The geographic limits and life history of the tropical brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus linnaei (Audouin, 1826), in Australia with notes on the spread of Ehrlichia canis

Int J Parasitol. 2024 Apr 10:S0020-7519(24)00074-2. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2024.04.004. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTThe tropical brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus linnaei, is a tick of much medical, veterinary, and zoonotic importance. This tick has a nearly world-wide distribution due to its ability to survive and propagate in kennels and houses. Rhipicephalus linnaei is the vector of Ehrlichia canis, the causative agent of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis, an often debilitating disease of canids and, occasionally, humans. To prevent incursion of E. canis into Australia, dogs entering Australia have been required to have a negative immunofluorescence antibody test for E. canis. In May 2020 however, E. canis was detected in Western Australia. The detection of E. canis in Australia prompted disease investigation and concerted surveillance for R. linnaei and E. canis in regions across Australia. These investigations revealed that R. linnaei was established far beyond the previously recognised geographic limits of this tick. In the present paper, using records from various collections, published data, and data from our network of veterinarian collaborators and colleagues, we update the current geographic limits of R. linnaei in Australia. Our analyses revealed that the geographic range of R. linnaei in Australia is much wider than was previously supposed, particularly in Western Australia, and in South Australia. We also map, for the first time, where E. canis has been detected in Aus...
Source: International Journal for Parasitology - Category: Parasitology Authors: Source Type: research