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In vitro feeding of instars of the ixodid tick Amblyomma variegatum on skin membranes and its application to the transmission of Theileria mutans and Cowdria ruminantium

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 April 2009

W. P. Voigt ,
A. S. Young ,
S. N. Mwaura ,
S. G. Nyaga ,
G. M. Njihia ,
F. N. Mwakima  and
S. P. Morzaria
W. P. Voigt
Affiliation:
The International Laboratory for Research on Animal Diseases, P.O. Box 30709, Nairobi, Kenya
A. S. Young
Affiliation:
The International Laboratory for Research on Animal Diseases, P.O. Box 30709, Nairobi, Kenya
S. N. Mwaura
Affiliation:
The International Laboratory for Research on Animal Diseases, P.O. Box 30709, Nairobi, Kenya
S. G. Nyaga
Affiliation:
The International Laboratory for Research on Animal Diseases, P.O. Box 30709, Nairobi, Kenya
G. M. Njihia
Affiliation:
The International Laboratory for Research on Animal Diseases, P.O. Box 30709, Nairobi, Kenya
F. N. Mwakima
Affiliation:
The International Laboratory for Research on Animal Diseases, P.O. Box 30709, Nairobi, Kenya
S. P. Morzaria
Affiliation:
The International Laboratory for Research on Animal Diseases, P.O. Box 30709, Nairobi, Kenya
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Summary

An in vitro feeding method using rabbit or cattle skin membranes, applied successfully to all stages (larvae, nymphae and adults) of the ixodid tick, Amblyomma variegatum, is described. The feeding apparatus consisted of a blood container with a membrane placed on top of a tick containment unit. A carbon dioxide atmosphere of between 5 and 10% and a temperature of 37 °C were used as stimulants for the attachment of the ticks. High CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere improved the feeding success of all instars. The effect of anticoagulation methods for the bloodmeal was investigated, and heparinized blood was found to be the most suitable for tick feeding. When the bloodmeal was replaced by tissue culture medium for feeding nymphs the subsequent moulting success was reduced. Adult ticks of both sexes remained attached for up to 16 days, until completion of their bloodmeals. All stages of the tick fed on whole blood in the artificial feeding system and all reached engorged weights less than those achieved by control ticks fed on experimental animals. A large proportion of ticks, fed artificially on whole blood, moulted or laid eggs successfully. The method was successfully applied for the transmission of Theileria mutans and Cowdria ruminantium to cattle.

Keywords

Amblyomma variegatumskin membranesartificial feedingdisease transmissionTheileria mutansCowdria ruminantium
Type
Research Article
Information
Parasitology , Volume 107 , Issue 3 , September 1993 , pp. 257 - 263
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1993

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