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Island hitchhikers: pathogen agents of Madeira and Azores ticks
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Orientador(es)
Resumo(s)
Ticks are blood-sucking arthropods that can transmit pathogens to their host. As insular ecosystems can enhance tick-host
interactions, this study aimed to understand tick diversity, pathogen presence, and their respective associations in the Azores
and Madeira archipelagos. Unfed or partially engorged ticks (n = 120) were collected from 58 cats and dogs in the Azores
(n = 41 specimens) and Madeira (n = 79 specimens) from November 2018 to March 2019. Vector identification was based
on morphology and molecular criteria. For pathogen sequencing, 18S gene fragment for Babesia/Hepatozoon and gltA for
Rickettsia were performed. Sequence data was explored using BLAST and BLAST and phylogenetic inference tools. In the
Azores, Ixodes hexagonus, I. ventalloi, and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (n = 6; 14.6%, n = 6; 14.6%, and n = 29; 70.7% respec-
tively) were found and in Madeira I. ricinus and R. sanguineus (n = 78, 98.7%; and n = 1, 1.3%; respectively) were identified.
Tick COI markers confirmed species highlighting confirmation of R. sanguineus s.s. and genotype A of I. ventalloi. In the
Azores Islands, the detected Rickettsia massiliae was linked to R. sanguineus (dogs and cats) and I. hexagonus (dogs), and
in Madeira Island, R. monacensis (dogs) and Hepatozoon silvestris (cats) were found associated with I. ricinus. Further, I.
ventalloi presence in the Azores expands west its known range, and Hepatozoon silvestris in Madeira may suggest that I.
ricinus could have a role as a potential vector. Finally, as R. massiliae and R. monacensis presence underlines public health
risks, surveillance by health authorities is crucial as pathogen-tick interactions may drive disease spread, therefore monitor-
ing remains pivotal for disease prevention.
Descrição
Palavras-chave
Ixodes ventalloi Hepatozoon silvestris Pets Madeira Island Azores Islands
Contexto Educativo
Citação
Rosa, Fernanda, et al. «Island Hitchhikers: Pathogen Agents of Madeira and Azores Ticks». Parasitology Research, vol. 123, n.o 7, julho de 2024, p. 261. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-024-08278-y
Editora
Springer