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Ectoparasites of dogs (Canis familiaris) from northeastern Nigeria: an epidemiological study

Jajere SM, Lawal JR, Shittu A, Waziri I, Goni MD, Fasina FO

Parasitol Res, 2023 Feb;122(2):675-684.
PMID: 36504395 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07748-5

Ectoparasites of dogs represent an important group of parasites. They often suck blood, cause pruritis, and could serve as vectors of many pathogens of veterinary and public health importance. In northeastern Nigeria, there is a lack of data regarding ectoparasites of dogs. Therefore, this study was undertaken to explore the external parasites of dogs and the associated epidemiological risk factors. A total of 1041 dogs (mean age = 8.5 ± 2.1 months) from residential house visit (54.9%) and those attending veterinary clinic (45.1%) were sampled in northeastern Nigeria. Multivariate logistic regression analysis assessed epidemiological risk factors associated with canine ectoparasitic infections. Of the 1041 dogs screened, 92.5% (963/1047) harbored one or more ectoparasites. Rhipicephalus sanguineus (52.4%), Linognathus setosus (7.8%), Ctenocephalides canis (2.3%), and Otodectes cynotis canis (1.4%) were the significantly encountered tick, lice, fleas, and mite species, respectively. Being female dog (OR = 1.8; p = 0.01), cross (OR = 2.2; p = 0.029), and exotic breeds (OR = 2.4; p = 0.02), 12 months (OR = 2.5; p = 0.03), and dogs used for hunting (OR = 3.2; p = 0.01) and as security guards (OR = 3.8; p = 0.01) were strongly associated with lice infestation. Results from this study revealed a high prevalence of external parasites parasitizing majority of the sampled dogs. Some of these parasites may serve as vectors of zoonotic pathogens posing public health risks.

Matched MeSH terms: Rhipicephalus sanguineus*
Survey on tick infestation in stray dogs in localities of Malaysia

Yan LY, Peng TL, Goni MD

Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports, 2024 Jan;47:100952.
PMID: 38199695 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2023.100952

The close relationship between dogs and humans has led to concerns regarding the transmission of zoonotic pathogens through ectoparasites such as ticks. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of ticks and the intensity on stray dogs with specific risk factors (size, sex, neutering status, body part). Additionally, identifying the predilection sites of ticks on stray dogs was crucial for developing an effective tick control program in Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 64 stray dogs from Kelantan and Selangor States. These dogs were subjected to integumentary examinations, collecting 431 ticks comprising Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. "tropical lineage" and Haemaphysalis bispinosa from 53 infested dogs. The overall occurrence of tick infestation was 82.81% (53/64), with an average intensity of 8.13 ticks (range: 1-17) per stray dog. All the potential risk factors considered in this study showed no statistically significant result (P value >0.05). The head, ear, and neck were the most preferred attachment sites for ticks. These findings underscore the importance of implementing tick control programs for stray dogs, which serve as reservoirs of ticks and tick-borne pathogens for owned dogs and humans.

Matched MeSH terms: Rhipicephalus sanguineus*
Detection of Babesia spp. in Dogs and Their Ticks From Peninsular Malaysia: Emphasis on Babesia gibsoni and Babesia vogeli Infections in Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (Acari: Ixodidae)

Prakash BK, Low VL, Vinnie-Siow WY, Tan TK, Lim YA, Morvarid AR, et al.

J Med Entomol, 2018 Aug 29;55(5):1337-1340.
PMID: 29762747 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjy072

Canine babesiosis is an emerging tick-borne disease with a worldwide distribution, including Malaysia. While the prevalence of Babesia has been documented from dogs in Malaysia, occurrence of Babesia has been relatively little studied in their tick vectors. Accordingly, a total of 240 dogs and 140 Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (s.l.) (Acari: Ixodidae) ticks from Malaysia were molecularly screened for the presence of Babesia protozoa in the present study. Babesia gibsoni was only detected in ticks (1.4%), whereas Babesia vogeli was detected in both ticks (1.4%) and dogs (2.1%). This study highlights the detection of B. gibsoni and B. vogeli for the first time, in both adult and nymphal stages of R. sanguineus s.l. in Malaysia, suggesting the potential role of this tick species in transmitting canine babesiosis.

Matched MeSH terms: Rhipicephalus sanguineus/parasitology*
First genetic characterization of the brown dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato in Peninsular Malaysia

Low VL, Prakash BK

Exp Appl Acarol, 2018 Jul;75(3):299-307.
PMID: 30066112 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-018-0279-2

The brown dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (s.l.) is a species complex comprising three main mitochondrial lineages, namely tropical, temperate and southeast European lineages. Despite its medical and veterinary importance, little attention has been paid to the genetic lineage of this species in Southeast Asia. Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. from Malaysia was investigated genetically, for the first time, using the mitochondria-encoded cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and 16S ribosomal RNA (16S) genes. Specifically, a pair of primers was developed to amplify the COI sequences in the present study. Both genes unambiguously assigned Malaysian material into the tropical lineage of R. sanguineus s.l. The 16S sequences were highly conserved; no variation site was observed. The COI sequences revealed slightly higher variation by recovering four haplotypes, one of which is restricted to the northernmost of Peninsular Malaysia. This finding will be a stepping stone in promoting more biological studies of this species complex in this region.

Matched MeSH terms: Rhipicephalus sanguineus/classification; Rhipicephalus sanguineus/genetics*
Detection of Hepatozoon canis in the Brown Dog Tick and Domestic Dogs in Peninsular Malaysia

Prakash BK, Low VL, Tan TK, Vinnie-Siow WY, Lim YA, Morvarid AR, et al.

J Med Entomol, 2018 Aug 29;55(5):1346-1348.
PMID: 29788335 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjy081

Hepatozoon canis has been widely reported in dogs. Its prevalence in ticks, however, has not been well-established. Here we determine the occurrence of Hepatozoon DNA in the brown dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille) (Acari: Ixodidae) sensu lato (s.l.) and domestic dogs from Peninsular Malaysia using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay based on amplification of the 18S ribosomal RNA coding sequence. Our results revealed a relatively low prevalence of H. canis DNA in both R. sanguineus s.l. (0.7%) and dogs (3.33%). This study represents the first report of H. canis DNA in R. sanguineus s.l. in Malaysia, highlighting the risk of this infection in dogs.

Matched MeSH terms: Rhipicephalus sanguineus/parasitology*; Rhipicephalus sanguineus/chemistry
Vector-Borne Diseases in Stray Dogs in Peninsular Malaysia and Molecular Detection of Anaplasma and Ehrlichia spp. from Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Acari: Ixodidae) Ticks

Koh FX, Panchadcharam C, Tay ST

J Med Entomol, 2016 Jan;53(1):183-7.
PMID: 26494821 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjv153

Little data are available on the prevalence and transmission of vector-borne diseases in stray dogs in Peninsular Malaysia. This study was designed to determine the occurrence of vector-borne pathogens in Malaysian stray dogs using serological and molecular approaches. In total, 48 dog blood samples were subjected to serological analysis using SNAP 4Dx kit (IDEXX Laboratories, Westbrook, ME). The presence of Ehrlichia and Anaplasma DNA in the dog blood samples and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille) ticks was detected using nested polymerase chain reaction assays. Positive serological findings against Ehrlichia canis and Anaplasma phagocytophilum were obtained in 17 (39.5%) and four (9.3%) of 43 dog samples, respectively. None of the dog blood samples were positive for Borrelia burgdorferi and Dirofilaria immitis. DNA of E. canis and A. phagocytophilum was detected in 12 (25.5%) and two (4.3%) of 47 dog blood samples, and 17 (51.5%) and one (3.0%) of 33 R. sanguineus ticks, respectively. Additionally, DNA of Ehrlichia spp. closely related to Ehrlichia chaffeensis was detected in two (6.1%) R. sanguineus ticks. This study highlights the prevalence of anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis in dogs in Malaysia. Due to the zoonotic potential of Ehrlichia and Anaplasma spp., appropriate measures should be instituted for prevention and control of vector-borne diseases in dogs.

Matched MeSH terms: Rhipicephalus sanguineus/microbiology*
Detection of Anaplasmataceae agents and co-infection with other tick-borne protozoa in dogs and Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato ticks

Low VL, Prakash BK, Lim YA, Tan TK, Vinnie-Siow WY, Sofian-Azirun M, et al.

Exp Appl Acarol, 2018 Aug;75(4):429-435.
PMID: 30073430 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-018-0280-9

Anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis are of serious health concern worldwide for animals and humans. In the present study, we report the occurrence of Anaplasma platys and Ehrlichia canis in dogs and Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (s.l.) ticks from Peninsular Malaysia using a nested polymerase chain reaction assay based on amplification of the 16S rRNA gene. Anaplasma platys was detected from dogs and ticks with prevalence rates of 3.3% (8/240) and 2.9% (4/140), respectively. On the other hand, 12.9% (31/240) of the dogs and 0.7% (1/140) of the ticks were tested positive for E. canis. Additionally, co-infections of A. platys and E. canis with Babesia or Hepatozoon protozoa were also noted in this study. Double infection (E. canis + B. gibsoni) was observed in tick, whereas triple infections (E. canis + A. platys + B. vogeli and E. canis + A. platys + H. canis) were found in dogs. This study represents the first evidence of A. platys DNA in R. sanguineus s.l. in Malaysia.

Matched MeSH terms: Rhipicephalus sanguineus
Fulltext Molecular screening for Rickettsia, Anaplasmataceae and Coxiella burnetii in Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks from Malaysia

Watanabe M, Nakao R, Amin-Babjee SM, Maizatul AM, Youn JH, Qiu Y, et al.

Trop Biomed, 2015 Jun;32(2):390-8.
PMID: 26691268 MyJurnal

A total of 44 Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks collected from 23 dogs from Malaysia were screened for Rickettsia, Anaplasmataceae and Coxiella burnetii. Coxiella burnetii was detected in 59% (26/44) of ticks however Rickettsia and Anaplasmataceae were not detected in any of the ticks. In order to genotype the strains of C. burnetii, multispacer sequence typing (MST) was carried out using three different spacers. One of the spacers; Cox2 successfully amplified a fragment for which the full length sequence of 397 bp was obtained. The sequenced product revealed only a single nucleotide difference with the Cox2.3 type sequence.

Matched MeSH terms: Rhipicephalus sanguineus/microbiology*
Molecular detection of tick-borne haemopathogens in shelter dogs and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (sensu lato) ticks from Peninsular Malaysia

Sipin Q, Mustaffa Kamal F, Watanabe M, Megat Abdul Rani PA, Low VL, Abdul Aziz NA

Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis, 2020 Dec;73:101563.
PMID: 33120297 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2020.101563

Ticks are important vectors in transmitting various pathogens and they could jeopardize the health and welfare of humans and animals worldwide. The present study aimed to investigate the presence of important tick-borne haemopathogens (TBH) in dogs and ticks via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. A total of 220 blood samples and 140 ticks were collected from 10 animal shelters in Peninsular Malaysia. Of 220 blood samples, 77 (35 %) were positive to TBH, of which 20 % were E. canis, 12 % were A. platys, 7 % were B. gibsoni and 7 % were B. vogeli. All ticks were identified as Rhipicephalus sanguineus with five samples (3.57 %) positive with TBH. Co-infections of TBH (0.45-9.55 %) in dogs were also observed in this study.

Matched MeSH terms: Rhipicephalus sanguineus/microbiology*
Genetic variability of Ehrlichia canis TRP36 in ticks, dogs, and red foxes from Eurasia

Bezerra-Santos MA, Nguyen VL, Iatta R, Manoj RRS, Latrofa MS, Hodžić A, et al.

Vet Microbiol, 2021 Apr;255:109037.
PMID: 33740731 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2021.109037

Ehrlichia canis is among the most prevalent tick-borne pathogens infecting dogs worldwide, being primarily vectored by brown dog ticks, Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (s.l.). The genetic variability of E. canis has been assessed by analysis of different genes (e.g., disulfide bond formation protein gene, glycoprotein 19, tandem repeat protein 36 - TRP36) in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and in a single dog sample from Europe (i.e., Spain). This study was aimed to assess the variations in the TRP36 gene of E. canis detected in naturally infected canids and R. sanguineus s.l. ticks from different countries in Asia and Europe. DNA samples from dogs (n = 644), foxes (n = 146), and R. sanguineus s.l. ticks (n = 658) from Austria, Italy, Iran, Pakistan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Taiwan were included in this study. Ehrlichia canis 16S rRNA positive samples (n = 115 from the previous studies; n = 14 from Austria in this study) were selected for molecular examination by analyses of TRP36 gene. Out of 129 E. canis 16S rRNA positive samples from dogs (n = 88), foxes (n = 7), and R. sanguineus s.l. ticks (n = 34), the TRP36 gene was successfully amplified from 52. The phylogenetic analysis of the TRP36 pre-repeat, tandem repeat, and post repeat regions showed that most samples were genetically close to the United States genogroup, whereas two samples from Austria and one from Pakistan clustered within the Taiwan genogroup. TRP36 sequences from all samples presented a high conserved nucleotide sequence in the tandem repeat region (from 6 to 20 copies), encoding for nine amino acids (i.e., TEDSVSAPA). Our results confirm the US genogroup as the most frequent group in dogs and ticks tested herein, whereas the Taiwan genogroup was present in a lower frequency. Besides, this study described for the first time the US genogroup in red foxes, thus revealing that these canids share identical strains with domestic dogs and R. sanguineus s.l. ticks.

Matched MeSH terms: Rhipicephalus sanguineus/microbiology*
Fulltext Acariasis on pet Burmese python, Python molurus bivittatus in Malaysia

Mariana A, Vellayan S, Halimaton I, Ho TM

Asian Pac J Trop Med, 2011 Mar;4(3):227-8.
PMID: 21771459 DOI: 10.1016/S1995-7645(11)60075-8

OBJECTIVE: To identify the acari present on pet Burmese pythons in Malaysia and to determine whether there is any potential public health risk related to handling of the snakes.
METHODS: Two sub-adult Burmese pythons kept as pets for a period of about 6 to 7 months by different owners, were brought to an exotic animal practice for treatment. On a complete medical examination, some ticks and mites (acari) were detected beneath the dorsal and ventral scales along body length of the snakes. Ticks were directly identified and mites were mounted prior to identification.
RESULTS: A total of 12 ticks represented by 3 males, 2 females and 7 nymphal stages of Rhipicephalus sanguineus (R. sanguineus) were extracted from the first python while the other one was with 25 female Ophionyssus natricis (O. natricis) mesostigmatid mites. Only adult female mites were found. These mites are common ectoparasites of Burmese pythons.
CONCLUSIONS: Both the acarine species found on the Burmese pythons are known vectors of pathogens. This is the first record that R. sanguineus has been reported from a pet Burmese python in Malaysia.

Matched MeSH terms: Rhipicephalus sanguineus