BACKGROUND: Union of the Comoros suffered a severe East Coast Fever epidemic in 2004. Rhipicephalus appendiculatus was probably involved in pathogen transmission as this competent tick species, although previously absent from Comoros, was sampled on 4 animals on one geographical site during the epidemic. We carried out an entomological survey on all three islands of Union of the Comoros to establish cattle tick species distribution with a special emphasis on R. appendiculatus. We investigated R. appendiculatus intraspecific diversity as this species has been previously shown to be split off into two main cytoplasmic lineages with different ecology, physiology and vectorial competence. This survey also included sampling of live cattle imported from Tanzania to investigate the possibility of tick introduction through animal trade. RESULTS: Our data show that Comoros cattle are infested with Amblyomma variegatum, Rhipicephalus microplus and R. appendiculatus. This latter species has established throughout Grande Comore but is absent from Anjouan and Moheli. Interestingly, 43 out of the 47 sequenced R. appendiculatus ticks belong to one single highly competent lineage while ticks from the other lineage where only found on imported cattle or on cattle parked at the vicinity of the harbor. At last, 2 ticks identified as R. evertsi, a species so far virtually absent on Comoros, were sampled on imported cattle. CONCLUSIONS: This survey shows that importation of live cattle is clearly a source of vector introduction in Comoros. The wide distribution of one highly competent R. appendiculatus lineage on Grande Comore, together with the absence of this species on the two neighbouring islands is in accordance with the rapid and disastrous spread of East Coast Fever epidemics on Grande Comore Island only. Whether the other R. appendiculatus lineage as well as R. evertsi species will succeed in establishing permanently on Grande Comore needs to be monitored.
BACKGROUND: Union of the Comoros suffered a severe East Coast Fever epidemic in 2004. Rhipicephalus appendiculatus was probably involved in pathogen transmission as this competent tick species, although previously absent from Comoros, was sampled on 4 animals on one geographical site during the epidemic. We carried out an entomological survey on all three islands of Union of the Comoros to establish cattle tick species distribution with a special emphasis on R. appendiculatus. We investigated R. appendiculatus intraspecific diversity as this species has been previously shown to be split off into two main cytoplasmic lineages with different ecology, physiology and vectorial competence. This survey also included sampling of live cattle imported from Tanzania to investigate the possibility of tick introduction through animal trade. RESULTS: Our data show that Comoros cattle are infested with Amblyomma variegatum, Rhipicephalus microplus and R. appendiculatus. This latter species has established throughout Grande Comore but is absent from Anjouan and Moheli. Interestingly, 43 out of the 47 sequenced R. appendiculatus ticks belong to one single highly competent lineage while ticks from the other lineage where only found on imported cattle or on cattle parked at the vicinity of the harbor. At last, 2 ticks identified as R. evertsi, a species so far virtually absent on Comoros, were sampled on imported cattle. CONCLUSIONS: This survey shows that importation of live cattle is clearly a source of vector introduction in Comoros. The wide distribution of one highly competent R. appendiculatus lineage on Grande Comore, together with the absence of this species on the two neighbouring islands is in accordance with the rapid and disastrous spread of East Coast Fever epidemics on Grande Comore Island only. Whether the other R. appendiculatus lineage as well as R. evertsi species will succeed in establishing permanently on Grande Comore needs to be monitored.
Authors: N Speybroeck; M Madder; H H Thulke; J Mtambo; L Tirry; G Chaka; T Marcotty; D Berkvens Journal: J Vector Ecol Date: 2004-12 Impact factor: 1.671
Authors: S Kaewmongkol; G Kaewmongkol; N Inthong; N Lakkitjaroen; T Sirinarumitr; C M Berry; N N Jonsson; R W Stich; S Jittapalapong Journal: Exp Appl Acarol Date: 2015-03-17 Impact factor: 2.132
Authors: Gaston S Amzati; Appolinaire Djikeng; David O Odongo; Herman Nimpaye; Kgomotso P Sibeko; Jean-Berckmans B Muhigwa; Maxime Madder; Nathalie Kirschvink; Tanguy Marcotty Journal: Parasit Vectors Date: 2019-12-16 Impact factor: 3.876
Authors: Lionel Nyabongo; David O Odongo; Gad Milton; Eunice Machuka; Patrick Vudriko; Roger Pelle; Esther G Kanduma Journal: PLoS One Date: 2021-12-10 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Clare D Marsden; Anthony Cornel; Yoosook Lee; Michelle R Sanford; Laura C Norris; Parker B Goodell; Catelyn C Nieman; Sarah Han; Amabelia Rodrigues; Joao Denis; Ahmed Ouledi; Gregory C Lanzaro Journal: Evol Appl Date: 2013-02-22 Impact factor: 5.183