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Showing papers on "Infestation published in 2014"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: An easily applicable prediction score based on rat infestation markers, which identified households with highest infection risk, is developed, which may be an effective risk stratification strategy for targeting control measures in slum settings of high leptospirosis transmission.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) is the principal reservoir for leptospirosis in many urban settings. Few studies have identified markers for rat infestation in slum environments while none have evaluated the association between household rat infestation and Leptospira infection in humans or the use of infestation markers as a predictive model to stratify risk for leptospirosis. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We enrolled a cohort of 2,003 urban slum residents from Salvador, Brazil in 2004, and followed the cohort during four annual serosurveys to identify serologic evidence for Leptospira infection. In 2007, we performed rodent infestation and environmental surveys of 80 case households, in which resided at least one individual with Leptospira infection, and 109 control households. In the case-control study, signs of rodent infestation were identified in 78% and 42% of the households, respectively. Regression modeling identified the presence of R. norvegicus feces (OR, 4.95; 95% CI, 2.13-11.47), rodent burrows (2.80; 1.06-7.36), access to water (2.79; 1.28-6.09), and un-plastered walls (2.71; 1.21-6.04) as independent risk factors associated with Leptospira infection in a household. We developed a predictive model for infection, based on assigning scores to each of the rodent infestation risk factors. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis found that the prediction score produced a good/excellent fit based on an area under the curve of 0.78 (0.71-0.84). CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our study found that a high proportion of slum households were infested with R. norvegicus and that rat infestation was significantly associated with the risk of Leptospira infection, indicating that high level transmission occurs among slum households. We developed an easily applicable prediction score based on rat infestation markers, which identified households with highest infection risk. The use of the prediction score in community-based screening may therefore be an effective risk stratification strategy for targeting control measures in slum settings of high leptospirosis transmission.

93 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: For the first time, it is experimentally demonstrated that for two common forestry tree species, foliar fungal pathogen richness and infestation depend on local biodiversity and local tree diversity can have positive impacts on ecosystem functioning in managed forests by decreasing the level of fungal courseogen infestation.
Abstract: Summary The degree to which plant pathogen infestation occurs in a host plant is expected to be strongly influenced by the level of species diversity among neighbouring host and non-host plant species. Since pathogen infestation can negatively affect host plant performance, it can mediate the effects of local biodiversity on ecosystem functioning. We tested the effects of tree diversity and the proportion of neighbouring host and non-host species with respect to the foliar fungal pathogens of Tilia cordata and Quercus petraea in the Kreinitz tree diversity experiment in Germany. We hypothesized that fungal pathogen richness increases while infestation decreases with increasing local tree diversity. In addition, we tested whether fungal pathogen richness and infestation are dependent on the proportion of host plant species present or on the proportion of particular non-host neighbouring tree species. Leaves of the two target species were sampled across three consecutive years with visible foliar fungal pathogens on the leaf surface being identified macro- and microscopically. Effects of diversity among neighbouring trees were analysed: (i) for total fungal species richness and fungal infestation on host trees and (ii) for infestation by individual fungal species. We detected four and five fungal species on T. cordata and Q. petraea, respectively. High local tree diversity reduced (i) total fungal species richness and infestation of T. cordata and fungal infestation of Q. petraea and (ii) infestation by three host-specialized fungal pathogen species. These effects were brought about by local tree diversity and were independent of host species proportion. In general, host species proportion had almost no effect on fungal species richness and infestation. Strong effects associated with the proportion of particular non-host neighbouring tree species on fungal species richness and infestation were, however, recorded. Synthesis. For the first time, we experimentally demonstrated that for two common forestry tree species, foliar fungal pathogen richness and infestation depend on local biodiversity. Thus, local tree diversity can have positive impacts on ecosystem functioning in managed forests by decreasing the level of fungal pathogen infestation.

91 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Use of early ripening highbush blueberry cultivars to avoid infestation and mass trapping were evaluated for managing spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura), and significant linear reduction in infestation with increasing distance from the attractant trap suggests that traps are influencing fly behavior.
Abstract: Use of early ripening highbush blueberry cultivars to avoid infestation and mass trapping were evaluated for managing spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura). Fourteen highbush blueberry cultivars were sampled for spotted wing drosophila infestation. Most 'Earliblue', 'Bluetta', and 'Collins' fruit were harvested before spotted wing drosophila oviposition commenced, and so escaped injury. Most fruit from 'Bluejay', 'Blueray', and 'Bluehaven' were also harvested before the first week of August, after which spotted wing drosophila activity led to high levels of blueberry infestation. In a separate experiment, damage to cultivars was related to the week in which fruit were harvested, with greater damage to fruit observed as the season progressed. Attractant traps placed within blueberry bushes increased nearby berry infestation by 5%, irrespective of cultivar and harvest date. The significant linear reduction in infestation with increasing distance from the attractant trap suggests that traps are influencing fly behavior to at least 5.5 m. Insecticides applied to the exterior of traps, compared with untreated traps, revealed that only 10-30% of flies visiting traps enter the traps and drown. Low trap efficiency may jeopardize surrounding fruits by increasing local spotted wing drosophila activity. To protect crops, traps for mass trapping should be placed in a perimeter outside fruit fields and insecticides need to be applied to the surface of traps or on nearby fruit to function as an attract-and-kill strategy.

63 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: During all seasons and under both conventional and organic management, worrisome outliers were present (high larval infestation with low trap captures) that call into question the reliability of using the systems presented here as a basis for management decisions at this time.
Abstract: Native to Southeast Asia, Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) prefer to oviposit on ripe fruit and have become an important pest of California raspberries (Rubus idaeus L.) since their detection in Santa Cruz County, CA, in 2008. Preliminary management guidelines included D. suzukii monitoring recommendations, though there was little available information on seasonal occurrence and potential lures for use in raspberries. To address this issue, we trapped adult D. suzukii weekly for 2 yr (including both spring and fall harvests) in multiple raspberry varieties using apple cider vinegar and a yeast-sugar-water mixture as liquid lures, and measured fruit infestation when commercially ripe fruit were available. D. suzukii pressure as measured by larval infestation and adult trap captures was higher during the fall raspberry harvest season. The yeast lure captured significantly more D. suzukii during the fall harvest than the apple cider vinegar, and while both lures tended to capture more females than males, this varied by month of the year and was more pronounced for the yeast lure. Trap captures from each lure correlated well to one another, and often exhibited significant correlation to larval infestation. However, during all seasons and under both conventional and organic management, worrisome outliers were present (high larval infestation with low trap captures) that call into question the reliability of using the systems presented here as a basis for management decisions at this time.

62 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
29 Aug 2014-PLOS ONE
TL;DR: Persistent house infestation is closely related to eco-bio-social factors that maintain productive T. dimidiata habitats associated with dogs, chickens and rodents, and integrated vector control methods should include actions that consider the role of peridomestic animals in transmission.
Abstract: Background Chagas disease transmission by Triatoma dimidiata persists in Guatemala and elsewhere in Central America under undefined ecological, biological and social (eco-bio-social) conditions. Methodology Eco-bio-social risk factors associated with persistent domiciliary infestation were identified by a cross-sectional survey and qualitative participatory methods. Quantitative and qualitative data were generated regarding Trypanosoma cruzi reservoirs and triatomine hosts. Blood meal analysis and infection of insects, dogs and rodents were determined. Based on these data, multimodel inference was used to identify risk factors for domestic infestation with the greatest relative importance (>0.75). Principal Findings Blood meal analysis showed that 64% of 36 bugs fed on chickens, 50% on humans, 17% on dogs; 24% of 34 bugs fed on Rattus rattus and 21% on Mus musculus. Seroprevalence among 80 dogs was 37%. Eight (17%) of 46 M. musculus and three (43%) of seven R. rattus from households with infected triatomines were infected with T. cruzi Distinct Typing Unit I. Results from interviews and participatory meetings indicated that vector control personnel and some householders perceived chickens roosting and laying eggs in the house as bug infestation risk factors. House construction practices were seen as a risk factor for bug and rodent infestation, with rodents being perceived as a pest by study participants. Multimodel inference showed that house infestation risk factors of high relative importance are dog density, mouse presence, interior wall plaster condition, dirt floor, tile roofing and coffee tree presence. Conclusions/Significance Persistent house infestation is closely related to eco-bio-social factors that maintain productive T. dimidiata habitats associated with dogs, chickens and rodents. Triatomine, dog and rodent infections indicate active T. cruzi transmission. Integrated vector control methods should include actions that consider the role of peridomestic animals in transmission and community memberś level of knowledge, attitudes and practices associated with the disease and transmission process.

58 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The variation in resistance to tick infestation is most marked between Bos taurus and Bos indicus cattle, taurine cattle given the same exposure carrying between five and 10 times as many ticks as indicine cattle.
Abstract: Resistance to Rhipicephalus microplus infestation in cattle has many effector mechanisms, each of which is likely to be modulated by complex, interacting factors. Some of the mechanisms of host resistance and their modulating factors have been identified and quantified, although much remains to be explained. The variation in resistance to tick infestation is most marked between Bos taurus and Bos indicus cattle, taurine cattle given the same exposure carrying between five and 10 times as many ticks as indicine cattle. Tick resistance is mostly manifest against attaching larvae, which attempt to feed often and without success, death occurring mostly within 24 h of finding a host. There is evidence of innate and adaptive immune response to tick infestation, and it appears that the relative importance of each differs between indicine and taurine cattle. There is conflicting information regarding the role of humoral immunity in tick resistance, and recent studies indicate that strong IgG responses to tick antigens are not protective. A strong T-cell-mediated response directed against larval stages, as mounted by indicine cattle, seems to be protective. Variation in the extracellular matrix of skin (epidermal growth factors, collagens and other matrix components such as lumican) also contributes to variation in host resistance.

53 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
25 Mar 2014-PLOS ONE
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors used a mid-Cretaceous (upper Lower Cretaceous, upper Albian) reef setting at Koskobilo, northern Spain, on the basis of 874 specimens of anomurans and brachyurans.
Abstract: Parasites are common in modern ecosystems and are also known from the fossil record. One of the best preserved and easily recognisable examples of parasitism in the fossil record concerns isopod-induced swellings in the branchial chamber of marine decapod crustaceans. However, very limited quantitative data on the variability of infestation percentages at the species, genus, and family levels are available. Here we provide this type of data for a mid-Cretaceous (upper Lower Cretaceous, upper Albian) reef setting at Koskobilo, northern Spain, on the basis of 874 specimens of anomurans and brachyurans. Thirty-seven specimens (4.2%), arranged in ten species, are infested. Anomurans are more heavily infested than brachyurans, variability can be high within genera, and a relationship may exist between the number of specimens and infestation percentage per taxon, possibly suggesting host-specificity. We have also investigated quantitative patterns of infestation through geological time based on 88 infested species (25 anomurans, 55 brachyurans, seven lobsters, and one shrimp), to show that the highest number of infested species can be found in the Late Jurassic, also when corrected for the unequal duration of epochs. The same Late Jurassic peak is observed for the percentage of infested decapod species per epoch. This acme is caused entirely by infested anomurans and brachyurans. Biases (taphonomic and otherwise) and causes of variability with regard to the Koskobilo assemblage and infestation patterns through time are discussed. Finally, a new ichnogenus and -species, Kanthyloma crusta, are erected to accommodate such swellings or embedment structures (bioclaustrations).

52 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Results suggest that landscape-mediated variation in pest pressure in this system is better explained by a direct response of pest insects to increasing cover of a highly suitable crop rather than an indirect response via reductions in natural enemies as natural habitat declines.

50 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This study modelled relative risks of infestation by the spruce bark beetle Ips typographus across a 130,000 ha managed lowland forest landscape in southern Sweden during three years of an outbreak and demonstrated that high-resolution risk-rating maps can be successfully created for large landscapes using easily accessible satellite data of forest characteristics and aerial surveys ofinfestation spots.

47 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The findings suggest that stand management could be adapted in order to decrease the risk of damage by the pine processionary moth, and that predictive tools for infestation dynamics can be based on forest growth models.

47 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results showed that chlorophyll content in leaves, phenol, tannin, peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, and protein content in Leaves and seeds of faba bean plants either significantly or non significantly increased the effect of insect infestation in the resistance genotypes.
Abstract: Storage insect pests cause serious losses to all legume crops in both quality and quantity. This study was conducted to study some morphological characters and biochemical components in eight genotypes of faba bean to determine biochemical and molecular markers for resistance and susceptibility to infestation with stored insects. The results showed that chlorophyll content in leaves, phenol, tannin, peroxidase (POD), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), and protein content in leaves and seeds of faba bean plants either significantly or non significantly increased the effect of insect infestation in the resistance genotypes (L.551, L.512, L.153, NA112, and L.1) as compared with the susceptible genotypes (L.16 and T.W). Protein electrophoresis showed a wide variation between genotypes and determined some biochemical markers (sodium dodecyl sulfate poly acrylamide gel electrophoresis, SDS-PAGE). In addition, molecular genetic markers for stored insects' resistance were obtained using inter-simple sequence repeat polyme...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is concluded that increased salmon lice infection pressure associated with altered salmon farming practice may have the potential to influence the marine behaviour and growth of sea trout.
Abstract: Salmon lice Lepeophtheirus salmonis Kroyer may affect survival and growth of anadromous salmonids through physiological stress and/or behavioural changes. Using acoustic telemetry tracking, we investigated the behaviour of 30 infected sea trout Salmo trutta throughout the summer in a fjord with very high salmon lice infection pressure. Most of the tracked sea trout adopted a movement pattern expected to suppress salmon lice infestation, as they showed a strong preference for fresh or brackish water, spending most of the time close to a river outlet or even migrating into the river. Highly infested sea trout preferred shallower depths, associated with lower salinity. The fish lost to predation stayed further away from the river outlet than non- predated fish, and were likely subjected to a stronger infection pressure. Half of the tracked group were treated with a salmon lice prophylaxis, emamectin benzoate. The effect of treatment on infestation was monitored in a separate group held in a sea cage and found to be moderate; the mortality in this group was associated with infestation by motile lice stages. In contrast, treatment was not found to have an effect on tracked fish behaviour. It is likely that some physiological and behavioural responses to high salmon lice infection pressure may be present even after a prophy- laxis treatment, in particular when the treatment is given after exposure to salmon lice infection. We conclude that increased salmon lice infection pressure associated with altered salmon farming practice may have the potential to influence the marine behaviour and growth of sea trout.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This is the first study that demonstrates the effects of Africanization and ecological environment on V. destructor infestation rates in honey bee colonies in North America and there were no differences in bee population or capped brood between genotypes.
Abstract: Honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies of African and European descent were compared for levels of Varroa destructor infestation in 3 different ecological regions in Mexico. The 300 colonies that were studied were located in subtropical, temperate sub-humid, and temperate dry climates. The morphotype and mitotype of adult bees as well as their rates of infestation by varroa mites were determined. Additionally, the number of combs with brood and covered with bees was recorded for each colony. The highest frequency of colonies that were classified as African-derived was found in the subtropical environment, whereas the lowest occurred in the temperate dry region. Overall, the colonies of African genotype had significantly lower mite infestation rates (3.5±0.34%) than the colonies of European genotype (4.7±0.49%) regardless of the region sampled. Significant effects of genotype and region on Varroa infestation rates were evident, and there were no differences in bee population or capped brood between genotypes. Mite infestation levels were significantly lower in the colonies of the temperate dry region than in the colonies of the other 2 regions. These results are discussed within the context of results from studies that were previously conducted in Brazil. This is the first study that demonstrates the effects of Africanization and ecological environment on V. destructor infestation rates in honey bee colonies in North America.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Three cases of infection due to the Gram-negative rod Ignatzschineria (Schineria) indica involving bacteremia and the urinary tract are reported, believed to be the first I. indica infections reported in association with maggot infestation and myiasis.
Abstract: We report three cases of infection due to the Gram-negative rod Ignatzschineria (Schineria) indica involving bacteremia and the urinary tract. Two cases were clearly associated with maggot infestation, and the third could conceivably have had unrecognized maggot infestation of the urinary tract. We believe these cases to be the first I. indica infections reported in association with maggot infestation and myiasis.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The possible use of highly resistant cultivars as trap crops or egg sinks are discussed and the important role of Ataulfo “niño” as pest reservoir if fruit is left unharvested on trees is highlighted.
Abstract: We evaluated the susceptibility of 15 mango cultivars to the attack of Anastrepha ludens (Loew) and Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart) (Diptera: Tephritidae), the main tephritid pests of this crop in Mexico. In a field experiment, bagged fruit-bearing branches were exposed to gravid females of both fly species. Infestation rates, developmental time, adult eclosion, and F1 adult longevity, fecundity, and fertility were recorded, ranking cultivars in terms of susceptibility to fly attack and development. We also compared the volatile profile in selected resistant and susceptible cultivars in search of possible correlations. In a second experiment, clutch size for A. ludens was determined in each cultivar. Infestation rates, developmental time, and F1 demographic parameters varied sharply among cultivars and between fly species for bagged fruit. Cultivars ‘Vishi,’ ‘74 – 82,’ and ‘Brooks’ were most susceptible to A. ludens infestation while ‘Tommy,’ ‘Sensation,’ and ‘Ataulfo “nino’” (partheno- carpic frui...

Journal Article
TL;DR: Evaluated the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths in sheep and goats of the Cholistan desert, Pakistan, where livestock is the backbone of the regional economy, finding Parasites were especially prevalent in suckling goats and sheep, and to a lesser extent in young animals.
Abstract: Small ruminants are a major source of cash for many rural popul ations, especially in semi -arid and arid regions of developing countries. Extensively managed animals often host gastrointestinal parasites, and even chronic infestations lead to economic losses. We evaluated the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths in sheep and goats of the Cholistan desert, Pakistan, where livestock is the backbone of the regional economy. Fresh faeces (10 - 15 g) were collected from 500 sheep and 500 goats across five different localities. Standard parasitological techniques served t o identify parasite eggs, and copro-culture enabled larval determination of specific nematodes. Overall helminth prevalence was 78.1% across the 1000 animals; pure nematode infestations were most prevalent (37.5%), followed by pure trematode (7.9%), pure cestode (2.6%) and pure protozoa infestations (0.8%). Mixed infestations with nematodes and trematodes occurred in 6.4% of all animals, mixed nematode-cestode infestations in 3.8%, and all three groups were found in 19.1% of the sheep and goats. In goats more males (81.1%) than females (77.0%) were infested, the opposite was found in sheep (73.6% males, 79.5% females). Parasites were especially prevalent in suckling goats (85.2%) and sheep (88.5%) and to a lesser extent in young (goats 80.6%, sheep 79.3%) and adult animals (goats 72.8%, sheep 73.8%). Given the high infestation rates, particular attention should be paid to management of suckling animals. A general means of reducing infestation rates might be the systematic testing of traditional plant -based remedies against helminths for cheap and regular deworming of the herds.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Dog-specific characteristics such as length of coat and body size played significant roles in tick infestation and the characteristics of tick prophylaxis of dogs in the Berlin/Brandenburg area.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Elevated protein levels were observed in seeds that showed a higher intensity of damage, and the lipid and carbohydrate contents and germination potential were reduced in seeds showing a higher degree of damage.
Abstract: The bean bug, Riptortus pedestris (Fabricius), is one of the major pests of soybean; this pest mainly feeds on soybean pods. Its population is highest when the soybean plants bear mature seeds. We aimed to determine the effect of bean bug infestation on soybean according to changes in nutrient levels and seed germination potential. Newly emerged adult males of R. pedestris (n = 5 per plant) were released into a meshed cage containing soybean plants at the R5 stage. Another meshed cage with soybean plants was treated as control. Healthy seeds harvested from control plants were selected and accounted as undamaged seeds and seeds from bug-released cages were visually categorized into 7 different classes according to the intensity of damage incurred due to bean bug infestation. The seeds were then compared in terms of changes in weight, protein, lipid, and carbohydrate content, and germination potential. Elevated protein levels were observed in seeds that showed a higher intensity of damage. On the other hand, the lipid and carbohydrate contents and germination potential were reduced in seeds showing a higher degree of damage. Germination potential in terms of lipid and carbohydrate loss caused by bug infestation is also discussed.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The effect of aphid infestation on the performance of subsequent attackers is species specific, which may have concomitant consequences for the assembly of insect communities that are naturally associated with these plants.
Abstract: Herbivore-induced plant responses not only influence the initiating attackers, but also other herbivores feeding on the same host plant simultaneously or at a different time. Insects belonging to different feeding guilds are known to induce different responses in the host plant. Changes in a plant's phenotype not only affect its interactions with herbivores but also with organisms higher in the food chain. Previous work has shown that feeding by a phloem-feeding aphid on a cabbage cultivar facilitates the interaction with a chewing herbivore and its endoparasitoid. Here we study genetic variation in a plant's response to aphid feeding using plants originating from three wild Brassica oleracea populations that are known to differ in constitutive and inducible secondary chemistry. We compared the performance of two different chewing herbivore species, Plutella xylostella and M. brassicae, and their larval endoparasitoids Diadegma semiclausum and M. mediator, respectively, on plants that had been infested with aphids (Brevicoryne brassicae) for 1 week. Remarkably, early infestation with B. brassicae enhanced the performance of the specialist P. xylostella and its parasitoid D. semiclausum, but did not affect that of the generalist M. brassicae, nor its parasitoid M. mediator. Performance of the two herbivore-parasitoid interactions also varied among the cabbage populations and the effect of aphid infestation marginally differed among the three populations. Thus, the effect of aphid infestation on the performance of subsequent attackers is species specific, which may have concomitant consequences for the assembly of insect communities that are naturally associated with these plants.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It was showed that Striga is a major problem in Jigawa State with almost all the cowpea, sorghum and millet fields infested with the parasite and improved soil fertility management technologies and Striga -resistant crop varieties are needed to address the menace of Striga in the State.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is suggested that priority should be given to management practices that enhance resilience by increasing spruce advance regeneration in the understory as opposed to treatments aimed at achieving resistance to beetle disturbance.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The seasonal feeding activity of the tree-hole tick (Ixodes arboricola) is examined in relation to the activity of its hole-breeding hosts (Parus major and Cyanistes caeruleus) to observe a non-random pattern of feeding associated with the tick instar and host age.
Abstract: Bird-specific ticks do not infest humans and livestock, but these ticks often share their avian hosts with generalist ticks that do. Therefore, their feeding activity may have an impact on the transmission of pathogens outside bird-tick transmission cycles. Here we examined the seasonal feeding activity of the tree-hole tick (Ixodes arboricola) in relation to the activity of its hole-breeding hosts (Parus major and Cyanistes caeruleus). We analysed data on ticks derived from birds, on the abundance of engorged ticks inside nest boxes, and on bird nests that were experimentally exposed to ticks. We observed a non-random pattern of feeding associated with the tick instar and host age. The majority of adult ticks fed on nestlings, while nymphs and larvae fed on both free-flying birds and nestlings. Due to their fast development, some ticks were able to feed twice within the same breeding season. The highest infestation rates in free-flying birds were found during the pre-breeding period and during autumn and winter when birds roost inside cavities. Except during winter, feeding of I. arboricola overlapped in time with the generalist Ixodes ricinus, implying that tick-borne microorganisms that are maintained by I. arboricola and birds could be bridged by I. ricinus to other hosts.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: An individual-based and spatially explicit model – the Infestation Pattern Simulation (IPS) model) is developed to elucidate how individual traits affect system-level dispersal and infestation patterns and may contribute to the understanding of the complex spatio-temporal processes that govern host–bark beetle dynamics.

01 Jan 2014
TL;DR: Ticks were widely distributed in different parts of the host body such as armpit, inner thigh, penis, udder, mammary gland, scrotum and vulva, of which inner tigh was most infected, while vulva was the least infected animal body part.
Abstract: Survey of tick infestation of cattle was studied at different communities of Nsukka district, Enugu State, Nigeria from November 2010 to October, 2011. The prevalence of ticks in relation to age, sex, breed, weight, season of the year and different body parts of the host was studied. A total of 139 cattles were examined, of which 123(88.49%) cattle were tick infested. Four species of tick were identified namely Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, Amblyomma variegatum, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus and Amblyomma maculatum. The range of tick burden was 1 - 8 per four square inch of heavily infested area of Nsukka district. Mean tick burden was high in case of R. (B.) microplus (2.93±0.21), followed by A. variegatum (2.01±0.15), R. (B.) annulatus (0.74±0.08) and A. maculatum (0.25±0.04). Prevalence was significantly (p 2.0 years of age (48.94%). Infestation of tick was significantly higher (p 299kg body weight (27.15%). Ticks were widely distributed in different parts of the host body such as armpit, inner thigh, penis, udder, mammary gland, scrotum and vulva, of which inner tigh (26.66%) was most infected, while vulva (10.80%) was the least infected animal body part. It was concluded that R. (B.) microplus is the main tick species identified which was a threat to the cattle population in Nsukka district, irrespective of age, sex, breed of the animal, Season of the year, weight of the animal of the study area.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: High prevalence of tick infestation among indigenous cattle in Nigeria might hamper cattle production and productivity in Nigeria, and it is recommended that appropriate control strategies be instituted to control ticks in the study area.
Abstract: A survey study was conducted from June to December 2009 using standard parasitological procedures to determine the prevalence of tick infestation among cattle of different breeds in Maiduguri, Northeastern Nigeria. The tick species identified were Boophilus microplus , Amblyomma variegatum , Hyalomma spp., Rhipicephalus sanguineous and Ornithodorus spp. Of the 205 cattle examined, 63.4% (95% CI: 56.8 – 70.0) were tick infested. Males had a non – significantly (P > 0.05) higher infestation rate of 63.4% (56.7 – 71.7) compared with the females 60.9% (46.8 – 75.0). Younger animals aged ≤ 3 years had a significantly (P 3 – 7 years 55.8% (46.3 – 65.3) and older animals > 7 years 35.0% (22.9 – 47.1). Among breeds, Wadara and Kuri had significantly (P < 0.05) higher infestation rates of 66.1% (57.9 – 74.3) and 66.7% (13.4 – 120.0) respectively. Gudali had 60.9% (41.0 – 80.8), Rahaji 58.0% (44.3 – 71.7) and Bunaji 50.0% (19.3 – 119.3). Based on the predilection sites, the udder and external genitalia, inner thigh and under the tail/perineum were the most tick-infested sites with 84.3% (78.3 – 88.5), 79.0% (73.4 – 84.6) and 69.8% (63.5 – 76.1) respectively (P < 0.05). While the less preferred sites eyes, neck/dewlap, ears and all over the body each had prevalence of 26.3% (20.3 – 32.3), 14.6% (9.8 – 1.4), 12.2% (7.7 – 16.7) and 11.2% (6.9 – 15.5) respectively. This study reveals high prevalence of tick infestation among indigenous cattle in Maiduguri. This might hamper cattle production and productivity in Nigeria. Thus, it is recommended that appropriate control strategies be instituted to control ticks in the study area. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjvm.v12i2.21279 Bangl. J. Vet. Med . (2014). 12 (2): 161-166

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors assessed the infestation of Bactrocera invadens on field-collected Cavendish dwarf bananas of different ripening stages in Kenya and Mozambique.
Abstract: We assessed the infestation of Bactrocera invadens Drew Tsuruta & White on field-collected Cavendish dwarf bananas of different ripening stages in Kenya and Mozambique. Of 5085 fruits collected in Kenya, B. invadens was reared from all ripening stages except bananas at the mature green stage. The highest level of fruit fly infestation was recorded from the ‘all yellow’ fruit ripening stage at 17% of which 401 B. invadens was recovered. In Mozambique, no fruit flies were recovered from a total of 169 fruits of different ripening stages sampled. Of 1349 culled Cavendish dwarf bananas sample, the highest number of fruit flies (518 B. invadens) was recovered from fruits that were precociously ripened. In field cage experiments conducted in Kenya and Mozambique, although oviposition wounds (101–587) were observed on green bananas after artificial infestation with 100–1000 gravid B. invadens females, no flies were recovered from fruits at the green stage of harvest maturity. Based on the results of these findings, mature green bananas of the Cavendish dwarf cultivar should be considered as a non-host stage of maturity for B. invadens. However, bunches with precociously ripened fingers and with other damages such as cracks and splits, ant burns, abrasions, point bruise, tip rot or general decay should be carefully inspected before export and discarded because such damages can permit attack by B. invadens and pose the risk of inadvertent translocation of the insect during export.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Results show that feral pigs feed a high proportion of the A. sculptum adults and nymphs in their territories and should be a target for tick-borne diseases studies, particularly relevant to public health because all the main tick species found on feral pigs are aggressive to humans as well.
Abstract: The Pantanal in Brazil is the largest floodplain of the world. This ecosystem, rich in wildlife, has a large feral pig population. Such a large host biomass must have a strong influence on the parasite fauna. In this work, we evaluated the role of feral pigs in the maintenance of Amblyomma sculptum (formerly Amblyomma cajennense), the most prevalent tick species in the Pantanal. Tick infestations were evaluated on 243 feral pigs and their environment. The suitability of domestic pigs, representing their feral relatives, to A. sculptum adults and nymphs was assessed experimentally. Tick infestation of feral pigs was strongly associated with that of the environment: 96 and 97 % of the ticks, respectively, were A. sculptum. The infestation prevalence on this host species was close to 90 % in the dry season and 100 % in the wet season and mean infestation intensity was above 30 ticks in both seasons. Suitability of pigs as hosts for A. sculptum was shown by the high proportion of nymphs and female ticks found engorging on captured feral pigs and adequate biological parameters displayed by ticks from experimental infestations of domestic pigs. Other tick species on feral pigs, albeit in much lower numbers, were Amblyomma parvum and Ornithodorus rostratus. Results show that feral pigs feed a high proportion of the A. sculptum adults and nymphs in their territories and should be a target for tick-borne diseases studies. This is particularly relevant to public health because all the main tick species found on feral pigs are aggressive to humans as well.

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TL;DR: This article investigated the clinical and pathological signs, specific IgG response and acquired immunity in naive New Zealand White rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) experimentally infested with Sarcoptes scabiei originally isolated from a clinically affected free-living European wild rabbit.

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TL;DR: Immature ticks (Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor marginatus) were collected from small rodents in the Northern Apennines, Italy, at an altitude up to 1650 m above sea level from 2009 through 2012, where I. ricinus was very rare or absent, and D. marginatus was found at the same location in studies carried out in 1994.

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TL;DR: It is suggested that farmers can reduce the likelihood and the severity of infestation of their plot as long as they are aware of factors causing the problem given their access to and management capacity of production resources.