Prevalence and distribution of pathogen infection and permethrin resistance in tropical and temperate populations ofRhipicephalus sanguineuss.l. collected worldwide

The brown dog tick,Rhipicephalus sanguineussensu lato (s.l.) Latreille (Acari: Ixodidae), is a peridomestic, cosmopolitan parasite of dogs known to vector numerous pathogens of veterinary and medical importance. Recent phylogenetic analyses separate this tick into temperate and tropical lineages. Populations ofRh. sanguineuss.l. have been reported to exhibit sodium channel target site insensitivity to permethrin and etofenprox, which is likely due to the prolonged use of pyrethroids against many pests in and around the home. In this study, populations collected in the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, Europe and North America, were tested to identify the distribution of a known resistance mechanism, pathogen-vector interactions and phylogeny in relation to latitude. Using molecular assays, populations from 29 distinct locations were simultaneously geographically typed and screened for bacterial infection byRickettsia,Ehrlichia,BabesiaandHepatozoonspecies,and for the presence of a sodium channel single nucleotide polymorphism known to confer permethrin resistance. Implications of these results onRh. sanguineuss.l. management in association with geographical distribution will be discussed.

Automated summary

This study tested populations of the brown dog tick from various regions globally to identify the distribution of resistance mechanisms, pathogen-vector interactions, and phylogeny in relation to latitude. The results shed light on the geographical distribution of known resistance mechanisms and provide insights into the interactions between pathogens and vectors.