Interaction between anti-tick vaccine and a macrocyclic lactone improves acaricidal efficacy against Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Canestrini) (Acari: Ixodidae) in experimentally infested cattle

Authors: AROCHO ROSARIO, CHARLUZ - Texas A&M University; Miller, Robert; KLAFKE, GULHERME - Instituto Nacional De Pesquisas Da Amazonia (INPA); COATS, CRAIG - Texas A&M University; GRANT, WILLIAM - Texas A&M University; SAMENUK, GRACE - University Of Texas At San Antonio; Yeater, Kathleen; Tidwell, Jason; BACH, STEPHEN - University Of Texas At San Antonio; Perez De Leon, Adalberto - Beto; TEEL, PETE - Texas A&M University

Submitted to: Wildlife Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/2/2022
Publication Date: 10/14/2022
Citation: Arocho Rosario, C.M., Miller, R.J., Klafke, G.M., Coats, C., Grant, W.E., Samenuk, G., Yeater, K.M., Tidwell, J.P., Bach, S., Perez De Leon, A.A., Teel, P.D. 2022. Interaction between anti-tick vaccine and a macrocyclic lactone improves acaricidal efficacy against Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Canestrini) (Acari: Ixodidae) in experimentally infested cattle. Wildlife Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.10.001.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.10.001

Interpretive Summary: The southern cattle fever tick (SCFT) Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, is considered the most important ectoparasite of livestock in the world because of high financial losses associated with direct feeding and transmission of disease. Unfortunately, SCFT in many parts of the world have developed resistance to all market-available pesticides thus driving development of new control technologies. Vaccination against ticks has been shown to be effective against acaricide-resistant ticks. Observations from previous studies completed in Puerto Rico indicate a positive interaction between anti-tick vaccination when used in conjunction with systemic pesticides. In this project, controlled animal studies were completed directly comparing efficacy of anti-tick vaccination with and without systemic pesticide. Results show that the anti-tick vaccine in combination with the systemic pesticide, Moxidectin, produced a synergistic interaction, providing greater and longer tick mortality than either treatment alone.

Technical Abstract: The southern cattle fever tick (SCFT) Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, is considered the most important ectoparasite of livestock in the world because of high financial losses associated with direct feeding and transmission of the hemoparasites Babesia bovis, B. bigemina, and Anaplasma marginale. Unfortunately, SCFT in many parts of the world have evolved resistance to all market-available pesticides thus driving development of new control technologies. Vaccination against ticks using the tick gut protein Bm86 has been shown to be effective against acaricide-resistant ticks. This technique has been successfully implemented in Puerto Rico for the control of acaricide-resistant R. microplus on dairy and beef cattle. Observations from Puerto Rico indicate a potentially positive interaction between anti-tick vaccination when used in conjunction with systemic acaricide treatment. In this project, controlled animal studies were completed directly comparing efficacy of anti-tick vaccination with and without systemic acaricide. Results show that the Bm86 anti-tick vaccine in combination with the macrocyclic lactone, Moxidectin, expressed a synergistic interaction, providing greater and longer efficacy than either treatment alone.