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
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
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
Parasitology
Kelcey D. Dinkel, David R. Herndon, Susan M. Noh, Kevin K. Lahmers, S. Michelle Todd, Massaro W. Ueti, Glen A. Scoles, Kathleen L. Mason, Lindsay M. Fry
Summary: The study confirmed that the U.S. invasive H. longicomis ticks are competent vectors of the virulent T. orientalis Ikeda strain, which could significantly impact the U.S. cattle industry. Enhanced surveillance and control measures are necessary to prevent the spread of this parasite.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Duo Wang, Ru Li, Ya-Xue Wu, Xiang-Yuan Fan, Xiao-Ya Liu, Feng Yang, Tian-Tian Zhang, Jing-Yi Ma, Yong-Hong Hu
Summary: This study reports the molecular characterization of the HK gene and its potential application in vaccines against Haemaphysalis longicornis. The results showed that protein and DNA-based vaccines could increase antibody levels in immunized animals. Vaccination trials on rabbits demonstrated that protein and DNA vaccines reduced tick infestation, egg mass weight, and egg hatching rate. Protein vaccination provided 65.6% protection against adult female ticks, while DNA vaccination provided 51.8% protection. In conclusion, the HK protein and DNA vaccines have potential as effective tick control tools and inhibiting glucose metabolism may be a new strategy for tick control.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2023)
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
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
Parasitology
Weiqing Zheng, Haijun Hu, Jiafu Jiang, Xiangrong Sun, Renlong Fu, Huiying Tao, Yangqing Liu, Haiying Chen, Hongmei Ma, Shengen Chen
Summary: Research shows that HlCRT in H. longicornis tick saliva proteins is nonimmunogenic to mammalian hosts like mice and rabbits, and vaccination with rHlCRT does not generate effective immunity against H. longicornis nymphs or female ticks. Therefore, HlCRT is not a suitable molecular candidate for H. longicornis tick bite diagnosis and disrupting tick infestations.
VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY
(2022)
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
Parasitology
Duo Wang, Xiaocan Xu, Lihong Lv, Pinxing Wu, Hongmeng Dong, Shuwen Xiao, Jingze Liu, Yonghong Hu
Summary: Haemaphysalis longicornis is a globally distributed tick species that transmits various pathogens. Chemical acaricides have disadvantages such as resistance and environmental damage, while a livestock vaccination targeting tick protective antigens could be an effective and environmentally-friendly approach. Lipocalins play key roles in ticks and the recombinant HlLIP protein shows promise as a vaccine against H. longicornis infestation.
VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY
(2021)
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
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
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
Microbiology
Zhongqiu Teng, Yan Shi, Na Zhao, Xue Zhang, Xiaojing Jin, Jia He, Baohong Xu, Tian Qin
Summary: Ticks and tick-borne pathogens pose a significant threat to human and animal health worldwide. A study conducted in Hebei Province, China, collected 646 Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks from free-ranging domestic sheep. PCR assays and sequence analysis revealed the presence of zoonotic and veterinary important tick-borne pathogens, including Rickettsia, Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Borrelia, Theileria, and Hepatozoon spp. The study provides valuable data for controlling ticks and tick-borne diseases in the region.