Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-fscjk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-27T13:21:25.919Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Comparison of the survival of Theileria parva-infected adult Rhipicephalus appendiculatus (Acari: Ixodidae) and their infection under simulated climate conditions in the laboratory and in the field

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 February 2007

H. Ochanda*
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, University of Nairobi, PO Box 30197-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
Get access

Abstract

Five groups of adult Rhipicephalus appendiculatus Neumann, with an average of 98 Theileria parva-infected salivary gland acini per tick, were exposed to four different temperature conditions in the laboratory or to quasi-natural conditions in Kenya. The survival of the infected ticks and T. parva parasites in their salivary glands were determined over time. Ticks kept under quasi-natural conditions survived up to 86 weeks. This period was longer than that of ticks exposed to any of the four laboratory conditions, except the diurnal temperature rhythm of 13–23 °C and 85% relative humidity (RH) to which it was comparable. Theileria parva survived for 82 weeks in ticks exposed to quasi-natural conditions, a period which was much longer than that of the parasites in ticks maintained under any of the laboratory conditions. Survival of the infected ticks and their infections seemed to be adversely affected by higher temperatures in the laboratory or drought in the field. There was an apparent density-dependent influence in parasite survival, with a dramatic fall in infection occurring in the more highly infected ticks before stabilizing at lower levels.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 2006

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Bailey, K. P. (1960) Notes on the rearing of Rhipicephalus appendiculatus and their infection with Theileria parva for experimental transmission. Bulletin of Epizootic Diseases of Africa 8, 3343.Google Scholar
Billiouw, M., Mataa, L., Marcotty, T., Chaka, G., Brandt, J. and Berkvens, D. (1999) The current epidemiological status of bovine theileriosis in eastern Zambia. Tropical Medicine and International Health 4, A28A33CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Branagan, D. (1973) Observations on the development and survival of the ixodid tick Rhipicephalus appendiculatus (Neumann, 1901) under quasi-natural conditions in Kenya. Tropical Animal Health Production 5, 153165.Google Scholar
Brocklesby, D. W., Barnett, S. F. and Scott, G. R. (1961) Morbidity and mortality rates of East Coast fever ( Theileria parva infection) and their application to drug screening procedures. British Veterinary Journal 117, 529531.Google Scholar
Büscher, G. and Otim, B. (1986) Quantitative studies on Theileria parva in the salivary glands of Rhipicephalus appendiculatus adults: Quantitation and prediction of infection. International Journal for Parasitology 16, 93100.Google Scholar
Dallwitz, M. J., Young, A. S., Mahoney, D. F. and Sutherst, R. W. (1986) Comparative epidemiology of tick-borne disease with special emphasis on modelling, 629637. Parasitology Quo Vadis, (Edited by Howell, M. J.) Australian Academy of Science, Canberra.Google Scholar
Dolan, T. T., Young, A. S., Losos, G. J., McMillan, I., Minder, C. H. E. and Soulsby, K. (1984) Dose dependent responses of cattle to Theileria parva stabilate infection. International Journal for Parasitology 14, 8995.Google Scholar
Fielden, L. J.Rechav, Y. (1996) Survival of six species of African ticks in relation to saturation deficits. Experimental and Applied Acarology 20, 625637.Google Scholar
Lewis, E. A. (1950) Conditions affecting the East Coast fever parasite in ticks and in cattle. East Africa Agricultural Journal 16, 6583.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lewis, E. A.Fotheringham, W. (1941) The transmission of Theileria parva by ticks. Parasitology 33, 251277.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Martin, H. M., Barnett, S. F. and Vidler, B. O. (1964) Cyclic development and longevity of Theileria parva in the tick, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus. Experimental Parasitology 15, 527555.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Moll, G., Lohding, A. S., Young, A. S. and Leitch, B. L. (1986) Epidemiology of theileriosis in calves in an endemic area of Kenya. Veterinary Parasitology 19, 255273.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mukhebi, A. W., Perry, B. D. and Kruska, R. (1992) Estimated economics of theileriosis control in Africa. Preventive Veterinary Medicine 12, 7385.Google Scholar
Newson, R. M., Chiera, J. W., Young, A. S., Dolan, T. T., Cunningham, M. P. and Radley, D. E. (1984) Survival of Rhipicephalus appendiculatus (Acarina: Ixodidae) and persistence of Theileria parva (Apicomplexa: Theileriidae) in the field. International Journal for Parasitology 14, 483489.Google Scholar
Norval, R. A. I., Perry, B. D. and Young, A. S. (1992) The Epidemiology of Theileriosis in Africa Academic Press, London481 pp.Google Scholar
Ochanda, H., Young, A. S., Wells, C., Medley, G. F. and Perry, B. D. (1996) Comparison of the transmission of Theileria parva between different instars of Rhipicephalus appendiculatus. Parasitology 113, 243253.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Perry, B. D., Lessard, P., Norval, R. A. I., Kundert, K. and Kruska, R. (1990) Climate, vegetation and the distribution of Rhipicephalus appendiculatus in Africa. Parasitology Today 6, 100104.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Radley, D. E., Brown, C. G. D., Burridge, M. J., Cunningham, M. P., Pierce, M. A. and Purnell, R. E. (1974) East Coast fever: Quantitative studies of Theileria parva in cattle. Experimental Parasitology 36, 278287.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Theiler, A. (1905) Further experiments to note how long an area remains infected with East Coast fever. Transvaal Journal of Agriculture 3, 700706.Google Scholar
Uilenberg, G. (1999) Immunization of diseases caused by Theileria parva: A review. Tropical Medicine and International Health 4, A12A20Google Scholar
Young, A. S. and Leitch, B. L. (1981) Epidemiology of East Coast fever: Some effects of temperature on the development of Theileria parva in the tick vector, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus. Parasitology 83, 199211.Google Scholar
Young, A. S., Leitch, B. L., Dolan, T. T., Newson, R. M., Ngumi, P. L. and Omwoyo, P. L. (1983) Transmission of Theileria parva by a population of Rhipicephalus appendiculatus under simulated natural conditions. Parasitology 86, 255267.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Young, A. S., Leitch, B. L., Morzaria, S. P., Irvin, A. D., Omwoyo, P. L., De Castro, J. J. (1987) Development and survival of Theileria parva parva in Rhipicephalus appendiculatus exposed in the Trans-Mara, Kenya. Parasitology 94, 433441.Google Scholar