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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. 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*
  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. 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*
  5. 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*
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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
  9. 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*
  10. 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
  11. 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*
  12. 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*
  13. 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*
  14. Fulltext Prevalence and molecular heterogeneity of Bartonella bovis in cattle and Haemaphysalis bispinosa ticks in Peninsular Malaysia
    Kho KL, Koh FX, Jaafar T, Nizam QN, Tay ST
    BMC Vet Res, 2015;11:153.
    PMID: 26179499 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-015-0470-1
    Bartonellosis is an emerging zoonotic infection responsible for a variety of clinical syndromes in humans and animals. Members of the genus Bartonella exhibit high degrees of genetic diversity and ecologic plasticity. The infection is usually transmitted to animals and humans through blood-feeding arthropod vectors such as fleas, lice, ticks and sandflies. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of Bartonella species in 184 beef cattle, 40 dairy cattle, 40 sheep and 40 goats in eight animal farms across Peninsular Malaysia. Bartonella-specific PCR assays and sequence analysis of partial fragments of the citrate synthase gene were used for detection and identification of B. bovis. Isolation of B. bovis was attempted from PCR-positive blood samples. Molecular heterogeneity of the isolates was investigated based on sequence analysis of gltA, ITS, rpoB genes, ERIC-PCR, as well as using an established multilocus sequence typing (MLST) method. The carriage rate of B. bovis in ticks was also determined in this study.
    Matched MeSH terms: Tick Infestations/veterinary
  15. Fulltext Coxiella-like bacteria in fowl ticks from Thailand
    Trinachartvanit W, Maneewong S, Kaenkan W, Usananan P, Baimai V, Ahantarig A
    Parasit Vectors, 2018 Dec 27;11(1):670.
    PMID: 30587229 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-3259-9
    BACKGROUND: Coxiella bacteria were identified from various tick species across the world. Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by the bacteria Coxiella burnetii that most commonly infects a variety of mammals. Non-mammalian hosts, such as birds, have also been reported to be infected with the pathogenic form of "Candidatus Coxiella avium". This research increases the list of tick species that have been found with Coxiella-like bacteria in Thailand.

    METHODS: A total of 69 ticks were collected from 27 domestic fowl (Gallus gallus domesticus), 2 jungle fowl (Gallus gallus) and 3 Siamese firebacks (Lophura diardi) at 10 locations (provinces) in Thailand. Ticks were identified and PCR was used to amplify Coxiella bacteria 16S rRNA, groEL and rpoB genes from the extracted tick DNA. MEGA6 was used to construct phylogenetic trees via a Maximum Likelihood method.

    RESULTS: The phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene showed that the Coxiella sequences detected in this study grouped in the same clade with Coxiella sequences from the same tick genus (or species) reported previously. In contrast, rpoB gene of the Coxiella bacteria detected in this study did not cluster together with the same tick genus reported previously. Instead, they clustered by geographical distribution (Thai cluster and Malaysian cluster). In addition, phylogenetic analysis of the groEL gene (the chaperonin family) showed that all Coxiella bacteria found in this study were grouped in the same clade (three sister groups).

    CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, we found for the first time rpoB genes of Coxiella-like bacteria in Haemaphysalis wellingtoni ticks forming two distinct clades by phylogenetic analysis. This may be indicative of a horizontal gene transfer event.

    Matched MeSH terms: Tick Infestations/veterinary*
  16. Coxiella Detection in Ticks from Wildlife and Livestock in Malaysia
    Khoo JJ, Lim FS, Chen F, Phoon WH, Khor CS, Pike BL, et al.
    Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis, 2016 12;16(12):744-751.
    PMID: 27763821
    Recent studies have shown that ticks harbor Coxiella-like bacteria, which are potentially tick-specific endosymbionts. We recently described the detection of Coxiella-like bacteria and possibly Coxiella burnetii in ticks found from rural areas in Malaysia. In the present study, we collected ticks, including Haemaphysalis bispinosa, Haemaphysalis hystricis, Dermacentor compactus, Dermacentor steini, and Amblyomma sp. from wildlife and domesticated goats from four different locations in Malaysia. Coxiella 16s rRNA genomic sequences were detected by PCR in 89% of ticks tested. Similarity analysis and phylogenetic analyses of the 16s rRNA and rpoB partial sequences were performed for 10 representative samples selected based on the tick species, sex, and location. The findings here suggested the presence of C. burnetii in two samples, each from D. steini and H. hystricis. The sequences of both samples clustered with published C. burnetii sequences. The remaining eight tick samples were shown to harbor 16s rRNA sequences of Coxiella-like bacteria, which clustered phylogenetically according to the respective tick host species. The findings presented here added to the growing evidence of the association between Coxiella-like bacteria and ticks across species and geographical boundaries. The importance of C. burnetii found in ticks in Malaysia warrants further investigation.
    Matched MeSH terms: Tick Infestations/veterinary*
  17. The molecular prevalence, distribution and risk factors associated with Babesia bigemina infection in Peninsular Malaysia
    Ola-Fadunsin SD, Sharma RSK, Abdullah DA, Gimba FI, Abdullah FFJ, Sani RA
    Ticks Tick Borne Dis, 2021 05;12(3):101653.
    PMID: 33465661 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101653
    Babesia bigemina is a tick-borne protozoan that affects cattle in almost all regions of the world. Despite its importance, there is no report of its prevalence in cattle using molecular detection methods in Peninsular Malaysia. This study describes the prevalence, distribution, and risk factors associated with B. bigemina infection using molecular diagnostic methods. Also, the species of ticks infesting cattle and the attitude of cattle farmers towards tick control in Peninsular Malaysia were studied. Blood samples were collected from 1045 cattle from 43 herds throughout the country, and were subjected to molecular studies to detect B. bigemina. Tick samples for entomological studies were also collected and identified. Epidemiological information of each cattle and farm were obtained using a well-structured questionnaire containing open-ended and closed-ended questions. Data were statistically analyzed using Univariate and Multivariate models. The 211-base pair of AMA-1 gene of B. bigemina was amplified and confirmed in 30.5 % (319/1045; 95 % CI = 27.8-33.4) of the sampled population, with the haemoprotozoan detected in all the sampled herds. Breed, age, physiological status, management type, rate of de-ticking, and closeness to human settlement were the risk factors significantly (p < 0.05) associated with the prevalence of B. bigemina in cattle. Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus and Haemaphysalis bispinosa were the species of ticks collected from cattle, with the former been more prevalent. A large number of cattle farmers (12/43; 28 %) do not control ticks in their herds. The findings of this study will create baseline data on the epidemiology of the haemoprotozoan and control patterns of its tick vectors that will guide the government in enacting policies that will improve food security and the economy of the nation.
    Matched MeSH terms: Tick Infestations/veterinary*
  18. Fulltext Bacterial community in Haemaphysalis ticks of domesticated animals from the Orang Asli communities in Malaysia
    Khoo JJ, Chen F, Kho KL, Ahmad Shanizza AI, Lim FS, Tan KK, et al.
    Ticks Tick Borne Dis, 2016 07;7(5):929-937.
    PMID: 27132518 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2016.04.013
    Ticks are vectors in the transmission of many important infectious diseases in human and animals. Ticks can be readily found in the semi-forested areas such as the settlements of the indigenous people in Malaysia, the Orang Asli. There is still minimal information available on the bacterial agents associated with ticks found in Malaysia. We performed a survey of the bacterial communities associated with ticks collected from domestic animals found in two Orang Asli villages in Malaysia. We collected 62 ticks, microscopically and molecularly identified as related to Haemaphysalis wellingtoni, Haemaphysalis hystricis and Haemaphysalis bispinosa. Bacterial 16s rRNA hypervariable region (V6) amplicon libraries prepared from the tick samples were sequenced on the Ion Torrent PGM platform. We detected a total of 392 possible bacterial genera after pooling and sequencing 20 samples, indicating a diverse bacterial community profile. Dominant taxa include the potential tick endosymbiont, Coxiella. Other dominant taxa include the tick-associated pathogen, Rickettsia, and environmental bacteria such as Bacillus, Mycobacterium, Sphingomonas and Pseudomonas. Other known tick-associated bacteria were also detected, including Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Rickettsiella and Wolbachia, albeit at very low abundance. Specific PCR was performed on selected samples to identify Rickettsia and Coxiella. Sequence of Rickettsia felis, which causes spotted fever in human and cats, was identified in one sample. Coxiella endosymbionts were detected in three samples. This study provides the baseline knowledge of the microbiome of ticks in Malaysia, focusing on tick-associated bacteria affecting the Orang Asli communities. The role of the herein found Coxiella and Rickettsia in tick physiology or disease transmission merits further investigation.
    Matched MeSH terms: Tick Infestations/veterinary*
  19. Francisella spp. detected in Dermacentor ticks in Malaysian forest reserve areas
    Koh FX, Nurhidayah MN, Tan PE, Kho KL, Tay ST
    Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports, 2019 08;17:100315.
    PMID: 31303231 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2019.100315
    Limited information is available on tropical ticks and tick-borne bacteria affecting the health of humans and animals in the Southeast Asia region. Francisella tularensis is a tick-borne bacterium which causes a potentially life-threatening disease known as tularemia. This study was conducted to determine the occurrence of Francisella spp. in questing ticks collected from Malaysian forest reserve areas. A total of 106 ticks (mainly Dermacentor and Haemaphysalis spp.) were examined for Francisella DNA using a Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay targeting the bacterial 16S rDNA. Francisella DNA was detected from 12 Dermacentor ticks. Sequence analysis of the amplified 16S rDNA sequences (1035 bp) show >99% identity with that of Francisella endosymbiont reported in a tick from Thailand. A dendrogram constructed based on the bacterial 16S rDNA shows that the Francisella spp. were distantly related to the pathogenic strains of F. tularensis. Three Francisella-positive ticks were identified as Dermacentor atrosignatus, based on sequence analysis of the tick mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene. Further screening of cattle and sheep ticks (Haemaphysalis bispinosa and Rhipicephalus microplus) and animal samples (cattle, sheep, and goats) did not yield any positive findings. Our findings provide the first molecular data on the occurrence of a Francisella strain with unknown pathogenicity in Dermacentor questing ticks in Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Tick Infestations/veterinary
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