Occurrence of ticks in dogs in a hospital population in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil / Ocorrência de carrapatos em cães de população hospitalar no Espírito Santo

Ticks, along with fleas, are considered the main ectoparasites affecting dogs in Brazil. The literature is rich in reports on the occurrence of ticks, which are vectors of diseases in both dogs and humans. The study of the epidemiology of these arthropods provides important data that can help control the infestation in residential areas where dogs are present. Thus, the study of their occurrence in urban areas and veterinary services is very important. The aim of the present study was to determine the occurrence of ticks in dogs in a veterinary hospital population in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil. Over a one-year period (July 2012 to July 2013), 1483 dogs brought to veterinary services in south-eastern Brazil were examined. Among the dogs examined, 8.97% presented tick infestation, of which 100% were identified as Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato. Given that this species of tick acts as a vector for diseases, it is important that the official health services monitor the occurrence of infestation in dogs and humans, in order to identify diseases transmitted by these ticks in this region.(AU)

Os carrapatos, juntamente com as pulgas, são considerados, no Brasil, como os principais ectoparasitas do cão. A literatura é rica em relatos considerando a ocorrência de carrapatos, que são vetores de doenças para cães e humanos. O estudo da epidemiologia de artrópodes é um dado importante que pode ajudar a controlar a infestação em áreas domiciliadas com a presença de cães. Nesse sentido, o estudo de sua ocorrência em áreas urbanas e ou mesmo em serviços médicos veterinários é importante. O objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar a ocorrência de carrapatos em cães em uma população hospitalar do estado de Espírito Santo, Brasil. Durante um ano (julho de 2012 a julho de 2013), foram examinados 1483 cães atendidos em serviços hospitalares no sudeste do Brasil. Entre os cães examinados, 8,97% apresentaram infestação de carrapatos, sendo 100% deles identificados como Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato. Uma vez que se trata de uma espécie de carrapato que atua como vetor de doenças, é importante que os serviços oficiais de saúde mantenham um monitoramento da ocorrência de infestação tanto em cães como em humanos, a fim de identificar doenças transmitidas por esses carrapatos nesta região.(AU)

[(THE RARE CASE OF THE RHIPICEPHALUS TICKS BREEDING IN IRKUTSK)].

The rare case of the Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806) emerging focal breeding in Irkutsk in autumn 2015 is observed.

Mathematical modelling of the impact of climatic conditions in France on Rhipicephalus sanguineus tick activity and density since 1960.

Rhipicephalus sanguineus, the brown dog tick, has a worldwide distribution in areas with a relatively warm climate, including mild winters. This tick plays an important role as vector for various animal and human pathogens, including bacteria and protozoa. Based on precise daily meteorological data from the past 40 years, combined with mathematical modelling designed to predict tick activity, two modelling approaches were developed. The first examined the evolution of the number of weeks with favourable biological conditions for ticks in four French cities located at various latitudes of the country: Nîmes in the south, Paris in the north, Lyon in the east and Nantes in the west. The second analysed the extension of the geographical surface area in km(2) where the biological conditions favour tick activity for at least 12 weeks per year. Both analyses revealed clear evidence of increased temperatures coupled with an augmented tick activity index in three of the four cities. However, the change was not significant in Nîmes, where the climate is Mediterranean and the tick is already endemic. For Paris, Lyon and Nantes, the activity index values have increased significantly, i.e. by 4.4%, 4.0% and 3.4%, respectively. The distribution of the activity index values is evolving strongly with significantly fewer values below 50% since the 1960s and a clear decrease of values between 20% and 50% during the latest decade. Between 1960 and 2000, the theoretical extension of the surface area where the climatic index is suitable for R. sanguineus has increased by 66%. Even though several other important factors, such as changes in biotopes or human activity, are not included in this study, the resulting patterns and trends are noticeable. Our models constitute the first demonstration of the impact of climate change on the activity and distribution of ticks and confirm the observed northward migration trend for this Mediterranean domestic tick.