Research Article

 

Morphological and Molecular Identification of Ticks Infested in Stray Dogs within Nay Pyi Taw Area, Myanmar

 

Myint Myint Hmoon1, Lat Lat Htun1, Soe Soe Wai2, May June Thu3, Si Thu Aung1, Hla Myet Chel1,3, Yu Nandi Thaw1, Shwe Yee Win1, Nyein Chan Soe1, Saw Bawm1*

1Department of Pharmacology and Parasitology, University of Veterinary Science, Nay Pyi Taw 15013, Myanmar; 2Department of Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Science, Nay Pyi Taw 15013, Myanmar; 3Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Japan.

 

Editor | Muhammad Nauman Zahid, Quality Operations Laboratory, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan.

Received | July 27, 2018 Accepted | August 12, 2018; Published | September 05, 2018

*Correspondence | Saw Bawm, Department of Pharmacology and Parasitology, University of Veterinary Science, Nay Pyi Taw 15013, Myanmar; Email: bestshadow@gmail.com

Citation | Hmoon MM, Htun LL, Wai SS, Thu MK, Aung ST, Chel HM, Thaw YN, Win SY, Soe NC, Bawm S (2018). Morphological and Molecular Identification of Ticks Infested in Stray Dogs within Nay Pyi Taw Area, Myanmar. S. Asian J. Life Sci. 6(2): 41-45.

DOI | http://dx.doi.org/10.17582/journal.sajls/2018/6.2.41.45

ISSN | 2311–0589

Copyright © 2018 Hmoon et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

 

INTRODUCTION

 

Worldwide, there is a growing recognition of the importance of tick-borne pathogens in dogs and humans, whichare transmitted by a number of different ixodid tick species (Nicholson et al., 2010). Rhipicephalus sanguineus, the brown dog tick, is the most widespread tick in the world and is a well-recognized vector of tick-borne pathogens affecting dogs and occasionally humans (Dantas-Torres, 2016). Rhipicephalus sanguineus transmits broad rangeof pathogens to dogs such as Babesia vogeli, Babesia gibsoni, Hepatozoon canis, Rickettsia conorii, Rickettsia rickettsii, Ehrlichia canis and Anaplasma platys (Jongejan and Uilenberg, 2004; Beugnet and Marie, 2009).

 

The accurate taxonomy of tick species is a very important to control tick-borne diseases. The morphological identification using light microscope (LM) clarifies mainly the size and color of tick species besides other obvious characteristics such as mouth parts, the outline of body and scutum (Abdel-Shafy, 2008). Traditionally, taxonomical identification of ticks was based on the criteria of adult ticks through LM or SEM, nonetheless, the applicability of this method is difficult when the specimens are engorged with blood, physically damaged, in immature stages; i.e. eggs, larvae, or nymphs (Caporale et al., 1995; Guglielmone et al., 2006) and very doubtful at subspecies and/or one group level; R. sanguineus group (Gray et al., 2013; Luiet al., 2013; Nava et al., 2015).

 

The number of pet dogs is increasing in Myanmarwhile the numbers of infected stray dogs are roaming at streets, fresh open markets, and other public places in Myanmar’s urban areas. As in many other countries, thedog has become a bonded family member. Among canine diseases, the zoonotic diseases are of significant importancein public health (Day, 2011; Irwin, 2014). Ticks are one of the most common ecto parasites in dogs and are involved in the transmission of a number of major diseases in both dogs and humans (Chomel, 2011; Dantas-Torres and Otranto, 2016). Along with the changes of climate and environmentalecosystem, increasing emerging and re-emerging tick-borne diseases and therefore ticks have been considered as the focus of extensive attention in recent years (Jongejan and Uilenberg, 2004; Liu et al., 2014). The increase in the pet dogpopulation and their close relationship with humans inMyanmar has created the need for research into the epidemiological status of ticks and the pathogens they transmit to pet dogs. However, there is very little information on morphological and genetically identification of ticks in Myanmar. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the morphological and molecular identification of tick species infested in stray dogs within Nay Pyi Taw area, Myanmar.

 

MATERIALS AND METHODS

 

Collection of Tick Samples

A total of 400 dogs were investigated for tick infestation. The inspected dogs were from Pyinmana, Lewe, Tatkon and Zeyar Thiri Township within Nay Pyi Taw area. These animals were examined for the presence of ticksin neck, chest area, and around the soft parts of theirbodies such as the inner sides of the hind and forelegs,perineal area, inner surface of ears and udders (Abdullah et al., 2016). Dogs were examined whether the ticks were present or not, andif present,ticks were collected by hand from the dogs. Nomore than 10 ticks were collected from each dog and placed in a collection tube containing a wet cotton ball. Each sample was registered and numbered.

 

Morphological Identification of Tick Vectors by LM

In accordance with the morphology of ticks, an observation was performed microscopically to determine their developmental stage (larval, nymph, adult) andspecies. Ticks were identified using recognized morphological keys (Parola et al., 2013). The collected ticks were counted and sorted to different, species, and sex using dissecting microscope. Tick species were identified morphologically using taxonomic keys of Estrada-Pena et al. (2004). The identification of tick species were morphologically examined in details using LM, especially the dorsal and ventral surfaces of adult males and females. The adult ticks in these two positions were photographed by digital camera fixed on stereo microscope.

 

Extraction of Tick DNA

Before the extraction procedure, individual ticks were disinfected by immersion into 70% ethanol for 5 min, rinsed in sterile water and dried with sterile filter paper. Tick samples were homogenized by Micro Smash MS-100R homogenizer (TOMY MEDI Co., Ltd., Japan) and then theywere subjected to DNA extraction using the DNAZol® (genomic DNA isolation reagent) (Molecular Research Center, USA) in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. DNA was eluted in a final volume of 200μl and kept at -20 °C until tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

 

PCR Amplification of Target Sequences

The amplification reactions were performed in 25 μl total volumes under complete aseptic conditions. Each PCR mixture contained 1μl of genomic DNA, 0.5μlof (10 μM) forward and reverse primers, 12.5 μl of ×2 Gflex PCR buffer (Mg2+, dNTP plus) (TAKARA BIO INC., Japan), 0.5 μl of Tks Gflex DNA polymerase (TAKARA BIO INC., Japan), and 10μl nuclease free water (Qiagen) to completethe total volume of the reactions. PCR amplification for 16S rRNA gene fragment was done as previously described (Ushijima et al., 2003).The primers were used Mt-rrs 1 (CTGCTCAATGATTTTTTAAATTGCTGTGG) and Mt-rrs2 (CCGGTCTGAACTCAGATCAAGTA) for the product (401-416 bp).PCR amplifications was performed in a Simpli Ampthermal cycler (Applied Biosystem, USA) utilizing the following cycling profile; one cycle at 94°C for 1 min (initial denaturation).The PCR protocol of 16S rDNA was amplified according to the following: 40 cycles denaturation at 94°C for 1 min, annealing at 55°C for 30 sec andelongation at 68°C for 30 sec, and the final elongation at 68°C for 5 min.The PCR products were visualized by electrophoresis on 1.5 % agarose gels stained with RedSafeTM (INtRON Biotechnology, USA).

 

Sequence and Phylogenetic Analysis

Randomly selected positive PCR products were purified using the NucleoSpin® and PCR Clean-up Kit (MACHEREY-NAGEL, Düren, Germany) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Purified PCR products were sequenced with ABI 3130 genetic analyzer (Model 3130; Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA, USA) with forward and reverse primers. Nucleotide sequences were compared with GenBank entries using NCBI BLAST.Multiple sequence alignments of amplicons and 16S rRNA sequences from GenBank were performed using the ClustalW Version 1.8 (Thompson et al., 1994). Phylogenetic trees were inferred using neighbor-joining (NJ) analysis by MEGA software Version 7.0 (Kumar et al., 2016). The distance matrix of nucleotide divergences was calculated according to Kimura’s two-parameter model furnished by MEGA. A bootstrap resampling technique of 1000 replications was performed to statistically support the reliabilities of the nodes on the trees.

 

 

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

 

Morphological and Molecular Identification of Tick Species

A total of 237 ticks were collected from 44 dogs during this investigation. All ticks were collected from four Townships within Nay Pyi Taw area. The ticks collected were of the three development stages i.e., larval, nymphal and adult ticks, where adults, nymphs and larvae counted for (217/237) 91.6%, (20/237) 8.4% and (0/237) 0%, respectively.All stages were identified and the species identified were Rhipicephalus sanguineus (237/237).The key characteristics of adult female and male of the brown dog tick, R. sanguineus are as described by Walker et al. (2014). Interstitial punctation size is small to medium. Interstitial punctation distribution is sparse. Coxae 1 anterior spurs are not visible dorsally. Cervical field depression is not apparent. Cervical field texture has no wrinkles. Eyes are slightly convex. Genital aperture posterior lips have a broad U shape (but may have a broad V shape). Conscutum colour is pale (but may be dark in some populations). Accessory adanal plates are large. Adanal plates shape is narrow and trapezoid (but tends towards a broad and curved appearance). Posterior grooves are distinct (deep and wide with wrinkled texture) (Figure 1).

 

 

The sequences obtained (accession no. LC422405) was compared by using BLAST (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/blast) with sequences available at GenBank. Sequences obtained were similar to that of R. sanguineus reported from Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Thailand and China (GenBank accession no. KR653223, KX632154, KP830114, KC170744 and DQ093297) with similarities of 100% (Figure 2).

 

 

Nowadays, the contact between wild and domestic animals, animals and human aswell as animals, human and vectors are increasing (Wieten et al., 2011; Gargili et al., 2012; Keysary et al., 2011; Socolovschi et al, 2011; Movila et al., 2012). In addition, the studies on emerging and reemerging infectious diseases are also increasing due to their public health implication, zoonotic importance. Therefore, the accurate taxonomy of tick is a very important to control tick-borne diseases. Molecular techniques are needed to improve the sensitivity and specificity of the identification of tick species. Therefore, this study was designed to achieve two goals. The firstgoal is to determine the ixodid tick species infesting dogs by LM. The second goal is to illustrate the accurate taxonomic status of the most common ticks, the brown dog tick R. sanguineus, using a molecular analysis.

 

The brown dog tick R. sanguineus is the unique tick species that was found on dogs recording 100% infestation (Hoogstraal and Kaiser, 1958; Haridy et al., 2009). Many tick species have been identified on dogs in SEA, but the brown dog tick, R. sanguineus, is the most significant in terms of its prevalence (Tanskul et al. 1983; Kolonin, 1995; Petney and Keirans, 1996). The findings of this study reveal the fact that R. sanguineus is still the main dog tick in Myanmar which agrees with previous reports.

 

CONCLUSIONS

 

Rhipicephalus sanguineus is of great significance in both veterinary andhuman medicine, primarily because of its role as a vector of several pathogens, though the ticks themselves can cause clinical illnessin heavy infestations of dogs. The present studies proved that R. sanguineus is common tick species infesting in dogs around Nay Pyi Taw area. In addition, the establishment of the phylogenetic status of R. sanguineus would be useful in understanding the distribution of ticks in Nay Pyi Taw area.

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

 

This research was supported by Laboratory of Parasitology, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Japan. The authors are grateful to Prof. Dr. Ken Katakura and Associate Prof. Dr. Ryo Nakao, Laboratory of Parasitology, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Japan their supporting and cooperation.

 

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

 

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

 

AUTHORS’ CONTRIBUTION

 

All authors contributed equally in research and writing of manuscript.

 

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