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Abduch NG, Reolon HG, Ligori VA, Silva RMDO, Veríssimo CJ, Paz CCP, Stafuzza NB. Resistance to natural tick infestation varies with age and coat and hair traits in a tropically adapted beef cattle breed. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2024; 50:101017. [PMID: 38644040 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2024.101017] [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: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus causes considerable livestock production losses. Knowledge of the traits that influence tick resistance contributes to the development of breeding strategies designed to improve herd productivity. Within this context, this study evaluated the resistance of Caracu, a tropically adapted cattle breed, to R. microplus. Tick count, hair length, coat thickness, and coat color were evaluated in 202 naturally tick-infested females (cows and heifers) over a period of 18 months. Blood samples were collected from all animals during the winter season for hematological analysis. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlations, generalized linear models, and principal component analysis. Correlation coefficients of tick count with coat color, coat thickness, and hair length were estimated within each season. Hematological parameters were only included in the winter season analysis and were analyzed by the restricted maximum likelihood method using log-transformed data. No differences in blood parameters were observed between animals with and without ticks. However, tick count was negatively correlated with erythrocytes (-0.29) and hematocrit (-0.24) and positively correlated with mean corpuscular hemoglobin (0.21) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (0.25). These findings suggest that higher tick counts lead to a decrease in erythrocytes but also to an increase in the amount of hemoglobin per erythrocyte, which could reduce the damage caused by low erythrocyte levels due to tick hematophagy, delaying or preventing anemia. Although tick infestation on pasture was demonstrated by the infestation of all staff members during herd management, none of the animals exhibited high tick counts, providing evidence of resistance of Caracu animals to R. microplus. Tick infestation was influenced by age class (cows > heifers), season (spring and summer > fall and winter), coat thickness (>1.5 mm > <1.5 mm), and hair length (>6 mm > <6 mm). Three components were extracted by principal component analysis, which accounted for 69.46% of data variance. The findings of this study will contribute to the development of efficient strategies aimed at reducing economic losses due to tick infestation and could be applied in animal breeding to select for tick resistance traits, reducing chemical control strategies and consequently improving sustainable livestock production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalya Gardezani Abduch
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirao Preto Medical School (FMRP), University of Sao Paulo (USP), Ribeirao Preto, SP 140349-900, Brazil.
| | | | - Viviane Andrade Ligori
- Beef Cattle Research Center, Animal Science Institute (IZ), Sertaozinho, SP 14160-900, Brazil.
| | | | - Cecília José Veríssimo
- Sao Paulo Agency of Agribusiness and Technology, Animal Science Institute (IZ), Nova Odessa, SP 13380-011, Brazil.
| | - Claudia Cristina Paro Paz
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirao Preto Medical School (FMRP), University of Sao Paulo (USP), Ribeirao Preto, SP 140349-900, Brazil; Sustainable Livestock Research Center, Animal Science Institute, Sao Jose do Rio Preto, SP 15130-000, Brazil
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Visser C, Snyman MA. Incorporating new technologies in breeding plans for South African goats in harsh environments. Anim Front 2023; 13:53-59. [PMID: 37841757 PMCID: PMC10575310 DOI: 10.1093/af/vfad040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Carina Visser
- Department of Animal Science, University of Pretoria, P/Bag X28, Pretoria, 0028, South Africa
| | - Margaretha A Snyman
- Grootfontein Agricultural Development Institute, P/Bag X529, Middelburg, EC, 5900, South Africa
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David G, da Silva Arce CD, de Araujo Neto FR, de Albuquerque LG, Giglioti R, Okino CH, de Almeida Regitano LC, de Sena Oliveira MC, de Oliveira HN. Estimation of genetic parameters for the tick and hemoparasite burden in Angus cattle. Trop Anim Health Prod 2023; 55:302. [PMID: 37726409 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-023-03714-0] [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: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
The study was conducted with the objective of estimating genetic and phenotypic parameters for tick (CRM) and Babesia bigemina (IBBi), Babesia bovis (IBBo), and Anaplasma marginale (IAM) burden in Angus female breed in Brazil. The sample group was composed of Angus females raised in herds located in a region of endemic instability for cattle tick fever in the state of Rio Grande Sul (RS), Brazil. The variance components were estimated using Bayesian inference and Gibbs sampling algorithm, considering a multi-trait animal model. Heritability estimates showed values of low magnitude, ranging from 0.03 (IBBo) to 0.16 (CRM), while repeatability estimates ranged between 0.07 (IBBo) and 0.21 (CRM). Regarding the genetic correlation estimates, the values showed low (-0.01 for IBBo × IAM) to moderate (0.55 between IBBi × IAM) magnitudes. The results indicate that it is possible to use tick count and hemoparasite infection levels as selection criteria, with small genetic gains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela David
- Departamento de Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual Paulista-UNESP, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Rodrigo Giglioti
- Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios (APTA), Nova Odessa, São Paulo, Brazil
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Nicaretta JE, de Melo Junior RD, Naves RB, de Morais IML, Salvador VF, Leal LLLL, Teixeira ALC, Ferreira LL, Klafke GM, Monteiro CMDO, Borges FDA, Costa Junior LM, Rodrigues DS, Lopes WDZ. Selective versus strategic control against Rhipicephalus microplus in cattle: A comparative analysis of efficacy, animal health, productivity, cost, and resistance management. Vet Parasitol 2023; 321:109999. [PMID: 37556962 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2023.109999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
This study compared selective control versus strategic control against Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, under conditions of a real dairy farm. Strategic control requires that all animals be treated with acaricide at regular pre-determined intervals. Selective control only requires treatment of infested animals and only when they are at or above a pre-determined threshold. Tick counts on animals and in pasture were performed and the susceptibility of tick populations to the different treatment methods was evaluated at the beginning and end of the study using the Larval Packet Test, Larval Immersion Test, and Adult Immersion Test. Over the four years of the study strategic control was more advantageous than the selective control as the group experienced lower tick burden on animals and in pasture, absence of skin lesions and myiases, lower operating costs, treatments concentrated in fewer months of the year and lower resistance pressure.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Eduardo Nicaretta
- Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | | | - Raphaela Barbosa Naves
- Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Lorena Lopes Ferreira
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Marcondes Klafke
- Instituto de Pesquisas Veterinárias Desidério Finamor - Centro de Pesquisa em Saúde Animal, Secretaria da Agricultura, Pecuária e Desenvolvimento Rural, Eldorado do Sul, RS, Brazil
| | - Caio Marcio de Oliveira Monteiro
- Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil; Departamento de Biociências e Tecnologia, Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Fernando de Almeida Borges
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | | | - Daniel Sobreira Rodrigues
- Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuária de Minas Gerais, Campo Experimental Santa Rita, Prudente de Morais, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Welber Daniel Zanetti Lopes
- Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil; Departamento de Biociências e Tecnologia, Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil.
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Bishop LJ, Stutzer C, Maritz-Olivier C. More than Three Decades of Bm86: What We Know and Where to Go. Pathogens 2023; 12:1071. [PMID: 37764879 PMCID: PMC10537462 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12091071] [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: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Tick and tick-borne disease control have been a serious research focus for many decades. In a global climate of increasing acaricide resistance, host immunity against tick infestation has become a much-needed complementary strategy to common chemical control. From the earliest acquired resistance studies in small animal models to proof of concept in large production animals, it was the isolation, characterization, and final recombinant protein production of the midgut antigen Bm86 from the Australian cattle tick strain of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (later reinstated as R. (B.) australis) that established tick subunit vaccines as a viable alternative in tick and tick-borne disease control. In the past 37 years, this antigen has spawned numerous tick subunit vaccines (either Bm86-based or novel), and though we are still describing its molecular structure and function, this antigen remains the gold standard for all tick vaccines. In this paper, advances in tick vaccine development over the past three decades are discussed alongside the development of biotechnology, where existing gaps and future directives in the field are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Christine Maritz-Olivier
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0083, South Africa; (L.J.B.); (C.S.)
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Magesa WS, Haji I, Kinimi E, Nzalawahe JS, Kazwala R. Distribution and molecular identification of ixodid ticks infesting cattle in Kilombero and Iringa Districts, Tanzania. BMC Vet Res 2023; 19:121. [PMID: 37573333 PMCID: PMC10422822 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-023-03652-x] [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: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hard ticks infesting cattle are vectors of Tick-borne diseases that causes major public health problems and considerable socioeconomic losses to the livestock industry in tropical and subtropical countries. A repeated cross-sectional study was carried out by collecting ticks on cattle during the wet and dry seasons from January to August 2021 in order to determine hard tick prevalence, distribution, and abundance on cattle in Kilombero and Iringa Districts of Tanzania. The collected ticks were identified morphologically using published morphological keys under a stereomicroscope and confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing. RESULTS Out of 740 examined cattle, 304, (41.08%) were infested with ticks. In total, 1,780 ticks were counted on one side of the animal's body and doubled, whereby resulting in a total of 3,560 ticks were recorded. Individual tick burden ranged from n = 2 to 82 ticks per animal, with a mean tick burden of n = 11.7 ± 0.68 per animal. A total of 1,889 ticks were collected from infected cattle including 109 additional ticks observed while collecting ticks based on the animal's posture when restrained to the ground. Out of 1,889 ticks, nine species from three genera were identified morphologically: 1,377 fit in the genus Rhipicephalus, 459 to the genus of Amblyomma, and 53 to the genus Hyalomma. Rhipicephalus microplus was the most prevalent (n = 909, 48.1%), followed by Rhipicephalus evertsi (n = 310, 16.4%), Amblyomma lepidum (n = 310, 16.4%), Rhipicephalus appendiculatus (n = 140, 7.4%), Amblyomma gemma (n = 120, 6.4%), Hyalomma rufipes (n = 50, 2.6%), Amblyomma variegatum (n = 29, 1.5%), Rhipicephalus decoloratus (n = 18, 1.0%), while the least common was Hyalomma albiparmatum (n = 3, 0.2%). Tick diversity was higher in Iringa compared to Kilombero District. Tick prevalence was higher in wet season (n = 148, 41.11%). Ticks were widely distributed in different parts of the host body, with the highest distribution on zone 4 (n = 1,060, 56.11%), which includes groin, flank, abdomen, and around inner thigh of the hind legs and the lowest distribution on zone 2 (n = 14, 0.74%), which includes the back surface of the body. Both Amblyomma lepidum and Rhipicephalus microplus species were found in all the five body zones, and with the highest proportions recorded on zone 4: A. lepidum (n = 209, 67.42%) and R. microplus (n = 714, 78.55%). The nine tick species identified morphologically were also confirmed using molecular methods. However, during sequencing, two species (Rhipicephalus appendiculatus and R. decoloratus) had poor quality sequences and were excluded from the sequence analysis. Sequencing results indicated high nucleotide identity (96-100%) with sequences available in GenBank and Barcode of Life Database (BOLD). The phylogenetic analysis of partial mitochondrial COI and 16S rRNA gene sequences of ticks were used to confirm the morphological identification. CONCLUSION The results showed a high burden of tick infestation on cattle, which could reduce animal production and potentially increase the risk of tick-borne diseases. Therefore, it is necessary to explore the epidemiological and molecular aspects of various tick species in other regions of Tanzania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter S Magesa
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Parasitology and Biotechnology, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3019, Morogoro, Tanzania.
| | - Isihaka Haji
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Parasitology and Biotechnology, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3019, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Edson Kinimi
- Department of Veterinary Physiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3017, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Jahashi S Nzalawahe
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Parasitology and Biotechnology, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3019, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Rudovick Kazwala
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3021, Morogoro, Tanzania
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Riggio V, Madder M, Labuschagne M, Callaby R, Zhao R, Djikeng A, Fourie J, Prendergast JGD, Morrison LJ. Meta-analysis of heritability estimates and genome-wide association for tick-borne haemoparasites in African cattle. Front Genet 2023; 14:1197160. [PMID: 37576560 PMCID: PMC10417722 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1197160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The control of tick-borne haemoparasites in cattle largely relies on the use of acaricide drugs against the tick vectors, with some vaccination also being used against selected pathogens. These interventions can be difficult in Africa, where accessibility and cost of vaccines can be issues, and the increasing resistance of tick vectors to the widely used acaricides is a complication to disease control. A potential complementary control strategy could be the exploitation of any natural host genetic resistance to the pathogens. However, there are currently very few estimates of the extent of host resistance to tick-borne haemoparasites, and a significant contributing factor to this knowledge gap is likely to be the difficulty of collecting appropriate samples and data in the smallholder systems that predominate livestock production in low- and middle-income countries, particularly at scale. In this study, we have estimated the heritability for the presence/absence of several important haemoparasite species (including Anaplasma marginale, Babesia bigemina, Babesia bovis, and Ehrlichia ruminantium), as well as for relevant traits such as body weight and body condition score (BCS), in 1,694 cattle from four African countries (Burkina Faso, Ghana, Nigeria, and Tanzania). Heritability estimates within countries were mostly not significant, ranging from 0.05 to 0.84 across traits and countries, with standard errors between 0.07 and 0.91. However, the weighted mean of heritability estimates was moderate and significant for body weight and BCS (0.40 and 0.49, respectively), with significant heritabilities also observed for the presence of A. marginale (0.16) and E. ruminantium (0.19). In a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for these traits, two peaks were identified as reaching the suggestive significance threshold (p < 1.91 × 10-7 and p < 1.89 × 10-7, respectively): one on chromosome 24 for BCS and one on chromosome 8 for the E. ruminantium infection status. These findings indicate that there is likely to be a genetic basis that contributes to pathogen presence/absence for tick-borne haemoparasite species, which could potentially be exploited to improve cattle resistance in Africa to the economically important diseases caused by these pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Riggio
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Rebecca Callaby
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health (CTLGH), Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Rongrong Zhao
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Appolinaire Djikeng
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health (CTLGH), Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | | | - James G. D. Prendergast
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health (CTLGH), Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Liam J. Morrison
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health (CTLGH), Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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Kaur R, Ahlawat S, Choudhary V, Kumari A, Kumar A, Kaur M, Arora R, Sharma R, Vijh RK. Validation of stable reference genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells for expression studies involving vector-borne haemoparasitic diseases in bovines. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2023; 14:102168. [PMID: 36940645 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
Normalization of gene expression data using appropriate reference genes is critical to diminish any technical bias in an experiment involving quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report offering a systematic assessment of 14 potential reference genes (RPLP0, ACTB, RPS28, YWHAZ, SDHA, PPIA, RPS9, RPS15, UXT, GAPDH, B2M, BACH1, HMBS, and PPIB) for the identification of the most stable normalizers for qPCR of target genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of bovines for vector-borne haemoparasitic diseases such as anaplasmosis, babesiosis, theileriosis, and trypanosomiasis. A total of 38 blood samples were collected from healthy as well as diseased cattle and buffaloes representing different haemoparasitic diseases. RNA isolated from the PBMCs was subjected to qPCR for the 14 prospective internal control genes. The comprehensive ranking of the genes was accomplished by the RefFinder tool that integrates the results of three algorithms (geNorm, NormFinder, and BestKeeper) and the comparative CT method. RPS15, B2M, and GAPDH were ranked to be the most stable genes, whereas, PPIA and HMBS emerged to be the least suitable genes. Validation of the selected reference genes by the qPCR analysis of two immunity genes, ISG15 and GPX7 was congruent with the observations of this study. We recommend that a panel of three reference genes including RPS15, B2M, and GAPDH could prove useful in delineating the transcriptional landscape of PBMCs for vector-borne haemoparasitic diseases in bovines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rashmeet Kaur
- ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal, India; ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
| | - Sonika Ahlawat
- ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal, India.
| | - Vikas Choudhary
- Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, District Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Karnal, Haryana, India
| | - Anisha Kumari
- ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal, India
| | - Ashish Kumar
- ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal, India
| | - Mandeep Kaur
- ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal, India
| | - Reena Arora
- ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal, India
| | - Rekha Sharma
- ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal, India
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Tick Diversity and Distribution of Hard (Ixodidae) Cattle Ticks in South Africa. MICROBIOLOGY RESEARCH 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/microbiolres14010004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Ticks are amongst the important ectoparasites where livestock are concerned, as they adversely affect the animals through bloodsucking. In tropical and subtropical countries, they transmit pathogens such as babesiosis, theileriosis, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis in cattle, causing a reduction in production rate and significant concomitant economic losses. Ticks affect 80% of the cattle population across the world, with an estimated economic loss of USD 20–30 billion per year. In South Africa, economic losses in the livestock industry caused by ticks and tick-borne diseases are estimated to exceed USD 33 million per year (ZAR 500 million). There are seven major genera of ixodid ticks in Southern Africa (i.e., Amblyomma, Dermacentor, Haemaphysalis, Hyalomma, Ixodes and Rhipicephalus). The environment in which a tick lives is made up of all the various biological and abiotic factors that are either necessary or unnecessary for its life. The areas where various ticks have been found have been documented in many publications. Using these data, maps of possible species’ habitats can be made. Historical records on tick distribution may be incorrect due to identification mistakes or a change in the tick’s name. All the sources used to generate the maps for this review were unpublished and came from a wide range of sources. To identify tick species and the accompanying microbial ecosystems, researchers are increasingly adopting tick identification methods including 16S and 18S rDNA gene sequencing. Indeed, little is known about the genetic alterations that give important traits, including the predilection for tick hosts, transmission, and acaricide resistance. Opportunities for exploring these changes in tick populations and subpopulations are provided by advancements in omics technologies. The literature on the variety of ixodid ticks, their direct and indirect effects, and control methods in South Africa is compiled in this review.
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Inspiring Anti-Tick Vaccine Research, Development and Deployment in Tropical Africa for the Control of Cattle Ticks: Review and Insights. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 11:vaccines11010099. [PMID: 36679944 PMCID: PMC9866923 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11010099] [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: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Ticks are worldwide ectoparasites to humans and animals, and are associated with numerous health and economic effects. Threatening over 80% of the global cattle population, tick and tick-borne diseases (TTBDs) particularly constrain livestock production in the East, Central and Southern Africa. This, therefore, makes their control critical to the sustainability of the animal industry in the region. Since ticks are developing resistance against acaricides, anti-tick vaccines (ATVs) have been proposed as an environmentally friendly control alternative. Whereas they have been used in Latin America and Australia to reduce tick populations, pathogenic infections and number of acaricide treatments, commercially registered ATVs have not been adopted in tropical Africa for tick control. This is majorly due to their limited protection against economically important tick species of Africa and lack of research. Recent advances in various omics technologies and reverse vaccinology have enabled the identification of many candidate anti-tick antigens (ATAs), and are likely to usher in the next generation of vaccines, for which Africa should prepare to embrace. Herein, we highlight some scientific principles and approaches that have been used to identify ATAs, outline characteristics of a desirable ATA for vaccine design and propose the need for African governments to investment in ATV research to develop vaccines relevant to local tick species (personalized vaccines). We have also discussed the prospect of incorporating anti-tick vaccines into the integrated TTBDs control strategies in the sub-Saharan Africa, citing the case of Uganda.
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Lashmar SF, Visser C, Okpeku M, Muchadeyi FC, Mapholi NO, van Marle-Köster E. A within- and across-country assessment of the genomic diversity and autozygosity of South African and eSwatini Nguni cattle. Trop Anim Health Prod 2022; 54:365. [DOI: 10.1007/s11250-022-03373-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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de Melo Júnior¹ RD, Ferreira LL, Zapa¹ DMB, Heller¹ LM, Iuasse¹ HV, Naves¹ RB, Trindade ASN, Gontijo LMDA, Scarpa³ AB, Rodrigues DS, Soares VE, Monteiro CMDO, Lopes WDZ. Population dynamics of Rhipicephalus microplus in dairy cattle: influence of the animal categories and correlation with milk production. Vet Res Commun 2022; 47:539-557. [DOI: 10.1007/s11259-022-10002-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Mapholi NO, Banga C, Dzama K, Matika O, Riggio V, Nyangiwe N, Maiwashe A. Prevalence and tick loads in Nguni cattle reared in different environmental conditions across four provinces of South Africa. Vet World 2022; 15:1943-1953. [PMID: 36313849 PMCID: PMC9615489 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2022.1943-1953] [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: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim: In tropical and subtropical countries, ixodid ticks are among livestock’s most economically important ectoparasites. Although Nguni cattle from South Africa have adapted to harsh environments, it is unknown whether they will be resistant to ticks, and the diseases carried by ticks under various climatic conditions. Therefore, this study aimed to compare tick load and estimate the prevalence of different tick species among Nguni cattle under different environmental conditions. Materials and Methods: Tick counts were conducted monthly under natural challenges over 2 years on 586 Nguni cattle located at ARC-Roodeplaat and Loskop farms (warmer climate), Mukhuthali Nguni Community and the University of Fort Hare farms (cooler climate). The generalized linear model procedure of the Statistical Analysis System was used to analyze the data. It fitted the location (farm), sex, year, month or season, and animal age as covariates. Results: The tick species (relative prevalence) observed were as follows: Amblyomma hebraeum (42%), Rhipicephalus evertsi (22%), Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) spp. (16%), Rhipicephalus appendiculatus (11%), Hyalomma marginatum (5%), and Rhipicephalus simus (4%). Tick infestation was significantly affected by location, season, year, month of the tick counting and age of the animal. Loskop farm had the highest tick count (m = 30.69) and showed the largest variation in tick count. Compared to the other seasons, higher tick counts were seen during the hot-dry (September–November) and hot-wet (December–February) seasons. A. hebraeum was the dominant tick species across all four farms, followed by R. evertsi. The perianal region (under the tail head), the perineum and the belly body locations were the most preferred tick attachment sites. Conclusion: These results provide useful information for developing appropriate control strategies for ticks and tick-borne diseases in these provinces of South Africa. Further work must investigate the feasibility of genetic improvement for tick resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - C. Banga
- Department of Agriculture and Animal Health, University of South Africa, Florida, South Africa; Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - K. Dzama
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Matieland, South Africa
| | - O. Matika
- The Roslin Institute and R(D)SVS, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - V. Riggio
- The Roslin Institute and R(D)SVS, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health, Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - N. Nyangiwe
- Department of Agriculture and Animal Health, University of South Africa, Florida, South Africa; Dohne Agricultural Development Institute, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
| | - A. Maiwashe
- Agricultural Research Council, Irene, South Africa
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The Correlation between Subolesin-Reactive Epitopes and Vaccine Efficacy. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10081327. [PMID: 36016215 PMCID: PMC9414912 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10081327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccination is an environmentally-friendly alternative for tick control. The tick antigen Subolesin (SUB) has shown protection in vaccines for the control of multiple tick species in cattle. Additionally, recent approaches in quantum vaccinomics have predicted SUB-protective epitopes and the peptide sequences involved in protein−protein interactions in this tick antigen. Therefore, the identification of B-cell−reactive epitopes by epitope mapping using a SUB peptide array could be essential as a novel strategy for vaccine development. Subolesin can be used as a model to evaluate the effectiveness of these approaches for the identification of protective epitopes related to vaccine protection and efficacy. In this study, the mapping of B-cell linear epitopes of SUB from three different tick species common in Uganda (Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, R. decoloratus, and Amblyomma variegatum) was conducted using serum samples from two cattle breeds immunized with SUB-based vaccines. The results showed that in cattle immunized with SUB from R. appendiculatus (SUBra) all the reactive peptides (Z-score > 2) recognized by IgG were also significant (Z-ratio > 1.96) when compared to the control group. Additionally, some of the reactive peptides recognized by IgG from the control group were also recognized in SUB cocktail−immunized groups. As a significant result, cattle groups that showed the highest vaccine efficacy were Bos indicus immunized with a SUB cocktail (92%), and crossbred cattle were immunized with SUBra (90%) against R. appendiculatus ticks; the IgG from these groups recognized overlapping epitopes from the peptide SPTGLSPGLSPVRDQPLFTFRQVGLICERMMKERESQIRDEYDHVLSAKLAEQYDTFVKFTYDQKRFEGATPSYLS (Z-ratio > 1.96), which partially corresponded to a Q38 peptide and the SUB protein interaction domain. These identified epitopes could be related to the protection and efficacy of the SUB-based vaccines, and new chimeras containing these protective epitopes could be designed using this new approach.
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15
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Kunene LM, Muchadeyi FC, Hadebe K, Mészáros G, Sölkner J, Dugmore T, Dzomba EF. Genetics of Base Coat Colour Variations and Coat Colour-Patterns of the South African Nguni Cattle Investigated Using High-Density SNP Genotypes. Front Genet 2022; 13:832702. [PMID: 35747604 PMCID: PMC9209731 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.832702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Nguni cattle are a Sanga type breed with mixed B. taurus and B. indicus ancestry and proven resistance to ticks, diseases and other harsh conditions of the African geographical landscape. The multi-coloured Nguni coats have found a niche market in the leather industry leading to breeding objectives towards the promotion of such diversity. However, there is limited studies on the genomic architecture underlying the coat colour and patterns hampering any potential breeding and improvement of such trait. This study investigated the genetics of base coat colour, colour-sidedness and the white forehead stripe in Nguni cattle using coat colour phenotyped Nguni cattle and Illumina Bovine HD (770K) genotypes. Base coat colour phenotypes were categorised into eumelanin (n = 45) and pheomelanin (n = 19). Animals were categorised into either colour-sided (n = 46) or non-colour-sided (n = 94) and similarly into presence (n = 15) or absence (n = 67) of white forehead stripe. Genome-wide association tests were conducted using 622,103 quality controlled SNPs and the Efficient Mixed Model Association eXpedited method (EMMAX) implemented in Golden Helix SNP Variation Suite. The genome-wide association studies for base coat colour (eumelanin vs. pheomelanin) resulted into four indicative SNPs on BTA18 and a well-known gene, MC1R, was observed within 1 MB from the indicative SNPs (p < 0.00001) and found to play a role in the melanogenesis (core pathway for melanin production) and the MAPK signalling pathway. GWAS for colour-sidedness resulted in four indicative SNPs, none of which were in close proximity to the KIT candidate gene known for colour-sidedness. GWAS for the white forehead stripe resulted in 17 indicative SNPs on BTA6. Four genes MAPK10, EFNA5, PPP2R3C and PAK1 were found to be associated with the white forehead stripe and were part of the MAPK, adrenergic and Wnt signalling pathways that are synergistically associated with the synthesis of melanin. Overall, our results prove prior knowledge of the role of MC1R in base coat colours in cattle and suggested a different genetic mechanism for forehead stripe phenotypes in Nguni cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Langelihle Mbali Kunene
- Discipline of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Scottsville, South Africa
| | | | - Khanyisile Hadebe
- Agricultural Research Council, Biotechnology Platform, Onderstepoort, South Africa
| | - Gábor Mészáros
- Division of Livestock Sciences, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Johann Sölkner
- Division of Livestock Sciences, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Trevor Dugmore
- KZN Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
| | - Edgar Farai Dzomba
- Discipline of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Scottsville, South Africa
- *Correspondence: Edgar Farai Dzomba,
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Chigwada AD, Mapholi NO, Ogola HJO, Mbizeni S, Masebe TM. Pathogenic and Endosymbiotic Bacteria and Their Associated Antibiotic Resistance Biomarkers in Amblyomma and Hyalomma Ticks Infesting Nguni Cattle (Bos spp.). Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11040432. [PMID: 35456107 PMCID: PMC9028808 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11040432] [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: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Deciphering the interactions between ticks and their microbiome is key to revealing new insights on tick biology and pathogen transmission. However, knowledge on tick-borne microbiome diversity and their contribution to drug resistance is scarce in sub–Saharan Africa (SSA), despite endemism of ticks. In this study, high-throughput 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and PICRUSt predictive function profiling were used to characterize the bacterial community structure and associated antibiotic resistance markers in Amblyomma variegatum, A. hebraeum, and Hyalomma truncatum ticks infesting Nguni cattle (Bos spp.). Twenty-one (seven families and fourteen genera) potentially pathogenic and endosymbiotic bacterial taxa were differentially enriched in two tick genera. In H. truncatum ticks, a higher abundance of Corynebacterium (35.6%), Porphyromonas (14.4%), Anaerococcus (11.1%), Trueperella (3.7%), and Helcococcus (4.7%) was detected. However, Rickettsia (38.6%), Escherichia (7%), and Coxiellaceae (2%) were the major differentially abundant taxa in A. variegatum and A. hebraeum. Further, an abundance of 50 distinct antibiotic resistance biomarkers relating to multidrug resistance (MDR) efflux pumps, drug detoxification enzymes, ribosomal protection proteins, and secretion systems, were inferred in the microbiome. This study provides theoretical insights on the microbiome and associated antibiotic resistance markers, important for the design of effective therapeutic and control decisions for tick-borne diseases in the SSA region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aubrey Dickson Chigwada
- Department of Life and Consumer Sciences, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa (UNISA), Florida Campus, Roodepoort 1709, South Africa; (A.D.C.); (N.O.M.); (H.J.O.O.); (S.M.)
| | - Ntanganedzeni Olivia Mapholi
- Department of Life and Consumer Sciences, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa (UNISA), Florida Campus, Roodepoort 1709, South Africa; (A.D.C.); (N.O.M.); (H.J.O.O.); (S.M.)
| | - Henry Joseph Oduor Ogola
- Department of Life and Consumer Sciences, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa (UNISA), Florida Campus, Roodepoort 1709, South Africa; (A.D.C.); (N.O.M.); (H.J.O.O.); (S.M.)
- School of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, Bondo P.O. Box 210-40601, Kenya
| | - Sikhumbuzo Mbizeni
- Department of Life and Consumer Sciences, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa (UNISA), Florida Campus, Roodepoort 1709, South Africa; (A.D.C.); (N.O.M.); (H.J.O.O.); (S.M.)
| | - Tracy Madimabi Masebe
- Department of Life and Consumer Sciences, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa (UNISA), Florida Campus, Roodepoort 1709, South Africa; (A.D.C.); (N.O.M.); (H.J.O.O.); (S.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +27-11-471-2268
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17
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Mahlobo-Shwabede SIC, Zishiri OT, Thekisoe OMM, Bakkes D, Bohloa L, Molomo M, Makalo MJR, Mahloane GR, Mtshali MS. Ticks of domestic animals in Lesotho: Morphological and molecular characterization. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2022; 29:100691. [PMID: 35256119 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2022.100691] [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: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
A total of 3311 tick specimens were randomly collected from domestic animals including cattle, sheep, goats, horses, donkeys, and dogs from Lesotho districts namely, Berea, Butha-Buthe, Leribe, Mafeteng, Maseru, Mohale's Hoek, Mokhotlong, Qacha's Nek, Quthing and Thaba Tseka. Tick species were identified morphologically and verified by amplification and sequencing of the CO1 and 18S rRNA genes. Nine species were identified under different genera namely, Haemaphysalis elliptica 0.1% (n = 2), Hyalomma rufipes 2.6% (n = 87), Hy. truncatum 1.2% (n = 41), Otobius megnini 13.6% (n = 451), Rhipicephalus appendiculatus 0.1% (n = 3), Rhipicephalus decoloratus 9.3% (n = 308), Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi 65.1% (n = 2156), Rhipicephalus glabroscutatum 1.3% (n = 43) and Rhipicephalus microplus 6.6% (n = 220). There was a significant difference at p = 6.2E-06 (ꭓ2 = 1.923, df = 7) in the distribution of tick species and their abundance p = 0.04 (ꭓ2 = 1.923, df = 7) from each population. The CO1 and 18S rRNA sequences matched the morphological determinations on the NCBI database and clustered with relevant species on the phylogenetic tree. Genetic analysis of CO1 and 18S rRNA provided very strong support for monophyly of the Rhipicephalinae and Ornithodorinae complexes. Both CO1 and 18S rRNA are useful genetic markers for the specific and generic characterization of tick species in Lesotho and elsewhere. This is the first scientific publication of tick species occurring in Lesotho.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sibonginhlanhla I C Mahlobo-Shwabede
- Discipline of Genetics, School of Life Science, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa
| | - Oliver T Zishiri
- Discipline of Genetics, School of Life Science, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa.
| | - Oriel M M Thekisoe
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2531, South Africa
| | - Deon Bakkes
- Gertrud Theiler Tick Museum, Agricultural Research Council-Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Lineo Bohloa
- Department of Livestock Services, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Maseru 100, Lesotho
| | - Marosi Molomo
- Department of Livestock Services, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Maseru 100, Lesotho
| | - Mabusetsa J R Makalo
- Department of Livestock Services, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Maseru 100, Lesotho
| | - Gerard R Mahloane
- Department of Livestock Services, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Maseru 100, Lesotho
| | - Moses S Mtshali
- University of Limpopo, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Private Bag X1106, Sovenga 0727, South Africa
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18
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Genome variation in tick infestation and cryptic divergence in Tunisian indigenous sheep. BMC Genomics 2022; 23:167. [PMID: 35227193 PMCID: PMC8883713 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-022-08321-1] [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: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ticks are obligate haematophagous ectoparasites considered second to mosquitos as vectors and reservoirs of multiple pathogens of global concern. Individual variation in tick infestation has been reported in indigenous sheep, but its genetic control remains unknown. Results Here, we report 397 genome-wide signatures of selection overlapping 991 genes from the analysis, using ROH, LR-GWAS, XP-EHH, and FST, of 600 K SNP genotype data from 165 Tunisian sheep showing high and low levels of tick infestations and piroplasm infections. We consider 45 signatures that are detected by consensus results of at least two methods as high-confidence selection regions. These spanned 104 genes which included immune system function genes, solute carriers and chemokine receptor. One region spanned STX5, that has been associated with tick resistance in cattle, implicating it as a prime candidate in sheep. We also observed RAB6B and TF in a high confidence candidate region that has been associated with growth traits suggesting natural selection is enhancing growth and developmental stability under tick challenge. The analysis also revealed fine-scale genome structure indicative of cryptic divergence in Tunisian sheep. Conclusions Our findings provide a genomic reference that can enhance the understanding of the genetic architecture of tick resistance and cryptic divergence in indigenous African sheep. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-022-08321-1.
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Abeysinghe P, Turner N, Peiris H, Vaswani K, Cameron N, McGhee N, Logan J, Mitchell MD. Differentially Expressed Extracellular Vesicle, Exosome and Non-Exosome miRNA Profile in High and Low Tick-Resistant Beef Cattle. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:780424. [PMID: 34976862 PMCID: PMC8718928 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.780424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Heavy tick burden on beef cattle account for huge economic losses globally, with an estimated value of US$22-30 billion per annum. In Australia, ticks cost the northern beef industry approximately A$170-200 million. Methods to evaluate and predict tick resistance would therefore be of great value to the global cattle trade. Exosomes (EX) are small extracellular vesicles (EVs) of ~30-150nm diameter and have gained popularity for their diagnostic and prognostic potential. EX contain, among other biomolecules, various types of RNA including micro-RNA (miRNA) and long noncoding RNA (lncRNA). MiRNA specifically have been validated as therapeutic biomarkers as they perform regulatory functions at the post-transcriptional level and are differentially expressed between divergent groups. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the miRNA profiles of EV and fractionated exosomal samples of high and low tick-resistant beef cattle to highlight potential miRNA biomarkers of tick resistance. Cows (n = 3/group) were classified into high or low tick resistant groups according to a novel scoring system. EVs and EX were isolated and fractionated from the blood plasma of high and low tick resistant cattle using established isolation and enrichment protocols. The resultant EX and non-EX samples were processed for next generation miRNA sequencing. Offspring of the cows in each high and low tick resistant group underwent the same processing for blood plasma EX, non-EX and miRNA analysis to evaluate the heritability of miRNA associated with tick resistance. A total of 2631 miRNAs were identified in EX and non-EX fractionated samples from high and low tick-resistant beef cattle. MiR-449a was highly expressed in maternal high tick-resistant EX samples. Of these, 174 were novel miRNAs, and 10 were differentially expressed (DE) (FDR < 0.05). These 10 DE miRNAs were also present in EVs, and three miRNAs were highly expressed: miR-2419-3p, miR-7861-3p and miR-2372-5p. Although 196 novel miRNAs were identified in fractionated samples of offspring, no miRNA were differentially expressed in these animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pevindu Abeysinghe
- Centre for Children’s Health Research, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, The Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Natalie Turner
- Centre for Children’s Health Research, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, The Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Hassendrini Peiris
- Centre for Children’s Health Research, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, The Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Kanchan Vaswani
- Centre for Children’s Health Research, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, The Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Nick Cameron
- Nindooinbah Pastoral Company, Nindooinbah, QLD, Australia
| | | | - Jayden Logan
- Centre for Children’s Health Research, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, The Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Murray D. Mitchell
- Centre for Children’s Health Research, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, The Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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20
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Suitability of GWAS as a Tool to Discover SNPs Associated with Tick Resistance in Cattle: A Review. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10121604. [PMID: 34959558 PMCID: PMC8707706 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10121604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the biological mechanisms underlying tick resistance in cattle holds the potential to facilitate genetic improvement through selective breeding. Genome wide association studies (GWAS) are popular in research on unraveling genetic determinants underlying complex traits such as tick resistance. To date, various studies have been published on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with tick resistance in cattle. The discovery of SNPs related to tick resistance has led to the mapping of associated candidate genes. Despite the success of these studies, information on genetic determinants associated with tick resistance in cattle is still limited. This warrants the need for more studies to be conducted. In Africa, the cost of genotyping is still relatively expensive; thus, conducting GWAS is a challenge, as the minimum number of animals recommended cannot be genotyped. These population size and genotype cost challenges may be overcome through the establishment of collaborations. Thus, the current review discusses GWAS as a tool to uncover SNPs associated with tick resistance, by focusing on the study design, association analysis, factors influencing the success of GWAS, and the progress on cattle tick resistance studies.
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21
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Genetic Analyses and Genome-Wide Association Studies on Pathogen Resistance of Bos taurus and Bos indicus Cattle Breeds in Cameroon. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12070976. [PMID: 34206759 PMCID: PMC8307268 DOI: 10.3390/genes12070976] [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: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Autochthonous taurine and later introduced zebu cattle from Cameroon differ considerably in their resistance to endemic pathogens with little to no reports of the underlying genetic make-up. Breed history and habitat variations are reported to contribute significantly to this diversity worldwide, presumably in Cameroon as well, where locations diverge in climate, pasture, and prevalence of infectious agents. In order to investigate the genetic background, the genotypes of 685 individuals of different Cameroonian breeds were analysed by using the BovineSNP50v3 BeadChip. The variance components including heritability were estimated and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were performed. Phenotypes were obtained by parasitological screening and categorised in Tick-borne pathogens (TBP), gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN), and onchocercosis (ONC). Estimated heritabilities were low for GIN and TBP (0.079 (se = 0.084) and 0.109 (se = 0.103) respectively) and moderate for ONC (0.216 (se = 0.094)). Further than revealing the quantitative nature of the traits, GWAS identified putative trait-associated genomic regions on five chromosomes, including the chromosomes 11 and 18 for GIN, 20 and 24 for TBP, and 12 for ONC. The results imply that breeding for resistant animals in the cattle population from Northern Cameroon might be possible for the studied pathogens; however, further research in this field using larger datasets will be required to improve the resistance towards pathogen infections, propose candidate genes or to infer biological pathways, as well as the genetic structures of African multi-breed populations.
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Kasaija PD, Contreras M, Kabi F, Mugerwa S, de la Fuente J. Vaccination with Recombinant Subolesin Antigens Provides Cross-Tick Species Protection in Bos indicus and Crossbred Cattle in Uganda. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8020319. [PMID: 32570925 PMCID: PMC7350222 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8020319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Revised: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cattle tick infestations and transmitted pathogens affect animal health, production and welfare with an impact on cattle industry in tropical and subtropical countries. Anti-tick vaccines constitute an effective and sustainable alternative to the traditional methods for the control of tick infestations. Subolesin (SUB)-based vaccines have shown efficacy for the control of multiple tick species, but several factors affect the development of new and more effective vaccines for the control of tick infestations. To address this challenge, herein we used a regional and host/tick species driven approach for vaccine design and implementation. The objective of the study was to develop SUB-based vaccines for the control of the most important tick species (Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, R. decoloratus and Amblyomma variegatum) affecting production of common cattle breeds (Bos indicus and B. indicus x B. taurus crossbred) in Uganda. In this way, we addressed the development of anti-tick vaccines as an intervention to prevent the economic losses caused by ticks and tick-borne diseases in the cattle industry in Uganda. The results showed the possibility of using SUB antigens for the control of multiple tick species in B. indicus and crossbred cattle and suggested the use of R. appendiculatus SUB to continue research on vaccine design and formulation for the control of cattle ticks in Uganda. Future directions would include quantum vaccinology approaches based on the characterization of the SUB protective epitopes, modeling of the vaccine E under Ugandan ecological and epidemiological conditions and optimization of vaccine formulation including the possibility of oral administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul D. Kasaija
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM)-Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha (JCCM), Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain; (P.D.K.); (M.C.)
- National Livestock Resources Research Institute (NaLIRRI/NARO), P.O. Box 5704 Kampala, Uganda; (F.K.); (S.M.)
| | - Marinela Contreras
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM)-Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha (JCCM), Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain; (P.D.K.); (M.C.)
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis, Interlab-UMU, Regional Campus of International Excellence Campus Mare Nostrum, University of Murcia, Espinardo, 30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - Fredrick Kabi
- National Livestock Resources Research Institute (NaLIRRI/NARO), P.O. Box 5704 Kampala, Uganda; (F.K.); (S.M.)
| | - Swidiq Mugerwa
- National Livestock Resources Research Institute (NaLIRRI/NARO), P.O. Box 5704 Kampala, Uganda; (F.K.); (S.M.)
| | - José de la Fuente
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM)-Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha (JCCM), Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain; (P.D.K.); (M.C.)
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
- Correspondence: or
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Marima JK, Nel CL, Marufu MC, Jonsson NN, Dube B, Dzama K. A genetic and immunological comparison of tick-resistance in beef cattle following artificial infestation with Rhipicephalus ticks. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2020; 80:569-590. [PMID: 32185559 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-020-00480-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Host resistance to ticks can be explored as a possible approach of combating tick infestations to complement the existing unsustainable tick control methods. Thirty-six beef cattle animals were used, consisting of Angus, Brahman and Nguni breeds, with each breed contributing 12 animals. Half of the animals per breed were artificially challenged with Rhipicephalus microplus and the other half with R. decoloratus unfed larvae per animal. Skin biopsies and blood samples were collected pre-infestation and 12 h post-infestation from the feeding sites of visibly engorging ticks. The success rate of the ticks was high and had an influence even at the early time point. Increased lymphocytes and blood urea nitrogen levels as well as decreased levels of segmented neutrophils were observed in the Angus, which were the opposite of those in the Brahman and Nguni. The increase in cholesterol, which was highest in the Angus and lowest in the Nguni, may be due to altered protein metabolism. The expression profiles of genes TRAF6, TBP, LUM and B2M were significantly different among breeds. Five genes (CCR1, TLR5, TRAF6, TBP, BDA20) had increased or constant expression post-infestation, whereas the expression of CXCL8, IL-10 and TNF-α decreased or remained the same after tick challenge. Genes that showed variation are involved in discouraging long-term supply of blood meal to the tick and those associated with immune responses. The gene LUM is a potential biomarker for tick resistance in cattle. The response to infestation by the breeds was consistent across the tick species.
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Affiliation(s)
- J K Marima
- Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of AgriSciences, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, South Africa
| | - C L Nel
- Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of AgriSciences, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, South Africa
| | - M C Marufu
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X4, Onderstepoort, 0110, South Africa
| | - N N Jonsson
- College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Bearsden, G61 1QH, UK
| | - B Dube
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Agricultural Research Council - Animal Production, Private Bag X2, Irene, 0062, South Africa
| | - K Dzama
- Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of AgriSciences, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, South Africa.
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Moré DD, Cardoso FF, Mudadu MA, Malagó-Jr W, Gulias-Gomes CC, Sollero BP, Ibelli AMG, Coutinho LL, Regitano LCA. Network analysis uncovers putative genes affecting resistance to tick infestation in Braford cattle skin. BMC Genomics 2019; 20:998. [PMID: 31856720 PMCID: PMC6923859 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-019-6360-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 12/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Genetic resistance in cattle is considered a suitable way to control tick burden and its consequent losses for livestock production. Exploring tick-resistant (R) and tick-susceptible (S) hosts, we investigated the genetic mechanisms underlying the variation of Braford resistance to tick infestation. Skin biopsies from four-times-artificially infested R (n = 20) and S (n = 19) hosts, obtained before the first and 24 h after the fourth tick infestation were submitted to RNA-Sequencing. Differential gene expression, functional enrichment, and network analysis were performed to identify genetic pathways and transcription factors (TFs) affecting host resistance. Results Intergroup comparisons of hosts before (Rpre vs. Spre) and after (Rpost vs. Spost) tick infestation found 51 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), of which almost all presented high variation (TopDEGs), and 38 were redundant genes. Gene expression was consistently different between R and S hosts, suggesting the existence of specific anti-tick mechanisms. In the intragroup comparisons, Rpost vs. Rpre and Spost vs. Spre, we found more than two thousand DEGs in response to tick infestation in both resistance groups. Redundant and non-redundant TopDEGs with potential anti-tick functions suggested a role in the development of different levels of resistance within the same breed. Leukocyte chemotaxis was over-represented in both hosts, whereas skin degradation and remodeling were only found in TopDEGs from R hosts. Also, these genes indicated the participation of cytokines, such as IL6 and IL22, and the activation of Wingless (WNT)-signaling pathway. A central gene of this pathway, WNT7A, was consistently modulated when hosts were compared. Moreover, the findings based on a genome-wide association study (GWAS) corroborate the prediction of the WNT-signaling pathway as a candidate mechanism of resistance. The regulation of immune response was the most relevant pathway predicted for S hosts. Members of Ap1 and NF-kB families were the most relevant TFs predicted for R and S, respectively. Conclusion This work provides indications of genetic mechanisms presented by Braford cattle with different levels of resistance in response to tick infestation, contributing to the search of candidate genes for tick resistance in bovine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fernando F Cardoso
- EMBRAPA Pecuária Sul, Bagé, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.,Federal University of Pelotas, Capão do Leão, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Luiz L Coutinho
- Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil
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25
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Madilindi MA, Banga CB, Bhebhe E, Sanarana YP, Nxumalo KS, Taela MG, Magagula BS, Mapholi NO. Genetic diversity and relationships among three Southern African Nguni cattle populations. Trop Anim Health Prod 2019; 52:753-762. [PMID: 31529304 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-019-02066-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The Nguni cattle breed has distinct populations that are adapted to the different ecological zones of Southern Africa. This study was carried out to assess genetic diversity and establish the relationships among South African (SA), Mozambican (Landim), and Swazi Nguni cattle populations, using 25 microsatellite markers. Genotypic data were generated from deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) samples of 90 unrelated individuals of the three cattle populations, collected from government conservations and stud herds. DNA profiles of five local beef breeds were used as the reference populations. Most of the 25 microsatellite markers were highly polymorphic across the studied populations, with an overall polymorphic information content (PIC) mean of 0.676. Genetic diversity within populations was high with expected heterozygosity varying from 0.705 ± 0.024 (Landim) to 0.748 ± 0.021 (SA Nguni) and mean number of alleles being highest in the SA Nguni (7.52 ± 0.42). Average observed heterozygosity (0.597 ± 0.046) compared to the expected heterozygosity (0.719 ± 0.022) was lowest for the Swazi Nguni, which also had a high number of Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium (HWE) deviated loci (13), confirming the relatively high level of inbreeding (0.158 ± 0.058) in that population. Analysis of molecular variance revealed only 9.61% of the total variation between the populations and 90.39% within populations. A short genetic distance (0.299) was observed between Landim and Swazi Nguni, with the SA Nguni (> 0.500) being the most genetically distant population. The distant relationship between SA Nguni and the other two Nguni cattle populations was further confirmed by a principal coordinates analysis. The three Nguni populations clustered independently from each other, despite some evidence of admixture. Therefore, it can be concluded that SA Nguni, Landim, and Swazi Nguni populations in Southern Africa exhibit high levels of genetic diversity and are genetically distant; with the two latter populations being less genetically apart. These results present useful information for the development of strategies for regional management of animal genetic resources, through conservation and sustainable utilisation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matome A Madilindi
- Department of Animal Science, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou, 0950, South Africa. .,ARC-Animal Production, Private Bag X2, Irene, 0062, South Africa.
| | - Cuthbert B Banga
- ARC-Animal Production, Private Bag X2, Irene, 0062, South Africa
| | - Evison Bhebhe
- Department of Animal Science, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou, 0950, South Africa
| | | | | | - Maria G Taela
- Directorate of Animal Science, Agrarian Research Institute of Mozambique, Av. Namaacha Km 11.5, P.O. Box 1410, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Bongani S Magagula
- Department of Veterinary and Livestock Services, Ministry of Agriculture, P.O. Box 162, Mbabane, Swaziland
| | - Ntanganedzeni O Mapholi
- Department of Life and Consumer Sciences, University of South Africa, Private Bag X6, Florida, 1710, South Africa
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Dias F, Couto J, Ferrolho J, Seron GS, Bell-Sakyi L, Antunes S, Domingos A. Folate pathway modulation in Rhipicephalus ticks in response to infection. Transbound Emerg Dis 2019; 67 Suppl 2:94-99. [PMID: 31231926 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Revised: 04/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Folate pathways components were demonstrated to be present in RNA-sequencing data obtained from uninfected and pathogen-infected Rhipicephalus ticks. Here, PCR and qPCR allowed the identification of folate-related genes in Rhipicephalus spp. ticks and in the tick cell line IDE8. Genes coding for GTP cyclohydrolase I (gch-I), thymidylate synthase (ts) and 6-pyrovoyltetrahydropterin (ptps) were identified. Differential gene expression was evaluated by qPCR between uninfected and infected samples of four biological systems, showing significant upregulation and largest fold-change for the gch-I gene in the majority of the biological systems, supporting the selection for functional analysis by RNAi silencing. Efficient knockdown of the gch-I gene in uninfected and Ehrlichia canis-infected IDE8 cells showed no detectable impact on the capacity of the bacteria to invade or replicate in the tick cells. Overall, this work demonstrated an increase in the expression of some folate-related genes, though not always statistically significantly, in the presence of infection, suggesting gene expression modulation of these pathways, either as a tick response to an invader or manipulation of the tick cell machinery by the pathogens to their advantage. This discovery points to folate pathways as interesting targets for further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipa Dias
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade de Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Joana Couto
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa (GHTM-IHMT-UNL), Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Joana Ferrolho
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa (GHTM-IHMT-UNL), Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Gustavo S Seron
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa (GHTM-IHMT-UNL), Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Lesley Bell-Sakyi
- Department of Infection Biology, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Sandra Antunes
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa (GHTM-IHMT-UNL), Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ana Domingos
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa (GHTM-IHMT-UNL), Lisboa, Portugal
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27
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Alves PRL, Bandeira FO, Giraldi M, Presotto R, Segat JC, Cardoso EJBN, Baretta D. Ecotoxicological assessment of Fluazuron: effects on Folsomia candida and Eisenia andrei. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 26:5842-5850. [PMID: 30613876 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-018-4022-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The cattle production in Brazil has increased considerably in the last years, mainly due to the control of parasite infestation of the animals, which cause loss of productivity to the sector. Fluazuron is an active ingredient (a.i.) of the benzoylurea class used to control ticks in cattle. As this a.i. has been found unchanged in animal feces, which may present a risk to edaphic organisms, this study aimed to assess the effects of fluazuron on survival, reproduction, and behavior of the soil invertebrates Folsomia candida and Eisenia andrei, through ecotoxicological assays. We carried out bioassays in a tropical artificial soil (TAS) spiked with increasing doses of the insecticide. Earthworm mortality was found only at the highest tested fluazuron concentration (LOEC = 160 mg a.i. kg-1 dry soil and NOEC = 80 mg kg-1), while the reproduction of F. candida and E. andrei was reduced at lower fluazuron concentrations (EC50 = 4.48 mg kg-1 and EC50 = 20.8 mg kg-1, respectively). Avoidance behavior was detected for both species at lower concentrations than those that caused impacts on reproduction, indicating that the substance may affect the soil habitat function. Since the possible adverse effects of fluazuron on edaphic fauna are still unknown or neglected, this study also warns about the possible harmful effect of veterinary pharmaceutical products on edaphic fauna.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo Roger Lopes Alves
- Federal University of Fronteira Sul, Av. Fernando Machado 108 E, Chapecó, SC, 89802-112, Brazil.
| | - Felipe Ogliari Bandeira
- Department of Soil Science, Santa Catarina State University, Av. Luis de Camões, 2090, Lages, SC, 88520-000, Brazil
| | - Maicon Giraldi
- Federal University of Fronteira Sul, Av. Fernando Machado 108 E, Chapecó, SC, 89802-112, Brazil
| | - Rosicler Presotto
- Federal University of Fronteira Sul, Av. Fernando Machado 108 E, Chapecó, SC, 89802-112, Brazil
| | - Julia Corá Segat
- Centro de Educação Superior do Oeste, Santa Catarina State University, Beloni Trombeta Zanin, 680-E, Chapecó, SC, 89815-630, Brazil
| | | | - Dilmar Baretta
- Centro de Educação Superior do Oeste, Santa Catarina State University, Beloni Trombeta Zanin, 680-E, Chapecó, SC, 89815-630, Brazil
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28
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Burrow HM, Mans BJ, Cardoso FF, Birkett MA, Kotze AC, Hayes BJ, Mapholi N, Dzama K, Marufu MC, Githaka NW, Djikeng A. Towards a new phenotype for tick resistance in beef and dairy cattle: a review. ANIMAL PRODUCTION SCIENCE 2019. [DOI: 10.1071/an18487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
About 80% of the world’s cattle are affected by ticks and tick-borne diseases, both of which cause significant production losses. Cattle host resistance to ticks is the most important factor affecting the economics of tick control, but it is largely neglected in tick-control programs due to technical difficulties and costs associated with identifying individual-animal variation in resistance. The present paper reviews the scientific literature to identify factors affecting resistance of cattle to ticks and the biological mechanisms of host tick resistance, to develop alternative phenotype(s) for tick resistance. If new cost-effective phenotype(s) can be developed and validated, then tick resistance of cattle could be genetically improved using genomic selection, and incorporated into breeding objectives to simultaneously improve cattle productive attributes and tick resistance. The phenotype(s) could also be used to improve tick control by using cattle management. On the basis of the present review, it is recommended that three possible phenotypes (haemolytic analysis; measures of skin hypersensitivity reactions; simplified artificial tick infestations) be further developed to determine their practical feasibility for consistently, cost-effectively and reliably measuring cattle tick resistance in thousands of individual animals in commercial and smallholder farmer herds in tropical and subtropical areas globally. During evaluation of these potential new phenotypes, additional measurements should be included to determine the possibility of developing a volatile-based resistance phenotype, to simultaneously improve cattle resistance to both ticks and biting flies. Because the current measurements of volatile chemistry do not satisfy the requirements of a simple, cost-effective phenotype for use in commercial cattle herds, consideration should also be given to inclusion of potentially simpler measures to enable indirect genetic selection for volatile-based resistance to ticks.
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29
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van Marle-Köster E, Visser C. Genetic Improvement in South African Livestock: Can Genomics Bridge the Gap Between the Developed and Developing Sectors? Front Genet 2018; 9:331. [PMID: 30190725 PMCID: PMC6115519 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2018.00331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2018] [Accepted: 07/31/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
South Africa (SA) holds a unique position on the African continent with a rich diversity in terms of available livestock resources, vegetation, climatic regions and cultures. The livestock sector has been characterized by a dual system of a highly developed commercial sector using modern technology vs. a developing sector including emerging and smallholder farmers. Emerging farmers typically aim to join the commercial sector, but lag behind with regard to the use of modern genetic technologies, while smallholder farmers use traditional practices aimed at subsistence. Several factors influence potential application of genomics by the livestock industries, which include available research funding, socio-economic constraints and extension services. State funded Beef and Dairy genomic programs have been established with the aim of building reference populations for genomic selection with most of the potential beneficiaries in the well-developed commercial sector. The structure of the beef, dairy and small stock industries is fragmented and the outcomes of selection strategies are not perceived as an advantage by the processing industry or the consumer. The indigenous and local composites represent approximately 40% of the total beef and sheep populations and present valuable genetic resources. Genomic research has mostly provided insight on genetic biodiversity of these resources, with limited attention to novel phenotypes associated with adaptation or disease tolerance. Genetic improvement of livestock through genomic technology needs to address the role of adapted breeds in challenging environments, increasing reproductive and growth efficiency. National animal recording schemes contributed significantly to progress in the developed sector with regard to genetic evaluations and estimated breeding values (EBV) as a selection tool over the past three decades. The challenge remains on moving the focus to novel traits for increasing efficiency and addressing welfare and environmental issues. Genetic research programs are required that will be directed to bridge the gap between the elite breeders and the developing livestock sector. The aim of this review was to provide a perspective on the dichotomy in the South African livestock sector arguing that a realistic approach to the use of genomics in beef, dairy and small stock is required to ensure sustainable long term genetic progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esté van Marle-Köster
- Department of Animal and Wildlife Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Carina Visser
- Department of Animal and Wildlife Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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30
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Benelli G. Managing mosquitoes and ticks in a rapidly changing world - Facts and trends. Saudi J Biol Sci 2018; 26:921-929. [PMID: 31303820 PMCID: PMC6600734 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2018.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2018] [Revised: 06/06/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Vector-borne diseases transmitted by mosquitoes and ticks are on the rise. The effective and sustainable control of these arthropod vectors is a puzzling challenge for public health worldwide. In the present review, I attempted to provide a concise and updated overview of the current mosquito and tick research scenario. The wide array of control tools recently developed has been considered, with special reference to those approved by the World Health Organization Vector Control Advisory Group (WHO VCAG), as well as novel ones with an extremely promising potential to be exploited in vector control programs. Concerning mosquitoes, a major focus has been given on genetically modified vectors, eave tubes, attractive toxic sugar baits (ATSB) and biocontrol agents. Regarding ticks, the recent development of highly effective repellents and acaricides (including nanoformulated ones) as well as behavior-based control tools, has been highlighted. In the second part of the review, key research questions about biology and control of mosquitoes and ticks have been critically formulated. A timely research agenda outlining hot issues to be addressed in mosquito and tick research is provided. Overall, it is expected that the present review will contribute to boost research and applications on successful mosquito and tick control strategies, along with an improved knowledge of their biology and ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Benelli
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy.,The BioRobotics Institute, Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, 56025, Pontedera, Pisa, Italy
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31
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Benelli G, Pavela R. Repellence of essential oils and selected compounds against ticks-A systematic review. Acta Trop 2018; 179:47-54. [PMID: 29287758 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2017.12.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2017] [Revised: 12/11/2017] [Accepted: 12/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Ticks act as vectors of a wide range of infectious agents, far encompassing any other group of bloodsucking arthropods worldwide. The prevention of tick-borne diseases is strictly linked to the successful management of tick vector populations. The employ of repellents can represent a worth solution to avoid tick bites. It is widely adopted to protect travellers and pets exposed to ticks during limited periods of the year. The use of natural products as active ingredients in eco-friendly repellent formulations is currently a prominent research area, due to the wide diversity and high effectiveness of a number of plant-borne compounds, with special reference to essential oils (EOs) extracted from medicinal and aromatic species. Here, we reviewed current knowledge available on EOs tested as repellents against tick species of veterinary importance. Furthermore, we analysed the effectiveness of pure compounds isolated from EOs as tick repellents and their potential implications for practical use in the öreal world". A quantitative analysis of literature available is this research field was provided, along with its impact (i.e., in terms of citations over time) on the scientific community of researchers in tick control science and natural product chemistry. In the final sections, future outlooks are highlighted. We discussed major challenges to stabilize the most effective EOs and pure molecules, explore the synergistic and antagonistic effects in blends of EOs and/or pure constituents, standardize currently adopted testing methods, and evaluate non-target risks of herbal repellents.
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32
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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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33
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Zhang R, Zhao A, Wang X, Zhang Z. Diversity of tick species on domestic animals in Shandong Province, China, using DNA barcoding. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2017; 73:79-89. [PMID: 28849536 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-017-0161-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2017] [Accepted: 07/22/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Ticks are considered to be second only to mosquitoes as vectors of diseases. In recent years, severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome, a new emerging tick-borne disease has been detected in many areas of China, including Shandong Province, Eastern China. Here, we report the tick species diversity based on surveys between 2014 and 2016 covering 16 locations in seven cities of Shandong. Based on DNA barcoding, 1859 ticks belonging to three species were identified: Haemaphysalis longicornis, Rhipicephalus turanicus and Haemaphysalis verticalis. Samples of the same species clustered together in a neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree, with intraspecific distances between 0 and 3.0% and interspecific distances ranged between 15.5 and 24.3%. Goats and dogs were the major hosts of ticks and H. longicornis was regarded as predominant tick species of Shandong. In order to reduce tick populations and prevent tick-borne diseases, effective control measures should be implemented on human and domestic animals, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiling Zhang
- Collaborative Innovation Center for the Origin and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Taishan Medical University, Taian, 271016, People's Republic of China
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Taishan Medical University, Taian, 271016, People's Republic of China
| | - Aihua Zhao
- Taian Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Taian, 271000, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuejun Wang
- Shandong Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jinan, 250014, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhong Zhang
- Collaborative Innovation Center for the Origin and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Taishan Medical University, Taian, 271016, People's Republic of China.
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Taishan Medical University, Taian, 271016, People's Republic of China.
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34
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Sollero BP, Junqueira VS, Gomes CCG, Caetano AR, Cardoso FF. Tag SNP selection for prediction of tick resistance in Brazilian Braford and Hereford cattle breeds using Bayesian methods. Genet Sel Evol 2017; 49:49. [PMID: 28619006 PMCID: PMC5471684 DOI: 10.1186/s12711-017-0325-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2016] [Accepted: 05/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cattle resistance to ticks is known to be under genetic control with a complex biological mechanism within and among breeds. Our aim was to identify genomic segments and tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with tick-resistance in Hereford and Braford cattle. The predictive performance of a very low-density tag SNP panel was estimated and compared with results obtained with a 50 K SNP dataset. RESULTS BayesB (π = 0.99) was initially applied in a genome-wide association study (GWAS) for this complex trait by using deregressed estimated breeding values for tick counts and 41,045 SNP genotypes from 3455 animals raised in southern Brazil. To estimate the combined effect of a genomic region that is potentially associated with quantitative trait loci (QTL), 2519 non-overlapping 1-Mb windows that varied in SNP number were defined, with the top 48 windows including 914 SNPs and explaining more than 20% of the estimated genetic variance for tick resistance. Subsequently, the most informative SNPs were selected based on Bayesian parameters (model frequency and t-like statistics), linkage disequilibrium and minor allele frequency to propose a very low-density 58-SNP panel. Some of these tag SNPs mapped close to or within genes and pseudogenes that are functionally related to tick resistance. Prediction ability of this SNP panel was investigated by cross-validation using K-means and random clustering and a BayesA model to predict direct genomic values. Accuracies from these cross-validations were 0.27 ± 0.09 and 0.30 ± 0.09 for the K-means and random clustering groups, respectively, compared to respective values of 0.37 ± 0.08 and 0.43 ± 0.08 when using all 41,045 SNPs and BayesB with π = 0.99, or of 0.28 ± 0.07 and 0.40 ± 0.08 with π = 0.999. CONCLUSIONS Bayesian GWAS model parameters can be used to select tag SNPs for a very low-density panel, which will include SNPs that are potentially linked to functional genes. It can be useful for cost-effective genomic selection tools, when one or a few key complex traits are of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruna P. Sollero
- Embrapa Pecuária Sul, Caixa Postal 242 - BR 153 - Km 633, Bagé, Rio Grande do Sul 96.401-970 Brazil
| | - Vinícius S. Junqueira
- Departamento de Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Avenida Peter Henry Rolfs, s/n - Campus Universitário, Viçosa, Minas Gerais 36.570-000 Brazil
| | - Cláudia C. G. Gomes
- Embrapa Pecuária Sul, Caixa Postal 242 - BR 153 - Km 633, Bagé, Rio Grande do Sul 96.401-970 Brazil
| | - Alexandre R. Caetano
- Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, Parque Estacao Biologica Final Av. W/5 Norte, Brasilia-DF, C.P. 02372, Brasília, Distrito Federal 70770-917 Brazil
| | - Fernando F. Cardoso
- Embrapa Pecuária Sul, Caixa Postal 242 - BR 153 - Km 633, Bagé, Rio Grande do Sul 96.401-970 Brazil
- Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Capão do Leão, Rio Grande do Sul 96.000-010 Brazil
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Reis ÂP, Boligon AA, Yokoo MJ, Cardoso FF. Design of selection schemes to include tick resistance in the breeding goal for Hereford and Braford cattle. J Anim Sci 2017; 95:572-583. [PMID: 28380595 DOI: 10.2527/jas.2016.0913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks are one of the main causes of losses in cattle, causing economic impact by reducing productivity and fertility and by transmission of diseases. The objective of this study was to analyze the genetic gains obtained through different strategies to include traditional (EBV) or genomic EBV (GEBV) for tick count (TC) in selection indexes for Hereford and Braford cattle. Besides TC, we also considered traits currently included in the Delta G Breeding Program Index (DGI): preweaning gain, weaning conformation, weaning precocity, weaning muscling, postweaning gain, yearling conformation, yearling precocity, yearling muscling, and scrotal circumference. Genetic gain per generation (ΔG) was evaluated using the current DGI and including TC in 8 alternative scenarios with TC relative weightings of 10, 50, or 100% and using phenotype or GEBV. Genomic EBV accuracy () ranged between 0.1 and 0.9. As expected, increasing increases the accuracy of the index () for all scenarios in which GEBV were considered. As the relative weight of TC was increased to 50%, greater ΔG differences in relation to the baseline DGI ($53.03) scenario were observed when the GEBV information was included with equal to or greater than 0.7 only for TC (ΔG between $61.06 and $74.26) or equal to or greater than 0.5 for all traits (ΔG between $56.03 and $83.36). To achieve these accuracies for traits with low heritability, a large calibration data set would be required. Focusing only on TC, the availability of genomic information would be desirable to avoid the need to count ticks and the exposure of animals to parasitism risks. However, for = 0.7, the respective numbers for Hereford and Braford would be 4,703 and 6,522 animals. As expected, when comparing the relative index weights of 10, 50, and 100% for TC, the highest response to selection per generation (RS) for TC was in the scenario was with 100% relative weight and GEBV for this trait (SR = -0.09 SD with = 0.9). This would be the recommended scenario to form tick-resistant lines in Hereford and Braford cattle. However, with 50% relative weight for TC, including GEBV information for TC only or for all traits in index ( = 0.9), it should yield 93 or 84% of RS, respectively, compared to that obtained with full emphasis on TC (100% relative weight) and GEBV information. This indicates that in the presence of highly accurate GEBV, despite slightly slower gain for TC, indexes with 50% relative weight for TC are interesting alternatives to jointly improve tick resistance and other relevant traits.
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Villar M, Marina A, de la Fuente J. Applying proteomics to tick vaccine development: where are we? Expert Rev Proteomics 2017; 14:211-221. [PMID: 28099817 DOI: 10.1080/14789450.2017.1284590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Ticks are second to mosquitoes as a vector of human diseases and are the first vector of animal diseases with a great impact on livestock farming. Tick vaccines represent a sustainable and effective alternative to chemical acaricides for the control of tick infestations and transmitted pathogens. The application of proteomics to tick vaccine development is a fairly recent area, which has resulted in the characterization of some tick-host-pathogen interactions and the identification of candidate protective antigens. Areas covered: In this article, we review the application and possibilities of various proteomic approaches for the discovery of tick and pathogen derived protective antigens, and the design of effective vaccines for the control of tick infestations and pathogen infection and transmission. Expert commentary: In the near future, the application of reverse proteomics, immunoproteomics, structural proteomics, and interactomics among other proteomics approaches will likely contribute to improve vaccine design to control multiple tick species with the ultimate goal of controlling tick-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margarita Villar
- a Sabio. Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM , Ciudad Real , Spain
| | - Anabel Marina
- b Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa CBM-SO (CSIC-UAM) , Cantoblanco , Spain
| | - José de la Fuente
- a Sabio. Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM , Ciudad Real , Spain.,c Department of Veterinary Pathobiology , Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University , Stillwater , OK , USA
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Mapholi NO, Maiwashe A, Matika O, Riggio V, Bishop SC, MacNeil MD, Banga C, Taylor JF, Dzama K. Genome-wide association study of tick resistance in South African Nguni cattle. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2016; 7:487-97. [PMID: 26897394 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2016.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2015] [Revised: 01/21/2016] [Accepted: 02/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Ticks and tick-borne diseases are among the main causes of economic loss in the South African cattle industry through high morbidity and mortality rates. Concerns of the general public regarding chemical residues may tarnish their perceptions of food safety and environmental health when the husbandry of cattle includes frequent use of acaricides to manage ticks. The primary objective of this study was to identify single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers associated with host resistance to ticks in South African Nguni cattle. Tick count data were collected monthly from 586 Nguni cattle reared in four herds under natural grazing conditions over a period of two years. The counts were recorded for six species of ticks attached in eight anatomical locations on the animals and were summed by species and anatomical location. This gave rise to 63 measured phenotypes or traits, with results for 12 of these traits being reported here. Tick count (x) data were transformed using log10(x+1) and the resulting values were examined for normality. DNA was extracted from hair and blood samples and was genotyped using the Illumina BovineSNP50 assay. After quality control (call rate >90%, minor allele frequency >0.02), 40,436 SNPs were retained for analysis. Genetic parameters were estimated and association analysis for tick resistance was carried out using two approaches: a genome-wide association (GWA) analysis using the GenABEL package and a regional heritability mapping (RHM) analysis. The Bonferroni genome-wide (P<0.05) corrected significance threshold was 1.24×10(-6), with 2.47×10(-5) as the suggestive significance threshold (P<0.10) (i.e., one false positive per genome scan) in the GWA analysis. Likelihood ratio test (LRT) thresholds for genome-wide and suggestive significance were 13.5 and 9.15 for the RHM analysis. Six ixodid tick species were identified, with Amblyomma hebraeum (the vector for Heartwater disease) being the dominant species. Heritability estimates (h(2)) from the fitted animal and sire models ranged from 0.02±0.00 to 0.17±0.04 for the transformed tick count data. Several genomic regions harbouring quantitative trait loci (QTL) were identified for different tick count traits by both the GWA and RHM approaches. Three genome-wide significant regions on chromosomes 7, 10 and 19 were identified for total tick count on the head, total body A. hebraeum tick count and total A. hebraeum on the perineum region, respectively. Additional regions significant at the suggestive level were identified on chromosomes 1, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19 and 26 for several of the traits. The GWA approach identified more genomic regions than did the RHM approach. The chromosomal regions identified here as harbouring QTL underlying variation in tick burden form the basis for further analyses to identify specific candidate genes and polymorphisms related to cattle tick resistance and provide the potential for marker-assisted selection in Nguni cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- N O Mapholi
- Agricultural Research Council, Private Bag X2, Irene 0062, South Africa; Department of Animal Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa.
| | - A Maiwashe
- Agricultural Research Council, Private Bag X2, Irene 0062, South Africa; University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa
| | - O Matika
- The Roslin Institute and R(D)SVS, University of Edinburgh, UK
| | - V Riggio
- The Roslin Institute and R(D)SVS, University of Edinburgh, UK
| | - S C Bishop
- The Roslin Institute and R(D)SVS, University of Edinburgh, UK
| | - M D MacNeil
- Agricultural Research Council, Private Bag X2, Irene 0062, South Africa; University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa; Delta G, 145 Ice Cave Road, Miles City, MT 59301, USA
| | - C Banga
- Agricultural Research Council, Private Bag X2, Irene 0062, South Africa
| | - J F Taylor
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, 920 East Campus Drive, Columbia, MO 65211-5300, USA
| | - K Dzama
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa.
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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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Cardoso FF, Gomes CCG, Sollero BP, Oliveira MM, Roso VM, Piccoli ML, Higa RH, Yokoo MJ, Caetano AR, Aguilar I. Genomic prediction for tick resistance in Braford and Hereford cattle. J Anim Sci 2016; 93:2693-705. [PMID: 26115257 DOI: 10.2527/jas.2014-8832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the main animal health problems in tropical and subtropical cattle production is the bovine tick, which causes decreased performance, hide devaluation, increased production costs with acaricide treatments, and transmission of infectious diseases. This study investigated the utility of genomic prediction as a tool to select Braford (BO) and Hereford (HH) cattle resistant to ticks. The accuracy and bias of different methods for direct and blended genomic prediction was assessed using 10,673 tick counts obtained from 3,435 BO and 928 HH cattle belonging to the Delta G Connection breeding program. A subset of 2,803 BO and 652 HH samples were genotyped and 41,045 markers remained after quality control. Log transformed records were adjusted by a pedigree repeatability model to estimate variance components, genetic parameters, and breeding values (EBV) and subsequently used to obtain deregressed EBV. Estimated heritability and repeatability for tick counts were 0.19 ± 0.03 and 0.29 ± 0.01, respectively. Data were split into 5 subsets using k-means and random clustering for cross-validation of genomic predictions. Depending on the method, direct genomic value (DGV) prediction accuracies ranged from 0.35 with Bayes least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) to 0.39 with BayesB for k-means clustering and between 0.42 with BayesLASSO and 0.45 with BayesC for random clustering. All genomic methods were superior to pedigree BLUP (PBLUP) accuracies of 0.26 for k-means and 0.29 for random groups, with highest accuracy gains obtained with BayesB (39%) for k-means and BayesC (55%) for random groups. Blending of historical phenotypic and pedigree information by different methods further increased DGV accuracies by values between 0.03 and 0.05 for direct prediction methods. However, highest accuracy was observed with single-step genomic BLUP with values of 0.48 for -means and 0.56, which represent, respectively, 84 and 93% improvement over PBLUP. Observed random clustering cross-validation breed-specific accuracies ranged between 0.29 and 0.36 for HH and between 0.55 and 0.61 for BO, depending on the blending method. These moderately high values for BO demonstrate that genomic predictions could be used as a practical tool to improve genetic resistance to ticks and in the development of resistant lines of this breed. For HH, accuracies are still in the low to moderate side and this breed training population needs to be increased before genomic selection could be reliably applied to improve tick resistance.
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de la Fuente J, Contreras M. Tick vaccines: current status and future directions. Expert Rev Vaccines 2015; 14:1367-76. [DOI: 10.1586/14760584.2015.1076339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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Brites-Neto J, Duarte KMR, Martins TF. Tick-borne infections in human and animal population worldwide. Vet World 2015; 8:301-15. [PMID: 27047089 PMCID: PMC4774835 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.301-315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2014] [Revised: 01/20/2015] [Accepted: 01/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The abundance and activity of ectoparasites and its hosts are affected by various abiotic factors, such as climate and other organisms (predators, pathogens and competitors) presenting thus multiples forms of association (obligate to facultative, permanent to intermittent and superficial to subcutaneous) developed during long co-evolving processes. Ticks are ectoparasites widespread globally and its eco epidemiology are closely related to the environmental conditions. They are obligatory hematophagous ectoparasites and responsible as vectors or reservoirs at the transmission of pathogenic fungi, protozoa, viruses, rickettsia and others bacteria during their feeding process on the hosts. Ticks constitute the second vector group that transmit the major number of pathogens to humans and play a role primary for animals in the process of diseases transmission. Many studies on bioecology of ticks, considering the information related to their population dynamics, to the host and the environment, comes possible the application and efficiency of tick control measures in the prevention programs of vector-borne diseases. In this review were considered some taxonomic, morphological, epidemiological and clinical fundamental aspects related to the tick-borne infections that affect human and animal populations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Keila Maria Roncato Duarte
- Department of Genetics and Animal Reproduction, Institute of Animal Science, Nova Odessa, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Thiago Fernandes Martins
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Manjunathachar HV, Saravanan BC, Kesavan M, Karthik K, Rathod P, Gopi M, Tamilmahan P, Balaraju BL. Economic importance of ticks and their effective control strategies. ASIAN PACIFIC JOURNAL OF TROPICAL DISEASE 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/s2222-1808(14)60725-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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