Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 26 in total

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  1. Metazoan parasites of dogs in Sabah, Malaysia
    MacAdam I, Gudan D, Timbs DV, Urquhart HR, Sewell MM
    Trop Anim Health Prod, 1984 Feb;16(1):34-8.
    PMID: 6730003
    The parasites which occurred most frequently in 175 owned or stray dogs in Sabah were Ancylostoma spp. present in 68% of the animals. Dirofilaria immitis occurred in 70% of the adult dogs but neither D. immitis nor Spirocerca lupi were present in puppies under four months of age. The latter attained a prevalence of 30% in the adults. In contrast Toxocara canis occurred in 81% of the puppies but infrequently in older dogs. Dipylidium caninum was moderately prevalent (15 to 25%) in dogs of all ages. Ticks were the most common arthropod parasite being present on 26% of the dogs and were mainly Rhipicephalus sanguineus. Demodectic and sarcoptic mange were confirmed and fleas and lice were also recovered.
    Matched MeSH terms: Tick Infestations/veterinary
  2. A distinct Borrelia clade within the relapsing fever group from cat-infesting Haemaphysalis semermis Neumann 1901 (Acari: Ixodidae)
    Kazim AR, Heo CC, Shahrizal S, Er YX, Houssaini J, Veit A, et al.
    Vet Res Commun, 2024 Nov 15;49(1):6.
    PMID: 39546073 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-024-10591-x
    An undescribed relapsing fever group Borrelia species was detected in a male Haemaphysalis semermis tick infesting a rural cat in an indigenous population in Pahang National Park, Peninsular Malaysia. The 16 S rRNA gene sequence revealed close similarity of this variant to several undescribed Borrelia species and Borrelia theileri, with genetic distances ranging from 0.58 to 0.72%. Furthermore, the flaB, gyrB, and the concatenated 16 S rRNA + flaB + gyrB sequence analyses demonstrated that this variant is distinctly separated from multiple undescribed Borrelia species, Borrelia miyamotoi, and B. theileri, with genetic distances ranging from 3.41 to 7.00%. This study not only reports the first Borrelia found in H. semermis but also suggests that it forms a distinct clade within the relapsing fever group in Peninsular Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Tick Infestations/veterinary
  3. Amblyomma cordiferum Neumann, 1899 (Acari: Ixodidae) parasitizing reticulated pythons, Malayopython reticulatus (Schneider, 1801) (Reptilia: Pythonidae) in Peninsular Malaysia
    Tan LP, Choong SS, Samsuddin AS, Lee SH
    Ticks Tick Borne Dis, 2019 10;10(6):101285.
    PMID: 31494069 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.101285
    Two ticks were collected from a reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus) caught in Tumpat District, Kelantan, Peninsular Malaysia. The ticks were first identified as Ambylomma sp. through morphological comparison with identification keys. Determination of the tick species was made through PCR and sequencing. However, BLAST analysis revealed 85-88% sequence nucleotide identity with Amblyomma nitidum and Amblyomma geoemydae. Additionally, the morphological features of the ticks collected in this study did not match either A. nitidum or A. geoemydae. Further examination of the ticks confirmed the species as Amblyomma cordiferum. This is the first record of A. cordiferum DNA sequence with morphological support of colour illustrations for adult A. cordiferum. This is also the most recent record of this host association in Peninsular Malaysia. Information from this report can serve as a reference for species identification using the described morphology or molecular sequences.
    Matched MeSH terms: Tick Infestations/veterinary*
  4. Ectoparasites of small mammals in four localities of wildlife reserves in Peninsular Malaysia
    Madinah A, Fatimah A, Mariana A, Abdullah MT
    Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health, 2011 Jul;42(4):803-13.
    PMID: 22299462
    Field surveys of ectoparasites on rodents and scandents were conducted in four localities of wildlife reserves in Peninsular Malaysia from October 2008 to November 2009. A total of 16 animals comprising 5 species of hosts were caught and examined for ectoparasites. The hosts examined were Maxomys rajah, Maxomys whiteheadi, Leopoldamys sabanus, Lariscus insignis and Tupaia glis. Of these hosts, 9 genera, consisting of 14 species of ectoparasites were extracted. Three species of ticks (Ixodidae), 7 species of mesostigmatid mites (Laelaptidae), 3 species of chiggers (Trombiculidae) and 1 species of listrophorid mites (Listrophoriidae) were identified. The infestation rate of ectoparasites observed ranged from 12.5% to 62.5%. Among the ectoparasites found, Ixodes granulatus and Leptotrombidium deliense are of known medical importance.
    Matched MeSH terms: Tick Infestations/veterinary*
  5. A higher infection rate of Toxoplasma gondii in soft ticks infesting domestic hens: A novel report from Pakistan
    Khan B, Batool S, Shahnawaz S, Ullah S, Naeem M, Habiba U, et al.
    Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports, 2025 Jan;57:101147.
    PMID: 39855880 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2024.101147
    Ticks are the second most important hematophagous ectoparasites after mosquitoes and serve as vectors for various pathogens, transmitting them to wild and domestic animals, as well as humans. Argas persicus are the soft ticks that are known to parasitize domestic poultry. Hard ticks are known to be the reservoir of Toxoplasma (T.) gondii but limited such information is available for soft ticks. This study reports the molecular prevalence and phylogenetic analysis of T. gondii infecting Argas (A.) persicus ticks (N = 70), collected from four domestic poultry breeds in the Kurram District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, between June and August 2023. The results showed that 26 out of 70 (37 %) A. persicus samples tested positive for the ITS-1 gene of T. gondii. These findings were confirmed by the DNA sequencing and BLAST analysis of amplified amplicons. Phylogenetic analysis showed that Pakistani isolates were genetically diverse and clustered with isolates that were reported from birds and mammals from Pakistan, Tunisia, Malaysia, Brazil and Iraq. Risk factor analysis indicated that the prevalence of T. gondii was not associated with any specific poultry breed, sampling period, or the body temperature of the fowl hosts. Similarly parasite prevalence was not found associated with tick sex or their developmental stage but parasite infection rate varied with the feeding status of the ticks; highest T. gondii infection rate was observed in fully fed Argas persicus. In conclusion, this is the first report from Pakistan highlighting a high prevalence of T. gondii in A. persicus infesting domestic poultry suggesting a potential zoonotic risk to humans through the consumption of infected poultry. This data is confirming that in addition to oral ingestion of oocysts, T. gondii can be mechanically transmitted through soft ticks.
    Matched MeSH terms: Tick Infestations/veterinary
  6. Metarhizium anisopliae: current status and future in hard ticks control in Asia
    Azmi NFAM, Choong SS, Peng TL, Syazwan SA
    Trop Biomed, 2024 Dec 01;41(4):533-542.
    PMID: 39876512 DOI: 10.47665/tb.41.4.015
    Ticks exert a significant economic impact on the livestock industry, particularly in Asian regions. Presently, chemical acaricides constitute the primary method employed to combat tick infestations in livestock, but their use carries adverse environmental consequences. Overreliance on acaricides has contaminated milk and meat products with chemical residues while fostering tick resistance to these agents due to improper and intensive application. Various alternative methods have been explored, including using vaccines to manage tick populations. However, the efficacy of these treatments varies and is often limited when applied separately. Among these alternatives, entomopathogenic fungi like Metarhizium anisopliae appear to be a promising candidate for tick population control. This fungus can be used independently and in conjunction with other products. This review article explores the current and future prospects of M. anisopliae, where the existing gaps and future directives for using this fungus to control hard ticks in Asian countries are highlighted.
    Matched MeSH terms: Tick Infestations/veterinary
  7. The prevalence and intensity of Amblyomma javanense infestation on Malayan pangolins (Manis javanica Desmarest) from Peninsular Malaysia
    Hassan M, Sulaiman MH, Lian CJ
    Acta Trop, 2013 May;126(2):142-5.
    PMID: 23416121 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2013.02.001
    A parasitological survey of 16 pangolins, confiscated from the Department of Wildlife and Nature Park Peninsular Malaysia (DWNP) at Kelantan and Pulau Pinang, Malaysia was conducted in 2011. Amblyomma javanense (family: Ixodidae) was the only ectoparasite found on the pangolins. The prevalence, intensity and life cycle of A. javanense were observed together with the respective pangolins' age and sex. It was found that 68.8% of the pangolins were infected, and significant difference, χ(2)(1, N=16)=4.02, p=0.05 were observed with males higher in infestation (88.9%) as compared to the females (42.9%). However, the mean intensity was higher on females (72) as compared to males (31.6). In addition, significant difference, χ(2) (2, N=16)=6.73, p=0.05 was recorded between adults and juveniles with juveniles found to be 100% infected as compared to adult (63.6%). Nevertheless, the mean intensity was slightly higher on adults (47) than juveniles (35). Adult ticks were found in higher numbers as compared to the nymph and larvae with number of male ticks higher (236) as compared to the females (53). Similarly, a high significant difference χ(2)(2, N=469)=203.47, p=0.05 was recorded in the composition of the tick's life stages with a higher number of adult ticks (61.6%) followed by nymph (30.3%) and larvae (8.1%). As such, the results of this study revealed a picture of the A. javanense life cycle which is related to the age and gender of the Malayan Pangolin.
    Matched MeSH terms: Tick Infestations/veterinary*
  8. Five New Species of Guimaraesiella (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera) from Broadbills (Aves: Passeriformes: Calyptomenidae: Eurylaimidae)
    Gustafsson DR, Malysheva OD, Tolstenkov OO, Bush SE
    J Parasitol, 2019 12;105(6):846-857.
    PMID: 31730418
    Five new species of Guimaraesiella Eichler, 1949 are described and illustrated from hosts in the Eurylaimidae and Calyptomenidae. They are Guimaraesiella corydoni n. sp. from Corydon sumatranus laoensis Meyer de Schauensee, 1929 ; Guimaraesiella latirostris n. sp. from Eurylaimus ochromalus Raffles, 1822 ; Guimaraesiella cyanophoba n. sp. from Cymbirhynchus macrorhynchus malaccensis Salvadori, 1874 and C. m. siamensis Meyer de Schauensee and Ripley, 1940 ; Guimaraesiella altunai n. sp. from Calyptomena viridis caudacuta Swainson, 1838 ; and Guimaraesiella forcipata n. sp. from Eurylaimus steerii steerii Sharpe, 1876 . These represent the first species of Guimaraesiella described from the Calyptomenidae and Eurylaimidae, as well as the first species of this genus described from the Old World suboscines.
    Matched MeSH terms: Tick Infestations/veterinary*
  9. Fulltext Prevalence of canine ehrlichiosis in Perak State, peninsular Malaysia
    Rahman WA, Ning CH, Chandrawathani P
    Trop Biomed, 2010 Apr;27(1):13-8.
    PMID: 20562808 MyJurnal
    The Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test (IFAT) and thin blood smears were conducted to establish the prevalence of Ehrlichia canis infection in dogs presented for treatment by pet owners at five private and one government veterinary clinic. Results showed that 15% of the dogs were positive for the parasite via IFAT, but none using blood smears. However, infected dogs did not show severe clinical symptoms of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME).
    Matched MeSH terms: Tick Infestations/veterinary
  10. Fulltext A review of endoparasitic acarines of Malaysia with special reference to novel endoparasitism of mites in amphibious sea snakes and supplementary notes on ecology of chiggers
    Nadchatram M
    Trop Biomed, 2006 Jun;23(1):1-22.
    PMID: 17041547 MyJurnal
    Some 2,000 species of mites of the family Trombiculidae are known in the world. The 6-legged larvae are mostly ectoparasites of reptiles, birds, mammals and invertebrates. Their 8-legged active nymphs and adults are free-living predators. In the Asia-Pacific region, a few species in various genera are vectors of scrub typhus and scrub-itch. In this a paper, a very bizarre trombiculid species, Vatacarus ipoides Southcott 1957, endoparasitic in the trachea of the amphibious sea snake, Laticauda colubrina (Schenider) is re-described based mostly on new-born larvae reared in the laboratory. Life history study of the mite produced very novel and interesting results. A brief account of the life-cycle was presented at the first laboratory demonstration of the Malaysian Society of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine Meeting by Nadchatram and Audy (1965). The life history is illustrated and described here in greater detail. The active nymphal, and the akinetic teleiophane stages are bypassed, which is unusual in the life-cycle of the family Trombiculidae. Also, the larva is the only stage in the life-cycle that feeds. The sexes are predetermined in the larval neosomatic stage and give rise to small males and bigger females. Having obtained adults of the species, by rearing, it is deemed unnecessary for the original proposal by Southcott to erect a new family, Vatacaridae, because the adults share all the attributes of the family Trombiculidae. The male and female obtained through laboratory rearing are illustrated for the first time. Relationship of V. ipoides with Laticauda snakes show close host-specificity, in a group of acarines that are generally habitat-specific. Possible explanations for their association are discussed. The unusual morphology and the formation of new structures during an instar is of ontogenetic and evolutionary importance. The hypertrophic larvae are superficially vermiform, rather than typically acarine in shape. This, and other biological features, necessitated the proposal of new morphological terms, and they are discussed here.
    Matched MeSH terms: Tick Infestations/veterinary
  11. Evidence of natural infections with Trypanosoma, Anaplasma and Babesia spp. in military livestock from Tunisia
    Selmi R, Dhibi M, Ben Said M, Ben Yahia H, Abdelaali H, Ameur H, et al.
    Trop Biomed, 2019 Sep 01;36(3):742-757.
    PMID: 33597496
    Livestock constitute habitual hosts and carriers for several infectious pathogens which may represent a serious public health concern affecting the readiness of military forces and lead to wide economic losses. The present report aimed to investigate the prevalence of some haemopathogens infecting military livestock, particularly, dromedaries, sheep and horses using Giemsa-stained blood smears. A total of 300 animals (100 from each species) were selected, clinically examined and sampled. Trypanosoma spp. (22.0%), Anaplasma spp. (17.0%) and Babesia spp. (1.0%) were identified in camels' blood. Six dromedaries were found to be co-infected by Trypanosoma and Anaplasma organisms (6.0%). Camels of female gender, infested by ticks and showing clinical signs were statistically more infected by Trypanosoma spp., compared to those of male gender, free of ticks and apparently healthy (P= 0.027, 0.000 and 0.004, respectively). Babesia spp. infection (1.0%) was identified, for the first time in Tunisia, in one adult female camel that presented abortion and anemia. Anaplasma spp. was the only haemopathogen identified in examined sheep (6.0%) and horses (17.0%). Horses infested by Hippobosca equina flies and sheep infested by Rhipicephalus turanicus ticks were more infected by Anaplasma spp. than other non-infested animals (P=0.046 and 0.042, respectively). Hyalomma dromedarii, H. impeltatum and H. excavatum were the most prevalent diagnosed ticks removed from camels with an intensity of infestation of 1.2 ticks per animal. However, in sheep, only R. turanicus was identified. H. equina and Tabanus spp. were the potential hematophagous flies found in dromedaries and horses herds. This useful data must be taken into consideration during animal treatment and vectors' control programs in Tunisian military farms which help to limit the diffusion of vector-borne diseases, keep our livestock healthy and reduce economic losses.
    Matched MeSH terms: Tick Infestations/veterinary
  12. Histopathological Investigation of Skin and Hides Damage of Small and Large Ruminants due to Naturally Infested Ticks
    Saleem MZ, Akhtar R, Aslam A, Rashid MI
    Trop Biomed, 2019 Dec 01;36(4):1081-1086.
    PMID: 33597477
    Ticks are important ectoparasites which transmit many disease pathogen to animals; these are labelled tick borne diseases (TBD). Tick induced damage to skin and hides has not received attention. Skin and hides are important for the leather product industry, particularly in Pakistan. Due to economic importance and financial loss by ticks in leather industry, the present study was designed to investigate skin and hides damage due to ticks at microscopic level. Naturally tick infested tissue samples of hides and skin were collected from slaughter houses. Primary lesions at tick feeding sites showed epidermal edema with adjacent dermal edema. Histopathological examination revealed degeneration of epidermal layer down to the basal layer. Epidermal and sub dermal layers often displayed focal necrosis infiltrated with neutrophils and mononuclear cells at tick bite sites. Hyperplasia of keratinocytes was also seen at sites of ruptured epidermis. Quality of leather depends upon the grain (Outer) surface skin/hides. Ticks infestation damages the outer surface, due to bites, inflammatory responses, and secondary bacterial infections that often become established at feeding sites. Control of ticks should be given consideration to reduce infestation induced losses in the leather industry in Pakistan.
    Matched MeSH terms: Tick Infestations/veterinary*
  13. A survey of bat ectoparasites in West Malaysia
    Beck AJ
    J Med Entomol, 1971 Jul 30;8(2):147-52.
    PMID: 5157835
    Matched MeSH terms: Tick Infestations/veterinary
  14. Ticks and tick-borne pathogens in ruminant farms of Peninsular Malaysia: First molecular evidence of Borrelia theileri in Rhipicephalus microplus (Acari: Ixodidae)
    Kazim AR, Low VL, Houssaini J, Tappe D, Heo CC
    Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports, 2024 Nov;56:101145.
    PMID: 39550195 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2024.101145
    To shed light on the importance of tick-borne diseases, especially in farm animals that often contact with farm workers, this study aimed to identify ticks and tick-borne pathogens in ruminants in Malaysia. Accordingly, specimen collection was conducted across Peninsular Malaysia yielded a total of 1241 ticks collected from 674 farm ruminants. Among these, four tick species were identified, with Rhipicephalus microplus being the most prevalent, constituting 99.03 % of the total tick population. Analysis of 130 tick pools revealed three positives for Borrelia. BLAST analyses of the flaB and 16S rRNA genes revealed high similarities to Borrelia theileri, ranging from 98.78 to 100 % for flaB and 99.23-99.45 % for 16S rRNA. These results align with the phylogenetic trees, where sequences from both genes clustered together with B. theileri, further supporting this identification. No Rickettsia and Bartonella bacteria were detected. This study represents the first occurrence of B. theileri in R. microplus in Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Tick Infestations/veterinary
  15. New host record and redescription of Amblyomma cordiferum nymphs and larvae infesting Malaysian house rats (Rattus rattus diardii) in Peninsular Malaysia, with molecular evidence of Rickettsia, Borrelia, and Bartonella
    Kazim AR, Nasir DM, Tan TK, Yin VW, Noh AAM, Heo CC, et al.
    Acta Trop, 2025 Jan;261:107496.
    PMID: 39667694 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107496
    Nymphal and larval Amblyomma cordiferum ticks, a relatively rare species, were collected from the Malaysian house rat (Rattus rattus diardii) in Peninsular Malaysia. Redescription and molecular analysis of nymphs and larvae, based on the 12S rRNA, 16S rRNA, and COI genes, revealed divergence from A. cordiferum in Taiwan, suggesting that the Taiwanese tick specimens may represent a different taxon. Molecular analysis of the pathogens in these specimens revealed three sequences of Rickettsia closely related or identical to Rickettsia raoultii (99.71-100%), two sequences of relapsing fever Borrelia identical to Borrelia theileri, and four sequences of Bartonella identical to Bartonella phoceensis. This study also identifies a new host record for A. cordiferum in R. r. diardii and reports the first detection of Rickettsia, Borrelia, and Bartonella in this tick species.
    Matched MeSH terms: Tick Infestations/veterinary
  16. Molecular screening of Babesia, Hepatozoon, and Theileria (Apicomplexa: Piroplasmida) in ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) infesting farm ruminants in Peninsular Malaysia
    Kazim AR, Low VL, Houssaini J, Tappe D, Heo CC
    Trop Biomed, 2024 Dec 01;41(4):392-398.
    PMID: 39876494 DOI: 10.47665/tb.41.S.002
    Ticks are obligate hematophagous arachnids that feed on both humans and animals. Despite the extensive research on detection of bacteria in ixodid ticks in Malaysia, there remains limited knowledge about the detection of protozoa in these ectoparasites, especially in those that feed on farm ruminants. In this study, 1,241 ticks belonging to four species (Rhipicephalus microplus, R. haemaphysaloides, Haemaphysalis bispinosa, and H. wellingtoni) were collected from 674 farm ruminants across Peninsular Malaysia. The ticks were pooled and subjected to DNA extraction, followed by protozoal screening using 18S rRNA gene polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Of the 130 tick pools tested, 15 were positive for Babesia (11.54%) and ten for Theileria (7.69%). No Hepatozoon protozoa were detected. All positive pools consisted solely of R. microplus ticks, with no protozoa found in the other three tick species. BLAST analyses revealed that the Babesia sequences were identical to Babesia bigemina, while the Theileria sequences closely resembled Theileria orientalis and Theileria sinensis. This paper presents the first nationwide screening of Babesia, Hepatozoon, and Theileria in ticks infesting farm ruminants from Peninsular Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Tick Infestations/veterinary
  17. Fulltext Infective larvae of Cercopithifilaria spp. (Nematoda: Onchocercidae) from hard ticks (Ixodidae) recovered from the Japanese serow (Bovidae)
    Uni S, Bain O, Fujita H, Matsubayashi M, Fukuda M, Takaoka H
    Parasite, 2013;20:1.
    PMID: 23340227 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2012001
    Hard ticks taken from the Japanese serow, Capricornis crispus, in Yamagata Prefecture, Honshu, harboured infective larvae of onchocercid filariae after incubation from the 22nd to the 158th day. Haemaphysalis flava and H. japonica contained one to eight filarial larvae; females, males and a nymph of the ticks were infected. The 44 infective larvae recovered were 612-1,370 μm long, and 11 of them, 930-1,340 μm long, were studied in detail. The larvae possessed the morphologic characteristics of the larvae of the genus Cercopithifilaria, namely an oesophagus with a posterior glandular part, no buccal capsule and a long tail with three terminal lappets. Five types (A to E) of infective larvae were identified based on the morphologic characteristics. While to date five species of Cercopithifilaria have been described from the Japanese serow, a specific identification of the larvae found in this study was generally not possible. Only type E larvae could be tentatively assigned to Cercopithifilaria tumidicervicata, as they had a cervical swelling similar to that of the adults of this species. A key for the identification of the five larval types is presented. The study presents circumstantial evidences indicating that H. flava and H. japonica may transmit Cercopithifilaria spp. to Japanese serows. It also suggests the possibility that such filarial larvae will be found in hard ticks anywhere, because Cercopithifilaria is distributed worldwide, though this genus generally goes unnoticed, as its microfilariae occur in the skin, not in the blood, of host animals.
    Matched MeSH terms: Tick Infestations/veterinary*
  18. Fulltext Molecular characterisation of the tick Rhipicephalus microplus in Malaysia: new insights into the cryptic diversity and distinct genetic assemblages throughout the world
    Low VL, Tay ST, Kho KL, Koh FX, Tan TK, Lim YA, et al.
    Parasit Vectors, 2015;8:341.
    PMID: 26104478 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-0956-5
    The morphotaxonomy of Rhipicephalus microplus complex has been challenged in the last few years and prompted many biologists to adopt a DNA-based method for distinguishing the members of this group. In the present study, we used a mitochondrial DNA analysis to characterise the genetic assemblages, population structure and dispersal pattern of R. microplus from Southeast Asia, the region where the species originated.
    Matched MeSH terms: Tick Infestations/veterinary*
  19. Molecular identification of ticks infesting camels and the detection of their natural infections with Rickettsia and Borrelia in Riyadh province, Saudi Arabia
    Alajmi RA, Ayaad TH, Al-Harbi HT, Shaurub EH, Al-Musawi ZM
    Trop Biomed, 2019 Sep 01;36(3):758-765.
    PMID: 33597497
    The present work aimed to identify camel ticks Hyalomma dromedarii and Hyalomma marginatum using direct sequence of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene and the detection of their natural infection rate with Rickettsia and Borrelia using the PCR/ hybridization method for amplification of the citrate synthase (gltA) gene. The phylogenetic analysis showed 99% similarity between Hyalomma dromedarii and its reference with accession # L34306.1, as well as between Hyalomma marginatum and its reference with accession # KT391060.1 obtained from GenBank data base. The prevalence of H. dromedarii and H. marginatum was about 99% and 1%, respectively. The intraspecific variation among H. dromedarii ranged between 0.2-6.6%. The interspecific variation between H. dromedarii and H. marginatum was 18.3%. PCR/hybridization of the sampled H. dromedarii detected about 31%, 37% and 18% natural infection with Rickettsia, Borrelia and co-infection with both pathogens, respectively. In contrast, none of Rickettsia or Borrelia was detected in H. marginatum. The present study emphasizes the accuracy of the identification of camel ticks based on molecular techniques. The ability of H. dromedarii to spread more than one disease is an important issue from the epidemiological standpoint. Future epidemiological research should be carried out in Saudi Arabia to monitor the distribution of tick species and suggest effective control strategies.
    Matched MeSH terms: Tick Infestations/veterinary*
  20. First report of Haemaphysalis bispinosa, molecular-geographic relationships of Ixodes granulatus and a new Dermacentor species from Vietnam
    Hornok S, Kontschán J, Keve G, Takács N, Van Nguyen D, Ho KNP, et al.
    Parasit Vectors, 2025 Jan 23;18(1):21.
    PMID: 39849649 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06641-7
    BACKGROUND: Vietnam and its region are regarded as an ixodid tick biodiversity hotspot for at least two genera: Haemaphysalis and Dermacentor. To contribute to our knowledge on the tick fauna of this country, ticks from these two genera as well as an Ixodes species were analyzed morphologically and their molecular-phylogenetic relationships were examined in taxonomic and geographical contexts.

    METHODS: For this study, seven Haemaphysalis sp. ticks were removed from dogs and collected from the vegetation. These showed morphological differences from congeneric species known to occur in Vietnam. In addition, three Ixodes sp. ticks were collected from pygmy slow lorises (Xanthonycticebus pygmaeus), and a Dermacentor female had been previously collected from the vegetation. After DNA extraction, these were molecularly or phylogenetically analyzed based on the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox1) and 16S rRNA genes.

    RESULTS: The three species were morphologically identified as (i) Ixodes granulatus, which had nearly or exactly 100% sequence identities to conspecific ticks reported from large (approximately 2000 km) geographical distances but was more different (having lower, only 94.2% cox1 and 96.7% 16S rRNA sequence identity) from samples collected within 1000 km of Vietnam in Southern China and Malaysia, respectively; (ii) Haemaphysalis bispinosa, which showed 100% sequence identity to samples reported within both narrow and broad geographical ranges; and (iii) a new species, Dermacentor pseudotamokensis Hornok sp. nov., described here morphologically and shown to be phylogenetically a sister species to Dermacentor tamokensis.

    CONCLUSIONS: Haemaphysalis bispinosa shows genetic homogeneity in the whole of South and Southeast Asia, probably owing to its frequent association with domestic ruminants and dogs (i.e. frequently transported hosts). However, I. granulatus, the Asian rodent tick, has a mixed geographical pattern of haplotypes, probably because it may associate with either synanthropic or wild-living rodents as primary hosts. This tick species is recorded here, for the first time to our knowledge, as parasitizing lorises in Vietnam and its region. Based on phylogenetic analyses, D. pseudotamokensis Hornok sp. nov., recognized and described here for the first time, was almost certainly misidentified previously as Dermacentor steini, drawing attention to the need to barcode all Dermacentor spp. in Southern Asia.

    Matched MeSH terms: Tick Infestations/veterinary
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