Abundance and seasonal activity of Haemaphysalis concinna (Acari: Ixodidae) at the border between China and Russia in Northern Inner Mongolia, China

Abstract

BackgroundHaemaphysalis concinna, a three-host tick vector of several pathogens, poses a high risk to the health of humans and livestock. However, knowledge of the seasonal activities, relative density and other ecological characteristics of this tick is quite limited and fragmentary. This knowledge gap represents a bottleneck in our understanding of the health risks associated with tick-borne pathogens.MethodsWe conducted a two-year study from April 2012 to March 2014 in Northern Inner Mongolia situated on the China-Russia border, China, to investigate the seasonal activities and relative density of the three developmental stages of H. concinna. During the study period, feeding ticks were removed weekly from domestic sheep and their attachment sites were recorded. Questing ticks were collected weekly from five habitats (broadleaf forest, coniferous forest, shrubs, grassland and mixed coniferous forest) using the flagging-dragging method of capture. Rodents were captured and examined on two consecutive nights each week from June to September in 2012.ResultsH. concinna ticks were found mainly in shrubs and grasslands habitats. Adults were encountered from February to October with the major peak occurring in June. Larvae, which were observed mainly from late April to late September, reached peak numbers in late July. Nymphs were observed mainly from March to October, and their numbers peaked in early July. H. concinna adults and nymphs were found attached to sheep and their most favored sites of attachment were the face and ears. H. concinna larvae were found on two rodent species, Apodemus peninsulae and Eutamias sibiricus.ConclusionThe relative density and seasonal activities of H. concinna have been systematically reported for Northern Inner Mongolia, China. The information about the hosts infested by H. concinna and its preferred attachment sites on sheep will help efforts to control this tick and the tick-borne diseases carried by it.

Molecular characterization and multilocus genotypes of Enterocytozoon bieneusi among horses in southwestern China

“…Genotypes horse1 and horse2 have frequently been described in horses and have been identified in Colombia [20], the Czech Republic [18], Algeria [19] and China [16]. Genotype D is the most common genotype in humans and animals and has been detected in over 25 animal species [12, 21–24]. Genotype SC02 was the first to be identified in horse and has been found to have various hosts, such as Tibetan blue bear, Asiatic black bear, sun bear and northern raccoon [12].…”

“…Genotype D is the most common genotype in humans and animals and has been detected in over 25 animal species [12, 21–24]. Genotype SC02 was the first to be identified in horse and has been found to have various hosts, such as Tibetan blue bear, Asiatic black bear, sun bear and northern raccoon [12]. …”

“…By phylogenetic analysis, the ITS genotypes of E. bieneusi have been divided into nine different groups [10, 11]. A large cluster (group 1) includes 94 % of the published genotypes of E. bieneusi , and has been established to have zoonotic potential [12]. In contrast, the remaining eight major clusters (groups 2–9) have mostly been found in specific hosts and wastewater [13, 14].…”

Towards the implementation of malaria elimination policy in South Africa: the stakeholders’ perspectives

“…The suddenly increasing numbers of malaria cases and deaths, at a time when the gains need to be consolidated, are concerning. However, this phenomenon is not unique to South Africa, as neighbouring Botswana experienced outbreaks in the Okavango district in 2013 and 2014, soon after celebrating significant malaria incidence reduction [40]. The central question about whether malaria elimination is achievable or not received mixed views.…”

“…Key amongst these are the human movements [40]. In fact, one of the most important shortcomings of the Global Malaria Eradication Programme of 1955–1969 was the dependence on single interventions and the failure to change control measures as the malaria situation evolved [11].…”