Thesis (MTech (Horticulture))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2018. / Ticks and tick-borne diseases are important limiting factors to the attainment of sustainable animal and human health, affecting livelihood of resource poor farming communities in developing countries. Rhipicephalus appendiculatus and Amblyomma variegatum (Ixodidae) are among the most troubling tick species in Africa. While ticks can be controlled by applying chemical acaricides, these chemicals are quite expensive, especially, for small-scale famers in developing countries. Hence, the quest for alternative tick control over the years have revealed that entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) and plant extracts have huge prospects as sustainable alternatives for tick control. Beauveria bassiana (Hypocreales) is a fungal entomopathogen with the ability to colonize plants endophytically and induce secondary metabolite production in plants, and it has been found to be a potential biological control agent against a wide range of arthropods. Several plant species including plant species belonging to the family Alliaceae possess anti-tick activities (repellent and toxic); therefore, integrating the two strategies by inoculating Tulbaghia violacea with B. bassiana could enhance secondary metabolite contents in extracts obtained from the plant and increase medicinal materials. The primary purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of indigenous endophytic entomopathogens inoculation of T. violacea on the plant growth, tissue nutrient contents and secondary metabolites, and anti-tick activities of extracts of T. violacea. The specific objectives were: (i) to carry out a study on the effects of inoculating T. violacea with fungal strains of B. bassiana and Clonostachys rosea on plant growth and tissue nutrient contents in extracts of T. violacea with the view of selecting one of the two fungi for further investigation (ii) to compare secondary metabolite profiles of extracts obtained from plants exposed to fungus (EPF) inoculum and control treatment during cultivation, and (iii) to determine whether exposure of T. violacea to an endophytic fungus (B. bassiana) during cultivation affects the repellent and acaricidal activities of extracts of T. violacea on A. variegatum and R. appendiculatus. The study had two experiments, presented in chapters two and three. In the first experiment, eight weeks old potted seedlings of T. violacea were inoculated separately with B. bassiana (strain SM3) and C. rosea (strain SM8) conidia suspended at concentrations of 1 x 106 conidia mL-1. Plant growth parameters, such as number of leaves, plant height (aerial part), fresh weights of aerial parts, and tissue nutrient contents were assessed. Results indicated that B. bassiana induced higher growth of plants than C. rosea. Inoculation with B. bassiana did not significantly (P ˃ 0.05) influence most of the growth parameters, number of leaves, fresht weight of roots and of fresh weight aerial parts (leaves) of T. violacea assessed in the current study. However, mean plant heights and root lengths were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in favour of B. bassiana treated plants compared to those in C. rosea. Fe contents in the roots (1416.3 ± 305.10 mg/kg) were found to be positively influenced (P < 0.05) by the fungal inoculation. There was a significant difference in roots (P < 0.05) on the uptake of Mn in C. rosea treated plants (243 ± 19 mg/kg) compared to the control group (169 ± 16.37 mg/kg) and B. bassiana treated roots (161.3 ± 14.44 mg/kg). Macro nutrients up take did not differ significantly among treatments on both leaves and roots (P > 0.05).

Until 2014, scientific knowledge on the diversity of Chilean Ixodoidea summarized 19 species and only agents of Borrelia and Rickettsia genera had been detected. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the occurrence of further agents of Anaplasma, Borrelia, Coxiella, Ehrlichia, Rickettsia and Hepatozoon by means of molecular tools. Obtained sequences were inserted into a phylogenetic context in order to evaluate their relatedness to microorganisms of know pathogenic roles. As agents of Coxiella genus resulted to be related to endosymbiotic bacteria, data on these organisms was used to perform a taxonomic study with ticks of the Ornithodoors capensis sensu lato complex. The results confirm that Chilean ticks harbor at least three new borrelial, one new rickettsial, and three new Hepatozoon species for science. Moreover, Rickettsia amblyommatis, Rickettsia hoogstraalii and Rickettsia lusitaniae are added to the list of Chilean rickettsiae. Although ticks were positive to Anaplasmataceae PCRs, an accurate study including longer fragments of the 16S RNA targeted gene must be performed in order to confirm their specific identity. Coxiella-like endosymbionts are specific of every of the four O. capensis s. l. species analyzed in this study, and therefore constitute a useful tool in order to confirm the identities and define genetic boundaries of ticks of this group in South America. Finally, the results of this study add at least five new species of Argasidae family into Chilean fauna of ticks, and point the occurrence of several forms that need further assessment in order to accurately confirm their identities. / Até 2014, o conhecimento científico sobre a diversidade de Ixodoidea no Chile estava representado por 19 espécies e apenas agentes infecciosos dos gêneros Borrelia e Rickettsia haviam sido descritos. O objetivo deste estudo foi o de avaliar a ocorrência de outros patógenos transmitidos por carrapatos por meio de técnicas moleculares orientadas para a deteção de Anaplasma, Borrelia, Coxiella, Ehrlichia, Rickettsia e Hepatozoon. As sequências obtidas foram analisadas filogeneticamente, identificando-se suas posições em comparação à de organismos de papeis patogénicos já conhecidos. Como os agentes do gênero Coxiella apresentaram proximidade filogenética em relação a bactérias congenêricas endosimbiontes, os dados sobre estas foram utilizados para realizar um estudo taxonômico em carrapatos do complexo Ornithodoros capensis sensu lato. Em geral, os resultados confirmam a presença de pelo menos três novas espécies de Borrelia, uma nova Rickettsia, e três novas espécies de Hepatozoon para a ciência. Rickettsia amblyommatis, Rickettsia hoogstraalii e Rickettsia lusitaniae foram inseridas como novos agentes associados a carrapatos no Chile. Embora alguns carrapatos fossem positivos para a presença de bactérias da família Anaplasmataceae, futuros estudos devem ser desenvolvidos para confirmar a sua condição especifica, especialmente através da obtenção de maiores fragmentos do gene codificante para RNA 16S. Os organismos tipo Coxiella são específicos para cada uma das quatro espécies de carrapatos do grupo O. capensis analisados neste estudo. Portanto, constituem uma ferramenta de valor taxonômico para confirmar as identidades e limites genéticos destes. Finalmente, os resultados deste estudo adicionam pelo menos cinco novas espécies de carrapatos para a família Argasidae no Chile e apontam a ocorrência de várias morfotipos de condição incerta que precisam de maiores análises para esclarecer a com certeza a sua posição taxonômica.

Until 2014, scientific knowledge on the diversity of Chilean Ixodoidea summarized 19 species and only agents of Borrelia and Rickettsia genera had been detected. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the occurrence of further agents of Anaplasma, Borrelia, Coxiella, Ehrlichia, Rickettsia and Hepatozoon by means of molecular tools. Obtained sequences were inserted into a phylogenetic context in order to evaluate their relatedness to microorganisms of know pathogenic roles. As agents of Coxiella genus resulted to be related to endosymbiotic bacteria, data on these organisms was used to perform a taxonomic study with ticks of the Ornithodoors capensis sensu lato complex. The results confirm that Chilean ticks harbor at least three new borrelial, one new rickettsial, and three new Hepatozoon species for science. Moreover, Rickettsia amblyommatis, Rickettsia hoogstraalii and Rickettsia lusitaniae are added to the list of Chilean rickettsiae. Although ticks were positive to Anaplasmataceae PCRs, an accurate study including longer fragments of the 16S RNA targeted gene must be performed in order to confirm their specific identity. Coxiella-like endosymbionts are specific of every of the four O. capensis s. l. species analyzed in this study, and therefore constitute a useful tool in order to confirm the identities and define genetic boundaries of ticks of this group in South America. Finally, the results of this study add at least five new species of Argasidae family into Chilean fauna of ticks, and point the occurrence of several forms that need further assessment in order to accurately confirm their identities. / Até 2014, o conhecimento científico sobre a diversidade de Ixodoidea no Chile estava representado por 19 espécies e apenas agentes infecciosos dos gêneros Borrelia e Rickettsia haviam sido descritos. O objetivo deste estudo foi o de avaliar a ocorrência de outros patógenos transmitidos por carrapatos por meio de técnicas moleculares orientadas para a deteção de Anaplasma, Borrelia, Coxiella, Ehrlichia, Rickettsia e Hepatozoon. As sequências obtidas foram analisadas filogeneticamente, identificando-se suas posições em comparação à de organismos de papeis patogénicos já conhecidos. Como os agentes do gênero Coxiella apresentaram proximidade filogenética em relação a bactérias congenêricas endosimbiontes, os dados sobre estas foram utilizados para realizar um estudo taxonômico em carrapatos do complexo Ornithodoros capensis sensu lato. Em geral, os resultados confirmam a presença de pelo menos três novas espécies de Borrelia, uma nova Rickettsia, e três novas espécies de Hepatozoon para a ciência. Rickettsia amblyommatis, Rickettsia hoogstraalii e Rickettsia lusitaniae foram inseridas como novos agentes associados a carrapatos no Chile. Embora alguns carrapatos fossem positivos para a presença de bactérias da família Anaplasmataceae, futuros estudos devem ser desenvolvidos para confirmar a sua condição especifica, especialmente através da obtenção de maiores fragmentos do gene codificante para RNA 16S. Os organismos tipo Coxiella são específicos para cada uma das quatro espécies de carrapatos do grupo O. capensis analisados neste estudo. Portanto, constituem uma ferramenta de valor taxonômico para confirmar as identidades e limites genéticos destes. Finalmente, os resultados deste estudo adicionam pelo menos cinco novas espécies de carrapatos para a família Argasidae no Chile e apontam a ocorrência de várias morfotipos de condição incerta que precisam de maiores análises para esclarecer a com certeza a sua posição taxonômica.

SUMMARY Assessment of health care services quality and accessibility for tick-borne encephalitis patients in Kaunas region Liucijus Ambraška Supervisor Janina Petkevičienė, Dr.Sc.Assoc. Prof., Department of Social Medicine. Faculty of Public Health, Kaunas University of Medicine.- Kaunas, 2005.-P.68 Key words: tick-borne encephalitis, quality and accessibility of health care services Incidence of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is increasing by data of Lithuanian health information center. Aim of the study – to assess accessibility and quality of health care services for TBE patients in Kaunas region. Objectives: to establish peculiarities of transmission TBE infection and opinion about TBE prophylaxis of reconvalescents; to evaluate duration of admission period of TBE patients to specialized hospital and peculiarities of monitoring after discharging and satisfaction with health care services; to determine standpoint of general practitioners (GP) on TBE prophylaxis and reconvalescents monitoring problems. Methods. Case histories of TBE patients treated in Kaunas Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases in years 2001-2002 (n=187) analyzed. Questionnaires about state of health and assessment of quality of health care services during period of illness and reconvalescence were posted. 104 answers received. Questionnaires about standpoint on TBE control problems handed to 150 GP and returned by 101. Original questionnaires used. Differences between groups assessed using Mann-Whitney... [to full text]

The main objective oft his dissertation was to identify the causes of the rise of the tick population in KwaZulu-Natal in 1999. After 100 years of intensive chemical tick control, tick numbers remain high and the stock losses caused by tick borne diseases are still significant. In South Africa legislation was introduced to support intensive chemical tick control. Ticks have consistently shown themselves to possess a genetic pool containing the potential to resist a wide range of chemical poisons. The introduction of new chemicals followed by widespread use, has often resulted in the appearance of a tick population resistant to those chemicals. The problem is compounded by the fact that some farmers are also found to be helping ticks to multiply by not following instructions given by the chemical industry on how to use dips. Chemicals which are used to control ticks are also beyond the financial means of many cattle owners especially in resource- poor communities. Apart from the high cost of intensive tick control, the chemicals that are used to destroy ticks are very poisonous, not only to ticks but to the birds which are natural predators of ticks. The negative effects of these chemicals on the environment combined with the high cost of tick control has forced a revision of intensive chemical tick control strategy. There is now a shift to use methods of tick control which are friendly to the environment and affordable to the resource-poor communities. This dissertation provides a historical overview of the problem in KwaZulu-Natal and recommendations on how to deal with the problem in future. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2001.

The aim of this study was to characterize the replication of tick borne encephalitis virus in mouse macrophages and investigate the influence of tick saliva derived from Ixodes ricinus on the viral replication. Moreover, the effect of interferon (the member of type I interferons) and nitric oxide on virus replication was studied.

This study was focused on vector-pathogen-host interaction. Questing ticks from field were tested for presence of Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. and host DNA. Small rodents were trapped, ticks were collected from them, infestation patterns were estimated regarding the species and stage of ticks and species, sex and body weight of the host. Ticks aquired from hosts were tested for presence of Borrellia burgdorferi s.l. and tick-borne encephalitis virus. Both results from identification of hosts and from detection of pathogens were compared to be able to investigate interactions between host, vector and pathogen.

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of tick infection with tick-borne encephalitis virus on its behaviour and development. The effect of infection on feeding performance, metamorphosis, locomotion or phototaxis was analysed. Despite the fact that we were not able to demonstrate any significant effect of infection on tick behaviour, the obtained results contribute to understanding transmission dynamics of the virus during tick life cycle including co-feeding and transovarial transmission.

The presented thesis is focused on a comprehensive evaluation of situation related to the Tick-borne encephalitis on the territory of the Liberec Region in years 2001 2016. One of the main aims was to process the results of a demographic analysis of the Tick-borne encephalitis cases. These cases have been reported for 16 years within the so-called Tick-borne encephalitis surveillance to the system called EPIDAT by the Regional public health authority of the Liberec Region. Thank these analyzed data it was possible to create maps which illustrate particular focuses of the Tick-borne encephalitis in the Liberec Region and which graphically draw attention to locations threatened with infection. The KAP questionnaire study was held in a chosen Tick-borne encephalitis focus in order to improve a prevention of the Tick-borne encephalitis in the Region. This study was focused on knowledge, attitudes, opinions and practice of locals related to an occurrence of ticks and also of the Tick-borne encephalitis transmitted by them. Together with data gathering was held the distribution of the informative leaflets and also edification in this issue by a discussion about respondent´s questions. The collected data were processed by a descriptive method and also were detailed to a statistics testing. Due to an amount of analyzed information, this testing did not bring any statistic important results in most of the questions. The contribution of this thesis is especially the processed data of the Tick-borne encephalitis for those mentioned 16 years. These data could be useful for example for arguments of the public health authorities in case of discussion related to the Tick-borne encephalitis issue. The questionnaire study pointed out a problem which could cause a failure of people prevention. This problem means less of interest in health issues from their side. The question is how to learn population to perceive the risk of this disease when the half of the respondents do not feel threatened by the Tick-borne encephalitis? This fact is not certainly a problem only in the prevention of infectious diseases.

Poucos são os estudos acerca da saúde de onças-pintadas em vida livre. Visando obter melhores parâmetros para avaliação clínica desta espécie ameaçada de extinção, foram realizados exame clínico, hemograma, perfil bioquímico e acompanhamento de 10 onças-pintadas da região de Corumbá, no Pantanal do Mato Grosso do Sul. Além disso, buscando obter informações sobre o possível papel da espécie como suscetível, hospedeira ou sentinela de patógenos de importância em saúde pública e animal, amostras destas 10 onças foram testadas através de métodos sorológicos para verificar contato com vírus rábico, Rickettsia spp. e Ehrlichia canis. As amostras das onças e os carrapatos que as parasitavam no momento das capturas foram testados por reação em cadeia pela polimerase para a família Anaplasmataceae e os gêneros Rickettsia, Borrelia, Coxiella, Hepatozoon e Babesia. Este é o primeiro estudo a relatar os valores de hemograma e perfil bioquímico de uma população de onças-pintadas de vida livre. Dois animais, assintomáticos, apresentaram baixo título sorológico para o vírus da raiva, sugerindo contato da espécie com este patógeno. Todas as onças capturadas foram consideradas soropositivas para Rickettsia spp., e Rickettsia parkeri foi sequenciada a partir de um Amblyomma triste que estava parasitando um dos animais. Foi descoberta uma possível nova espécie do gênero Ehrlichia através do sequenciamento de DNA obtido de um Amblyomma triste e um Amblyomma cajenense que estavam parasitando onças. Quatro onças-pintadas foram consideradas soropositivas para Ehrlichia canis, possivelmente uma reação cruzada com esta outra espécie. Todas as onças-pintadas avaliadas neste estudo apresentaram DNA de Cytauxzoon sp., com 98% de similaridade a C. felis, em amostras sanguíneas. Todas as onças avaliadas neste estudo apresentaram DNA de Hepatozoon sp., com 98% de similaridade a H. felis, em amostras sanguíneas. As onças apresentavam boas condições de saúde geral. / Few studies have been conducted to investigate the health of free-ranging jaguars. In order to obtain better parameters for clinical evaluation of this endangered species, clinical exams, hemogram, biochemical tests and ecological monitoring were done for 10 jaguars in the Pantanal region - Corumbá City, Mato Grosso do Sul State. This project also evaluated the possible role of this species as susceptible, host or sentinel for pathogens of public and/or animal health importance, testing samples from these animals by serological methods to rabies virus, Rickettsia spp. and Ehrlichia canis. All samples and all ticks collected from the jaguars were also tested by polymerase chain reaction to the Anaplasmataceae family and the genera Rickettsia, Borrelia, Coxiella, Hepatozoon and Babesia. This is the first report of hemograms and biochemical profile of a free-ranging jaguar population. Two asymptomatic animals presented low seropositivity for rabies virus, suggesting contact with this pathogen. All jaguars were considered seropositive for Rickettsia spp., and Rickettsia parkeri was sequenced from an Amblyomma triste that was parasitizing one of the animals. A possible new species of the genus Ehrlichia has been identified by DNA sequencing obtained from an Amblyomma triste and an Amblyomma cajenense that were parasitizing jaguars. Four jaguars were considered seropositive for Ehrlichia canis, possibly a cross-reaction with this other species. All jaguars evaluated in this study presented DNA fragments of Cytauxzoon sp., 98% similarity to C. felis in blood samples. In addition, all jaguars presented DNA fragments of Hepatozoon sp., 98% similarity to H. felis in blood samples. In general, these jaguars presented good health.