Article
Entomology
Ningmei Wang, Aimeng Ji, Abolfazl Masoudi, Shuang Li, Yuhong Hu, Yefei Zhang, Zhijun Yu, Han Wang, Hui Wang, Jingze Liu
Summary: In this study, the protein regulation mechanism of low-temperature tolerance in Haemaphysalis longicornis was investigated. The results showed that maintaining cell homeostasis, cell viability, and enhancing cell tolerance were crucial for the ticks to survive under low temperatures. Furthermore, arylamine N-acetyltransferase, inositol polyphosphate multikinase, and dual-specificity phosphatase were identified as potential key proteins in low-temperature tolerance.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Ningmei Wang, Han Wang, Aimeng Ji, Ning Li, Guomin Chang, Jingze Liu, Desmond O. Agwunobi, Hui Wang
Summary: This study investigated the proteomic changes in the salivary glands, midguts, ovaries, and Malpighian tubules of starved Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks. The results showed up-regulation of essential synthases, increased oxidative phosphorylation function, fasting-induced oxidative stress, and activation of a protective mechanism.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Hejia Ma, Jingkai Ai, Yansha La, Xinyuan Zhao, Ankang Zeng, Qi Qin, Shangjiali Feng, Ming Kang, Yali Sun, Jixu Li
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a recombinant Hemalin (rHlHemalin) vaccine as an anti-tick vaccine against H. longicornis in rabbits and to find a potential candidate for tick control. The results showed that rHlHemalin protein stimulated cytokine production in mouse splenocytes and vaccination extended the reproductive cycle of H. longicornis.
VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Nneka Iduu, Subarna Barua, Shollie Falkenberg, Chance Armstrong, Jenna Workman Stockler, Annie Moye, Paul H. Walz, Chengming Wang
Summary: Theileria orientalis Ikeda genotype, a parasite causing economic challenges in cattle in Asia, New Zealand, and Australia, has been identified in Alabama, USA. The study found that infected cattle showed a high pathogen burden and the infection was persistent even in seemingly healthy cattle. Further investigation and surveillance of Theileria orientalis Ikeda and Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks in Alabama and other states, as well as evaluating the pathogenicity in cattle, are necessary.
VETERINARY SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Desmond O. Agwunobi, Ningmei Wang, Lei Huang, Yefei Zhang, Guomin Chang, Kuang Wang, Mengxue Li, Hui Wang, Jingze Liu
Summary: This study analyzed the phosphorylated proteins in the saliva of Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks and identified 262 phosphorylated tick saliva proteins. Functional annotation and enrichment analysis revealed that these proteins are involved in cellular and metabolic processes, particularly in transport-oriented processes. Knockdown of certain proteins resulted in various effects on tick feeding and reproduction. These findings demonstrate the importance of salivary phosphoproteins in facilitating tick feeding.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Maki Kuniyori, Nariko Sato, Naoaki Yokoyama, Shin-ichiro Kawazu, Xuenan Xuan, Hiroshi Suzuki, Kozo Fujisaki, Rika Umemiya-Shirafuji
Summary: In this study, the molecular mechanisms of transovarial transmission of the Babesia parasite in ticks were investigated. The expression profiles of key molecules involved in tick oogenesis were analyzed, revealing the impact of Babesia infection on yolk protein precursor synthesis and uptake. The accumulation of HIVg-2 was found to be associated with Babesia infection and transmission in ticks. These findings provide important insights into the transovarial transmission mechanisms of pathogens in tick vectors.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Wilson R. Raney, Erik J. Herslebs, Ingeborg M. Langohr, Madeline C. Stone, Meghan E. Hermance
Summary: The invasive Asian longhorned tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis, has been detected in 17 states in North America and shows vector competence for Powassan virus (POWV). This suggests a growing threat to human health in the United States posed by this invasive tick species.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Yuan-Yuan Cao, Shu-Wen Xiao, Feng Yang, Xiao-Ya Liu, Hui Lu, Jin-Cheng Zhang, Yong-Hong Hu
Summary: In this study, the recombinant protein of Fructose1,6-bisphosphate aldolase (FBA) from Haemaphysalis longicornis was obtained and found to be immunogenic against ticks. Immunized rabbits produced a specific humoral immune response to the recombinant FBA protein. Tick infestation trial showed that the engorged tick weight, oviposition, and egg hatching rate were significantly reduced in the group vaccinated with FBA recombinant protein. The overall immune efficacy of FBA was estimated to be 68.4%.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Runlai Cao, Qiaoyun Ren, Jin Luo, Zhancheng Tian, Wenge Liu, Bo Zhao, Jing Li, Peiwen Diao, Yangchun Tan, Xiaofei Qiu, Gaofeng Zhang, Qilin Wang, Guiquan Guan, Jianxun Luo, Hong Yin, Guangyuan Liu
Summary: In this study, the microbial diversity of Haemaphysalis longicornis from Baoji, Shaanxi, China was analyzed using mNGS, revealing the presence of various tick-borne pathogens and symbiotic microorganisms. The findings offer insights into tick-borne diseases in the region and provide valuable information for biological control strategies.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Desmond O. Agwunobi, Tongxuan Wang, Meng Zhang, Tianhong Wang, Qingying Jia, Miao Zhang, Xinyue Shi, Zhijun Yu, Jingze Liu
Summary: In this study, genes of hsp70 and hsp90 cDNA were cloned and characterized from the tick Dermacentor silvarum, and their functions in cold stress were evaluated. Results showed that Dshsp70 and Dshsp90 play essential roles in the low-temperature adaptation of ticks. This study contributes to understanding the survival and acclimatization of overwintering ticks.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Paul Franck Adjou Moumouni, Souichirou Naomasa, Bumduuren Tuvshintulga, Nariko Sato, Kiyoshi Okado, Weiqing Zheng, Seung-Hun Lee, Juan Mosqueda, Hiroshi Suzuki, Xuenan Xuan, Rika Umemiya-Shirafuji
Summary: In this study, a homologue of Rhipicephalus microplus ATAQ in H. longicornis (HlATAQ) was identified, characterized, and evaluated for its immunogenic potential. HlATAQ was found to be involved in blood-feeding and oviposition processes in the tick's midgut and Malpighian tubules. Silencing of HlATAQ did not result in significant phenotypic changes.
Article
Entomology
Guang Xu, Fumiko Ribbe, Joseph McCaffery, Chu-Yuan Luo, Andrew Y. Li, Stephen M. Rich
Summary: We developed a Taqman quantitative real-time PCR based on ITS2 gene for quick and accurate identification of Haemaphysalis longicornis. By applying this method to a large number of specimens, we detected an earlier case of H. longicornis but did not find common pathogens.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Julia Gonzalez, Anthony Lockhart, Qingli Wu, James E. Simon, Alvaro Toledo
Summary: This study evaluated the repellency of two newly developed catnip cultivar extracts on two tick species. Results showed that these extracts have similar repellency properties to DEET and also exhibit acaricidal effects on ticks, indicating their potential as tick repellents for humans.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Physiology
Mi Rong Lee, Jong Cheol Kim, So Eun Park, Se Jin Lee, Woo Jin Kim, Doo-Hyung Lee, Jae Su Kim
Summary: The longhorned tick, a vector for severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) virus, can be controlled by the invertebrate pathogen Metarhizium anisopliae JEF-290. The interaction between the tick and the fungal pathogen at the transcriptional level shows that the fungus induces catabolic processes and oxidative stress response in the tick, while the tick enhances peptide synthesis and energy production processes in defense against the fungal attack.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Mi Rong Lee, Jong-Cheol Kim, So Eun Park, Woo-Jin Kim, Jae Su Kim
Summary: Ticks are carriers of viruses that can cause disease in humans and animals. Longhorned ticks, such as Haemaphysalis longicornis, can transmit severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) in humans, and their population is increasing due to climate change. This study investigated viruses in longhorned ticks collected in Korea and analyzed virus titers in ticks exposed to the fungus Metarhizium anisopliae JEF-290. The findings suggest that longhorned ticks may not only spread SFTSV but also other disease-causing viruses globally. Viral metagenome analysis can be a tool for detecting unknown viruses and managing future outbreaks caused by ticks.
JOURNAL OF INVERTEBRATE PATHOLOGY
(2023)