body parts which are the preferred sites for blue ticks. Based on the morphological traits, a total of 6176 ticks belonging to two boophilid tick species of Rhipicephalus were identified: Rhipicephalus decoloratus (98.30%) and Rhipicephalus microplus (1.70%). Locality and season significantly influenced boophilid tick distribution (P < 0.05). Rhipicephalus decoloratus had a significantly higher prevalence (P < 0.05) in Elundini during the hot-dry (3.37 ± 0.121) and hot-wet (3.35 ± 0.121) seasons compared to other localities. In Senqu, R. microplus had high counts (P < 0.05) during the post-rainy season (1.06 ± 0027) compared to other localities. Interestingly, the current study recorded Asiatic invasive pantropical blue tick (R. microplus) for the first time in the north-eastern region of the ECP. This tick is of great veterinary economic importance locally and globally, and thus necessitates continuous monitoring and control.
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In search of the Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus in the western-central regions of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2019; 10:564-567. [PMID: 30712995 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2018] [Revised: 09/02/2018] [Accepted: 01/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The southern cattle tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, is an economically important tick that parasitises cattle and is found on other host species if they graze with cattle. The R. (B.) microplus is a highly adapted tick species prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. In Africa, it has expanded its range and was reported to supersede the native tick, R. (B.) decoloratus. The objective of the study was to determine the distribution of R. (B.) microplus under different ecological zones in the western-central regions of Eastern Cape Province. Engorged adult blue ticks were collected monthly from 360 randomly selected cattle and free living ticks from six replicate drags of the vegetation over a period of 1 year at Bedford Dry Grassland (BDG), Kowie Thicket (KT) and Bhisho Thornveld (BT). A special attention was paid to the lower perineum, neck, dewlap and ventral body parts which are the preferred sites for blue ticks during sampling. In this study, 9 species of ticks which grouped under 5 genera were identified. The identified species of ticks were Amblyomma hebraeum, Haemaphysalis elliptica, Hyalomma rufipes, Ixodes pilosus, R. (B.) decoloratus, R. appendiculatus, R. evertsi evertsi, R. follis and R. simus. Only adult R. (B.) decoloratus (n = 8090) ticks were collected from cattle between April 2016 and March 2017. A total of 4382 females and 3708 males of R. (B.) decoloratus were recovered during the survey. Of the ticks (n = 2885) collected from the vegetation, R. (B.) decoloratus was the most abundant species with a relative prevalence of 58.16%, followed by R. appendiculatus (18.37%) and R. evertsi evertsi (16.90%). Least abundant ticks were H. rufipes (2.98%), A. hebraeum (2.46%), H. elliptica (0.38%), R. follis (0.34%), I. pilosus (0.24%) and R. simus (0.17%). The distribution of R. (B.) decoloratus ticks differ significantly (P < 0.05) among the vegetation types. Significantly more (P < 0.05) engorged R. (B.) decoloratus were collected in KT during summer season (1.39 ± 0.063 females and 1.30 ± 0.063 males) compared to other vegetation types. The R. (B.) decoloratus larvae were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in BT (20.56±1.154) and KT (18.50±1.154) vegetation types during the spring season. R. (B.) microplus was not found in the present study, signifying that it is not yet established in western-central regions of the Eastern Cape Province and as such, continuous monitoring would be advisable.
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Cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions against unfed tick larval extract of Rhipicephalus evertsi in South African Mutton Merino, Namaqua Afrikaner and Dorper sheep. Small Rumin Res 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2018.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Robbertse L, Richards SA, Clift SJ, Barnard AC, Leisewitz A, Crafford JE, Maritz-Olivier C. Comparison of the differential regulation of T and B-lymphocyte subsets in the skin and lymph nodes amongst three cattle breeds as potential mediators of immune-resistance to Rhipicephalus microplus. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2018; 9:976-987. [PMID: 29622516 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2018.03.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2018] [Revised: 03/02/2018] [Accepted: 03/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Although varying natural resistance to ticks between highly resistant Brahman (Bos taurus indicus), resistant Bonsmara (5/8 B. t. indicus x 3/8 B. t. taurus) and susceptible Holstein-Friesian (B. t. taurus) breeds is documented in skin and blood, little information is available describing draining lymph nodes. To elucidate the cellular dynamics during Rhipicephalus microplus induced immune responses, this study analysed immune factors from these cattle breeds using histology, immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. Following the collection of skin and lymph node samples before artificial tick infestation, cattle were infested with R. microplus larvae. Subsequent sampling coincided with the tick larvae and adult developmental stages. A significant influx of CD20+ B-lymphocytes in the dermis all cattle breeds was observed while CD3+ T-lymphocytes were significantly increased for more tick resistant breeds. Eosinophil infiltration in germinal centres of lymph nodes was significant for all cattle breeds while tingible body macrophages were significantly increased for adult infested Brahman animals. A negligible fluctuation in CD20+ and CD79α+ B-lymphocyte numbers was present in the lymph node of more resistant cattle breeds, while susceptible animals showed a decrease in B-lymphocytes after infestation, followed by an increase between larvae to adult infested time points. Increased variability of γd T-lymphocyte populations in lymph nodes was correlated with tick susceptibility. In addition, a more stable T helper lymphocyte population was identified in the lymph nodes for the Brahman cattle breed. Results suggest the association of tick susceptibility with differential B-lymphocyte regulation in lymph node tissues, increased variability of WC1+ γδ T-lymphocyte populations in the lymph node as well as a decrease in T helper lymphocytes in the lymph node.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luïse Robbertse
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Sabine Annette Richards
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Sarah Jane Clift
- Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Annette-Christi Barnard
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Andrew Leisewitz
- Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Jan Ernst Crafford
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Christine Maritz-Olivier
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, South Africa.
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Robbertse L, Richards SA, Maritz-Olivier C. Bovine Immune Factors Underlying Tick Resistance: Integration and Future Directions. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2017; 7:522. [PMID: 29312898 PMCID: PMC5742187 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2017.00522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2017] [Accepted: 12/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms underlying tick resistance within and between cattle breeds have been studied for decades. Several previous papers on bovine immune parameters contributing to tick resistance discussed findings across DNA, RNA, protein, cellular, and tissue levels. However, the differences between bovine host species, tick species and the experimental layouts were not always taken into account. This review aims to (a) give a comprehensive summary of studies investigating immune marker differences between cattle breeds with varying degrees of tick resistance, and (b) to integrate key findings and suggest hypotheses on likely immune-regulated pathways driving resistance. Experimental issues, which may have skewed conclusions, are highlighted. In future, improved experimental strategies will enable more focused studies to identify and integrate immune markers and/or pathways. Most conclusive thus far is the involvement of histamine, granulocytes and their associated pathways in the tick-resistance mechanism. Interestingly, different immune markers might be involved in the mechanisms within a single host breed in contrast to between breeds. Also, differences are evident at each tick life stage, limiting the level to which datasets can be compared. Future studies to further elucidate immune molecule dynamics across the entire tick life cycle and in-depth investigation of promising markers and pathways on both molecular and cellular level are in dire need to obtain a scientifically sound hypothesis on the drivers of tick resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Christine Maritz-Olivier
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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Tabor AE, Ali A, Rehman G, Rocha Garcia G, Zangirolamo AF, Malardo T, Jonsson NN. Cattle Tick Rhipicephalus microplus-Host Interface: A Review of Resistant and Susceptible Host Responses. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2017; 7:506. [PMID: 29322033 PMCID: PMC5732177 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2017.00506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2017] [Accepted: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Ticks are able to transmit tick-borne infectious agents to vertebrate hosts which cause major constraints to public and livestock health. The costs associated with mortality, relapse, treatments, and decreased production yields are economically significant. Ticks adapted to a hematophagous existence after the vertebrate hemostatic system evolved into a multi-layered defense system against foreign invasion (pathogens and ectoparasites), blood loss, and immune responses. Subsequently, ticks evolved by developing an ability to suppress the vertebrate host immune system with a devastating impact particularly for exotic and crossbred cattle. Host genetics defines the immune responsiveness against ticks and tick-borne pathogens. To gain an insight into the naturally acquired resistant and susceptible cattle breed against ticks, studies have been conducted comparing the incidence of tick infestation on bovine hosts from divergent genetic backgrounds. It is well-documented that purebred and crossbred Bos taurus indicus cattle are more resistant to ticks and tick-borne pathogens compared to purebred European Bos taurus taurus cattle. Genetic studies identifying Quantitative Trait Loci markers using microsatellites and SNPs have been inconsistent with very low percentages relating phenotypic variation with tick infestation. Several skin gene expression and immunological studies have been undertaken using different breeds, different samples (peripheral blood, skin with tick feeding), infestation protocols and geographic environments. Susceptible breeds were commonly found to be associated with the increased expression of toll like receptors, MHC Class II, calcium binding proteins, and complement factors with an increased presence of neutrophils in the skin following tick feeding. Resistant breeds had higher levels of T cells present in the skin prior to tick infestation and thus seem to respond to ticks more efficiently. The skin of resistant breeds also contained higher numbers of eosinophils, mast cells and basophils with up-regulated proteases, cathepsins, keratins, collagens and extracellular matrix proteins in response to feeding ticks. Here we review immunological and molecular determinants that explore the cattle tick Rhipicephalus microplus-host resistance phenomenon as well as contemplating new insights and future directions to study tick resistance and susceptibility, in order to facilitate interventions for tick control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ala E Tabor
- Centre for Animal Science, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia.,Centre for Comparative Genomics, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Abid Ali
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Pakistan.,Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Gauhar Rehman
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Pakistan
| | - Gustavo Rocha Garcia
- Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | | | - Thiago Malardo
- Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Nicholas N Jonsson
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, The University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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Nyamushamba GB, Mapiye C, Tada O, Halimani TE, Muchenje V. Conservation of indigenous cattle genetic resources in Southern Africa's smallholder areas: turning threats into opportunities - A review. ASIAN-AUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCES 2016; 30:603-621. [PMID: 27004814 PMCID: PMC5411820 DOI: 10.5713/ajas.16.0024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2016] [Revised: 02/15/2016] [Accepted: 03/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The current review focuses on characterization and conservation efforts vital for the development of breeding programmes for indigenous beef cattle genetic resources in Southern Africa. Indigenous African cattle breeds were identified and characterized using information from refereed journals, conference papers and research reports. Results of this current review reviewed that smallholder beef cattle production in Southern Africa is extensive and dominated by indigenous beef cattle strains adaptable to the local environment. The breeds include Nguni, Mashona, Tuli, Malawi Zebu, Bovino de Tete, Angoni, Landim, Barotse, Twsana and Ankole. These breeds have important functions ranging from provision of food and income to socio-economic, cultural and ecological roles. They also have adaptive traits ranging from drought tolerant, resistance to ticks and tick borne diseases, heat tolerance and resistance to trypanosomosis. Stakeholders in the conservation of beef cattle were also identified and they included farmers, national government, research institutes and universities as well as breeding companies and societies in Southern Africa. Research efforts made to evaluate threats and opportunities of indigenous beef cattle production systems, assess the contribution of indigenous cattle to household food security and income, genetically and phenotypically characterize and conserve indigenous breeds, and develop breeding programs for smallholder beef production are highlighted. Although smallholder beef cattle production in the smallholder farming systems contributes substantially to household food security and income, their productivity is hindered by several constraints that include high prevalence of diseases and parasites, limited feed availability and poor marketing. The majority of the African cattle populations remain largely uncharacterized although most of the indigenous cattle breeds have been identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- G B Nyamushamba
- Department of Livestock and Pasture Science, University of Fort Hare, Alice 5700, South Africa
| | - C Mapiye
- Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of AgriSciences, Stellenbosch University, Matieland 7602, South Africa
| | - O Tada
- Department of Animal Production and Technology, Chinhoyi University of Technology, Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe
| | - T E Halimani
- Department of Animal Science, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - V Muchenje
- Department of Livestock and Pasture Science, University of Fort Hare, Alice 5700, South Africa
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Mapholi NO, Marufu MC, Maiwashe A, Banga CB, Muchenje V, MacNeil MD, Chimonyo M, Dzama K. Towards a genomics approach to tick (Acari: Ixodidae) control in cattle: A review. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2014; 5:475-83. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2014.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2014] [Revised: 04/07/2014] [Accepted: 04/08/2014] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION 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 can induce paralysis and other types of toxicoses. Tick saliva was previously proposed as a special kind of venom since tick venom is used for blood feeding that counteracts host defense mechanisms. As a result, the present study provides evidence to reconsider the venomous properties of tick saliva. RESULTS Based on our extensive literature mining and in silico research, we demonstrate that ticks share several similarities with other venomous taxa. Many tick salivary protein families and their previously described functions are homologous to proteins found in scorpion, spider, snake, platypus and bee venoms. This infers that there is a structural and functional convergence between several molecular components in tick saliva and the venoms from other recognized venomous taxa. We also highlight the fact that the immune response against tick saliva and venoms (from recognized venomous taxa) are both dominated by an allergic immunity background. Furthermore, by comparing the major molecular components of human saliva, as an example of a non-venomous animal, with that of ticks we find evidence that ticks resemble more venomous than non-venomous animals. Finally, we introduce our considerations regarding the evolution of venoms in Arachnida. CONCLUSIONS Taking into account the composition of tick saliva, the venomous functions that ticks have while interacting with their hosts, and the distinguishable differences between human (non-venomous) and tick salivary proteins, we consider that ticks should be referred to as venomous ectoparasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
- Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille (CIIL), INSERM U1019 – CNRS UMR 8204, Université Lille Nord de France, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille, France
- SaBio. Instituto de Investigación de Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ciudad Real 13005, Spain
| | - James J Valdés
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, České Budějovice, 37005, Czech Republic
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Marufu MC, Dzama K, Chimonyo M. Cellular responses to Rhipicephalus microplus infestations in pre-sensitised cattle with differing phenotypes of infestation. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2014; 62:241-252. [PMID: 24057115 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-013-9723-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2013] [Accepted: 08/10/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The blue tick, Rhipicephalus microplus, threatens cattle production in most tropical and subtropical areas of the world. Delayed skin hypersensitivity reactions are thought to cause Nguni cattle to be more resistant to R. microplus than Bonsmara cattle yet the cellular mechanisms responsible for these differences have not been classified. Tick counts and inflammatory cell infiltrates in skin biopsies from feeding sites of adult R. microplus ticks were determined in 9-month-old Nguni and Bonsmara heifers to determine the cellular mechanisms responsible for tick immunity. Nguni heifers (1.7 ± 0.03) had lower (P < 0.05) tick counts than the Bonsmaras (2.0 ± 0.03). Parasitized sites in Nguni heifers had higher counts of basophils, mast and mononuclear cells than those in the Bonsmara heifers. Conversely, parasitized sites in Nguni heifers had lower neutrophil and eosinophil counts than those in the Bonsmara heifers. Tick count was negatively correlated with basophil and mast cell counts and positively correlated with eosinophil counts in both breeds. In the Bonsmara breed, tick count was positively correlated with mononuclear cell counts. Cellular responses to adult R. microplus infestations were different and correlated with differences in tick resistance in Nguni and Bonsmara cattle breeds. It is essential to further characterise the molecular composition of the inflammatory infiltrate elicited by adult R. microplus infestation to fully comprehend immunity to ticks in cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Munyaradzi C Marufu
- Discipline of Animal and Poultry Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, P. Bag X01, Scottsville, 3201, South Africa
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