The ability of Amblyomma americanum, Amblyomma cajennense, Amblyomma maculatum, and Amblyomma variegatum to acquire and transmit Cowdria ruminantium infection was investigated. Uninfected nymphs were fed on clinically reacting C. ruminantium-infected sheep and then analyzed for infection by specific DNA detection assays and by tick transmission trials. By polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the mean infection prevalence of A. maculatum ticks (50.7%) was similar to that of A. variegatum, Elevage strain (43.5%; P = 0.83) and Petit Bourg strain (45.9%; P = 0.26) ticks. Though Amblyomma hebraeum were not tested by PCR, by DNA probe their infection prevalence was 94%. In contrast, A. americanum and A. cajennense ticks demonstrated very low susceptibility to C. ruminantium, and the prevalence of infection by PCR was approximately 1%. The higher susceptibility of A. maculatum and A. variegatum to C. ruminantium correlated with superior vector efficiency, depicted by similar prepatent periods and severity of disease transmissions to sheep. Amblyomma americanum and A. cajennense failed to transmit infection, confirming that low susceptibility to C. ruminantium correlates with the poor vector status of these species. These results highlight the importance of A. maculatum as a potential vector that is likely to play a major role in the establishment and maintenance of heartwater, if the disease were to be introduced to the U.S.A., Central, and South America.
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February 2000
Research Article|
February 01 2000
COMPARISON OF EFFICACY OF AMERICAN AND AFRICAN AMBLYOMMA TICKS AS VECTORS OF HEARTWATER (COWDRIA RUMINANTIUM) INFECTION BY MOLECULAR ANALYSES AND TRANSMISSION TRIALS
Suman M. Mahan;
Suman M. Mahan
University of Florida/USAID/SADC Heartwater Research Project, Central Veterinary Diagnostic and Research Laboratory, P.O. Box CY 551, Causeway, Harare, Zimbabwe
* Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Box 11080, Gainesville, Florida 32611.
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Trevor F. Peter;
Trevor F. Peter
University of Florida/USAID/SADC Heartwater Research Project, Central Veterinary Diagnostic and Research Laboratory, P.O. Box CY 551, Causeway, Harare, Zimbabwe
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Bigboy H. Simbi;
Bigboy H. Simbi
University of Florida/USAID/SADC Heartwater Research Project, Central Veterinary Diagnostic and Research Laboratory, P.O. Box CY 551, Causeway, Harare, Zimbabwe
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Katherine Kocan;
Katherine Kocan
University of Florida/USAID/SADC Heartwater Research Project, Central Veterinary Diagnostic and Research Laboratory, P.O. Box CY 551, Causeway, Harare, Zimbabwe
† Department of Anatomy, Pathology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078-2007.
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Emmanuel Camus;
Emmanuel Camus
University of Florida/USAID/SADC Heartwater Research Project, Central Veterinary Diagnostic and Research Laboratory, P.O. Box CY 551, Causeway, Harare, Zimbabwe
†† CIRAD-EMVT, BP 515, 97165 Pointe-à-Pitre Cedex, Guadeloupe, French West Indies.
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Anthony F. Barbet;
Anthony F. Barbet
University of Florida/USAID/SADC Heartwater Research Project, Central Veterinary Diagnostic and Research Laboratory, P.O. Box CY 551, Causeway, Harare, Zimbabwe
* Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Box 11080, Gainesville, Florida 32611.
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Michael J. Burridge
Michael J. Burridge
University of Florida/USAID/SADC Heartwater Research Project, Central Veterinary Diagnostic and Research Laboratory, P.O. Box CY 551, Causeway, Harare, Zimbabwe
* Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Box 11080, Gainesville, Florida 32611.
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J Parasitol (2000) 86 (1): 44–49.
Citation
Suman M. Mahan, Trevor F. Peter, Bigboy H. Simbi, Katherine Kocan, Emmanuel Camus, Anthony F. Barbet, Michael J. Burridge; COMPARISON OF EFFICACY OF AMERICAN AND AFRICAN AMBLYOMMA TICKS AS VECTORS OF HEARTWATER (COWDRIA RUMINANTIUM) INFECTION BY MOLECULAR ANALYSES AND TRANSMISSION TRIALS. J Parasitol 1 February 2000; 86 (1): 44–49. doi: https://doi.org/10.1645/0022-3395(2000)086[0044:COEOAA]2.0.CO;2
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