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Kabi F, Contreras M, Semakula J, Sánchez-Sánchez M, Muñoz-Hernández C, Mugerwa S, Kasaija P, Kirunda H, de la Fuente G, Fernández-Melgar R, Rafael M, Fernández de Mera IG, Matovu M, Kyakuwa I, Dhikusooka M, Nsereko G, Boma P, Bugeza J, Moses M, Namukasa A, Obonyo P, Ssekabunga N, Adyero OE, Rutaisire J, Gortazar C, de la Fuente J. Evaluation of effectiveness and safety of Subolesin anti-tick vaccine in Ugandan multi-site field trial. NPJ Vaccines 2024; 9:174. [PMID: 39294184 PMCID: PMC11410822 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-024-00966-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 09/11/2024] [Indexed: 09/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Vaccines are the most effective and sustainable intervention to control ticks and tick-borne diseases (TBD). Using a personalized vaccine design based on regional tick genotypes, a Rhipicephalus appendiculatus Subolesin protective antigen was used in a field trial evaluating tick vaccine efficacy, effectiveness, and safety in cattle infested with multiple tick species in different Ugandan agro-ecological zones. Vaccination with SUB was safe with a protective capacity against anemia and infection, and reduced the number of infested cattle, tick fitness (feeding and reproduction) with vaccine effectiveness against multiple tick species between 93.2% at 167-196 days post-vaccination (dpv) and 61.4% at 251-327 dpv. Total integrated vaccine efficacy/effectiveness was estimated as 98.8%. The Subolesin-based vaccine is protective against multiple cattle tick infestations under field conditions in Uganda. These results support registration and commercialization of the vaccine to reduce tick populations and associated risks for human and animal TBD and chemical acaracides in Uganda.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fredrick Kabi
- National Livestock Resources Research Institute (NaLIRRI), National Agricultural Research Organization, Kampala, Uganda.
| | - 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), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Jimmy Semakula
- National Livestock Resources Research Institute (NaLIRRI), National Agricultural Research Organization, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Marta Sánchez-Sánchez
- 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), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Clara Muñoz-Hernández
- 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), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Swidiq Mugerwa
- National Livestock Resources Research Institute (NaLIRRI), National Agricultural Research Organization, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Paul Kasaija
- National Livestock Resources Research Institute (NaLIRRI), National Agricultural Research Organization, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Halid Kirunda
- Mbarara Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mbarara ZARDI), National Agricultural Research Organization, Mbarara City, Uganda
| | - Gabriela de la Fuente
- Sabiotec, Edificio incubadora de empresas UCLM, Camino de Moledores s/n, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Rubén Fernández-Melgar
- 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), Ciudad Real, Spain
- Sabiotec, Edificio incubadora de empresas UCLM, Camino de Moledores s/n, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Marta Rafael
- 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), Ciudad Real, Spain
- Sabiotec, Edificio incubadora de empresas UCLM, Camino de Moledores s/n, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Isabel G Fernández de Mera
- 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), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Moses Matovu
- National Livestock Resources Research Institute (NaLIRRI), National Agricultural Research Organization, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Ivan Kyakuwa
- National Livestock Resources Research Institute (NaLIRRI), National Agricultural Research Organization, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Moses Dhikusooka
- National Livestock Resources Research Institute (NaLIRRI), National Agricultural Research Organization, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Godfrey Nsereko
- National Livestock Resources Research Institute (NaLIRRI), National Agricultural Research Organization, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Paul Boma
- Nabuin ZARDI, 9HQG+5R7 Lorengdwat road, Lorengedwat, Uganda
| | - James Bugeza
- National Livestock Resources Research Institute (NaLIRRI), National Agricultural Research Organization, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Mwesigwa Moses
- National Livestock Resources Research Institute (NaLIRRI), National Agricultural Research Organization, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Philip Obonyo
- Uganda government prison farm, 3FJ7+PCH, Kiburara, Uganda
| | - Nicholas Ssekabunga
- Mbarara Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mbarara ZARDI), National Agricultural Research Organization, Mbarara City, Uganda
| | | | - Justus Rutaisire
- National Livestock Resources Research Institute (NaLIRRI), National Agricultural Research Organization, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Christian Gortazar
- 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), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - 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), Ciudad Real, Spain.
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA.
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Bose B, Kumar SS. Dairy Farmers' Awareness of Vector-Borne Zoonotic Diseases: A Pilot Study. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2024; 24:597-599. [PMID: 38775120 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2023.0132] [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] [Indexed: 09/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: A quantitative cross-sectional pilot study was conducted to determine dairy farmers' general awareness of vector-borne zoonotic diseases, i.e., dengue fever and chikungunya fever caused by alphavirus and mosquito-borne flavivirus, as well as the relationship between these and other demographic variables such as gender and education level. Materials and Methods: A total of 42 farmers from the Wayanad district of Kerala were surveyed using a well-structured KAP (Knowledge, Attitude and Practice) questionnaire. Results: The study revealed that farmers have inadequate knowledge and attitudes regarding chikungunya, as well as inadequate practices regarding dengue fever. Similarly, there is a significant correlation between gender and chikungunya fever awareness. Conclusion: The study emphasizes the need to increase awareness of these diseases among dairy farmers and emphasizes the significance of conducting additional research on the area and population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bibin Bose
- Department of Social Sciences, School of Social Sciences and Languages, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - S Siva Kumar
- Department of Social Sciences, School of Social Sciences and Languages, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
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de la Fuente J, Ghosh S. Evolution of tick vaccinology. Parasitology 2024:1-8. [PMID: 38586999 DOI: 10.1017/s003118202400043x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Ticks represent a major concern for society worldwide. Ticks are also difficult to control, and vaccines represent the most efficacious, safe, economically feasible and environmentally sustainable intervention. The evolution of tick vaccinology has been driven by multiple challenges such as (1) Ticks are difficult to control, (2) Vaccines control tick infestations by reducing ectoparasite fitness and reproduction, (3) Vaccine efficacy against multiple tick species, (4) Impact of tick strain genetic diversity on vaccine efficacy, (5) Antigen combination to improve vaccine efficacy, (6) Vaccine formulations and delivery platforms and (7) Combination of vaccines with transgenesis and paratransgenesis. Tick vaccine antigens evolved from organ protein extracts to recombinant proteins to chimera designed by vaccinomics and quantum vaccinomics. Future directions will advance in these areas together with other novel technologies such as multiomics, AI and Big Data, mRNA vaccines, microbiota-driven probiotics and vaccines, and combination of vaccines with other interventions in collaboration with regions with high incidence of tick infestations and tick-borne diseases for a personalized medicine approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- José de la Fuente
- SaBio. Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo 12, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Srikant Ghosh
- Entomology Laboratory, Parasitology Division, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar 243122, Bareilly, UP, India
- Eastern Regional Station- Indian Veterinary Research Institute, 37 Belgachia Road, Kolkata-700037, West Bengal, India
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Chakraborty S, Kopsco H, Evans C, Mateus-Pinilla N, Smith R. Assessing knowledge gaps and empowering Extension workers in Illinois with information on ticks and tickborne diseases through KAP surveys. Heliyon 2024; 10:e25789. [PMID: 38352775 PMCID: PMC10862665 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e25789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Tickborne diseases (TBDs) are increasingly prevalent in Illinois and the Upper Midwest region. People who work in occupations that require time outdoors in agricultural or natural settings, such as some Extension workers, are at risk of tick bites and TBDs. Additionally, Extension workers are often a primary source of information about ticks and TBDs in rural communities. However, there is limited information on the level of awareness about ticks and TBDs in the Extension community. The goals of this study were to sequentially i) determine the baseline awareness of Extension workers in Illinois about ticks and TBDs using a knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) survey tool, ii) provide comprehensive training on ticks and TBDs to this demographic, and iii) measure the uptake of knowledge after the training intervention through a post-training survey. The study period was from June 2022 until May 2023. We received 233 pre-training and 93 paired post-training survey responses. Most survey respondents were Extension volunteers, identified as women, and were over 50 years old. Knowledge about ticks and TBDs varied. We identified several gaps in their current tick awareness, most importantly, in tick prevention measures, tick identification, and TBDs in general. TBD knowledge, attitude, and practice scores all significantly improved after training (p < 0.001), with a mean difference of 10.47, 1.49, and 2.64 points, respectively. Additionally, both Extension professionals (79.2 %) and Extension volunteers (66.7 %) were more likely to feel confident in engaging with their stakeholders on ticks and TBDs after participating in training. Poisson models revealed that higher attitude and practice scores and greater self-reported knowledge were the factors most significantly associated with higher TBD knowledge. We found that greater concern for ticks and TBD (attitudes) and adherence to science-based prevention and management methods (practices) were also associated with higher knowledge scores. To our knowledge, this is the first study in Illinois to capture Extension workers' awareness of ticks and TBDs. The results highlight Extension workers' interest in filling knowledge gaps through learning, and the importance of training Extension workers to disseminate reliable and updated information on ticks and TBDs to their constituents, a critical step in preventing TBDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Chakraborty
- Program in Ecology, Evolution & Conservation Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign, 505 S Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - H. Kopsco
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology, Columbia University, 10th floor Schermerhorn Ext., 1200 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY, 10027, USA
- Prairie Research Institute, Illinois Natural History Survey, University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign, 1816 S Oak, Champaign, IL, 61820, USA
| | - C. Evans
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign, 354 State Highway 145 N, Simpson, IL, 62985, USA
| | - N. Mateus-Pinilla
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign, 354 State Highway 145 N, Simpson, IL, 62985, USA
- Prairie Research Institute, Illinois Natural History Survey, University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign, 1816 S Oak, Champaign, IL, 61820, USA
| | - R.L. Smith
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign, 2001 S Lincoln Ave, Urbana, IL, 61802, USA
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