Control of an exotic tick (Aponomma komodoense) infestation in a Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) exhibit at a zoo in Florida.

A protocol was developed to control an exotic tick (Aponomma komodoense) infestation on three Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis) at a Florida zoo without direct application of acaricides to the lizards. With the Komodo dragons secured within their indoor pens, their outdoor enclosures and the exhibition area were sprayed with a formulation of permethrin prepared specifically for use with reptiles. Once the acaricide had dried, the Komodo dragons were allowed to return to their outdoor enclosures, whereupon the indoor pens were closed and sprayed with the same formulation.

Control and eradication of chelonian tick infestations, with particular reference to vectors of heartwater.

Studies using the African tortoise tick (Amblyomma marmoreum) and leopard tortoises (Geochelone pardalis) demonstrated that cyfluthrin and permethrin were safe and efficacious acaricides for control of Amblyomma ticks on tortoises. A protocol was developed that successfully eradicated an A. sparsum infestation from a tortoise breeding facility in Florida.

Increasing risks of introduction of heartwater onto the American mainland associated with animal movements.

Opportunities to introduce heartwater onto the American mainland through animal movements include importation from Africa of tick-infested reptiles and of subclinically infected wild ungulates and importation of livestock from islands in the Caribbean infested with Amblyomma variegatum ticks. Measures to control importation of heartwater vectors on reptiles include importation bans of infested species, treatment of imported reptiles, and eradication of established infestations on the American mainland. Measures to control importation of infected wildlife must focus on improved methods, such as the PCR assay, of screening animals to prevent the entry of carriers of Cowdria ruminantium.

Evaluation of safety and efficacy of acaricides for control of the African tortoise tick (Amblyomma marmoreum) on leopard tortoises (Geochelone pardalis).

Nine acaricides (amitraz, carbaryl, chlorpyrifos, cyfluthrin, fipronil, lindane, permethrin, phenothrin, and pyrethrins) were studied for their efficacy in killing the African tortoise tick (Amblyomma marmoreum). Only four of the acaricides (chlorpyrifos, cyfluthrin, lindane, and permethrin) produced 100% mortality within 24 hr of application, and only two (cyfluthrin and permethrin) continued to cause 100% mortality when diluted to as low as 1:10,000. Five of the acaricides (amitraz, carbaryl, chlorpyrifos, cyfluthrin, and permethrin) were studied for toxicity to the leopard tortoise (Geochelone pardalis), the most common host of A.

Ehrlichia ruminantium infection (heartwater) in wild animals.

Several wild animal species have been implicated as hosts of Ehrlichia ruminantium (formerly Cowdria ruminantium), the rickettsial agent causing heartwater, a fatal disease of domestic ruminants in sub-Saharan Africa and eastern Caribbean. However, evidence for infection in most wild species is inconclusive because of inadequate diagnostic techniques. Infection has been proven only in 12 African ruminants, three non-African ruminants and two African rodents.

DNA vaccination with map1 gene followed by protein boost augments protection against challenge with Cowdria ruminantium, the agent of heartwater.

A DNA vaccine encoding the immunodominant MAP1 protein of Cowdria ruminantium (Crystal Springs (CS) strain) was shown to partially protect DBA/2 mice against homologous lethal challenge. To enhance the protective capacity of this DNA vaccine, the effects of length of interval between vaccinations and of prime-boost regimes were investigated. Increasing the interval between vaccinations from 2 to 12 weeks did not result in better protection (P=0.