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Soft ticks (Acari: Argasidae) in the island nations of Southeast Asia: A review on their distribution, associated hosts and potential pathogens

Kazim AR, Houssaini J, Ehlers J, Tappe D, Heo CC

Acta Trop, 2021 Nov;223:106085.
PMID: 34389326 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.106085

Soft ticks (Acari: Argasidae) are the second major family of the blood feeding metastriates and vectors of a number of viral and bacterial pathogens for both humans and animals. Despite the growing effort on tick surveillance and studies worldwide, there is still limited information on the soft tick distribution in the island nations of Southeast Asia, especially species that are medically and veterinarily important. With the aim to provide an overview of the current status of knowledge on soft tick distribution in the island nations of Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia, the Philippines and Timor-Leste), this article reviews the species of soft ticks (Acari: Argasidae) and their associated hosts and pathogens, with the addition of a pictorial summary and list of tick species discovered in this region. The most prevalent soft tick genus is Carios, and the host species most associated with findings of soft ticks in this region are bats, particularly of the Pteropodidae and Vespertilionidae families. Furthermore, the only known pathogen originating from soft ticks in the island nations of Southeast Asia was the Keterah virus, which was isolated from Argas pusillus tick in Malaysia.
A checklist of the ticks of Malaysia (Acari: Argasidae, Ixodidae), with lists of known associated hosts, geographical distribution, type localities, human infestations and pathogens

Kazim AR, Houssaini J, Tappe D, Heo CC

Zootaxa, 2022 Sep 30;5190(4):485-530.
PMID: 37045359 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5190.4.2

Studies of ticks in Malaysia from past articles were reviewed, resulting in a list of 47 species belonging to seven genera (Argas, Ornithodoros, Amblyomma, Dermacentor, Haemaphysalis, Ixodes, and Rhipicephalus). The most prevalent genus in Malaysia is Haemaphysalis (20 species), followed by Amblyomma (eight species) and Dermacentor (seven species). Out of 47 species, only 28 have bitten humans, mostly belonging to Haemaphysalis. The most researched tick-borne pathogens in Malaysia are Rickettsia and Anaplasma, and most research was focused on the tropical-lineage brown dog ticks, R. sanguineus sensu lato, and the cattle ticks, Haemaphysalis bispinosa and Rhipicephalus microplus. 18 species were excluded from the list due to lack of definite records or dubious findings: Ornithodoros mimon, O. turicata, Amblyomma breviscutatum, A. clypeolatum, A. integrum, A. maculatum, Dermacentor marginatum, D. taiwanensis, Haemaphysalis birmaniae, H. flava, H. humerosa, H. longicornis, H. punctata, H. sulcata, Ixodes holocyclus, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, R. annulatus and R. bursa. This paper presents the first complete and updated list for Dermacentor and Ixodes tick species in Malaysia since Kohls (1957).
An annotated checklist of the chewing lice (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera, Amblycera, Rhynchophthirina) from domestic and wild mammals in Malaysia

Kazim AR, Houssaini J, Tappe D, Heo CC

Zootaxa, 2023 Apr 04;5263(1):40-60.
PMID: 37045000 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5263.1.2

Literature records of chewing lice (Phthiraptera) from mammals in Malaysia were checked and reviewed, resulting in a list of 13 confirmed species belonging to eight genera (Bovicola, Felicola, Gliricola, Gyropus, Haematomyzus, Heterodoxus, Lorisicola, Trichodectes) from four families (Boopiidae, Gyropidae, Haematomyzidae, Trichodectidae) in three suborders (Amblycera, Ischnocera, Rhynchophthirina). We present a checklist of those 13 chewing lice recorded from Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo, including hosts, localities, and literature references. An additional 12 species are listed and discussed as possibly occurring in this country. A host-louse list is also given.
An annotated checklist of sucking lice (Phthiraptera: Anoplura) from domestic and wild mammals in Malaysia, with lists of hosts and pathogens

Kazim AR, Houssaini J, Tappe D, Heo CC

Zootaxa, 2022 Dec 02;5214(3):301-336.
PMID: 37044900 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5214.3.1

Literature records of sucking lice (Phthiraptera: Anoplura) from Malaysia were checked and reviewed, resulting in a list of 34 established species belonging to 11 genera (Ancistroplax, Atopophthirus, Enderleinellus, Haematopinus, Hamophthirius, Hoplopleura, Linognathus, Neohaematopinus, Pedicinus, Polyplax and Sathrax). Furthermore, three local and six cosmopolitan louse species are regarded as dubious in Malaysia, due to misidentifications or lack of locality records. Also, pathogens known to be associated with the sucking lice are listed. The alarming conservation status of some Malaysian mammalian host species and their sucking lice warrant more research and imminent action to preserve the biodiversity of the country. This paper presents the first complete checklist of anopluran lice from both Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo, including localities, literature references and a host-louse list.
A new host record of Haemaphysalis semermis (Acari: Ixodidae) from the domestic cat (Felis catus) (Carnivora: Felidae) in Orang Asli village, Pahang National Park Malaysia

Kazim AR, Shezryna S, Azdayanti M, Houssaini J, Tappe D, Heo CC

J Med Entomol, 2023 May 12;60(3):615-619.
PMID: 36933194 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjad025

We report the presence of a male Haemaphysalis semermis collected from the domestic cat, Felis catus in an aboriginal village located in Pahang, Malaysia. This paper constitutes a new host record of this tick species, and also the first documentation of the infestation of companion animals other than domestic dogs (Canis lupus) by H. semermis in Malaysia. Additionally, we have included an updated host index of the tick species in Southeast Asia.
Two new records of chewing lice (Phthiraptera: Amblycera) from the Oriental honey buzzard [Pernis ptilorhynchus (Temminck, 1821)] and house crow (Corvus splendens Viellot, 1817) in Malaysia

Kazim AR, Houssaini J, Tappe D, Heo CC, Vellayan S

Trop Biomed, 2023 Dec 01;40(4):416-421.
PMID: 38308828 DOI: 10.47665/tb.40.4.006

We report two new records of chewing lice from avian pets in Peninsular Malaysia: Colpocephalum apivorus Tendeiro, 1958 from an Oriental honey buzzard (Pernis ptilorhynchus (Temminck, 1821)), and Myrsidea splendenticola Klockenhoff, 1973 from an albino house crow (Corvus splendens Vieillot, 1817). The scarcity of louse records from avian pets and wild birds, and the lack of louse research in Malaysia are discussed.
Haemaphysalis wellingtoni (Acari: Ixodidae) from the helmeted guineafowl, Numida meleagris (Galliformes: Numididae): A new tick-host record in Peninsular Malaysia

Kazim AR, Subramaniam V, Houssaini J, Tappe D, Heo CC

Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports, 2024 Jan;47:100965.
PMID: 38199684 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2023.100965

This paper describes a new tick-host record of Haemaphysalis wellingtoni from the helmeted guineafowl (Numida meleagris) in Peninsular Malaysia. This record is also the first report of a tick infestation from N. meleagris in Asia. A checklist of the tick-guineafowl associations has been designed, resulting in 32 tick species including H. wellingtoni recorded as infesting N. meleagris worldwide. A list of pathogens harboured or transmitted by H. wellingtoni is provided. The status of H. wellingtoni as a true parasite of N. meleagris, and the health threat posed to the guineafowls are discussed in this paper.
Corrigendum to: Tick-associated Trypanosoma species (Apicomplexa: Kinetoplastida) from cattle ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) in Peninsular Malaysia [Acta Tropica, volume 259, article number 107383]

Kazim AR, Low VL, Houssaini J, Tappe D, Heo CC

Acta Trop, 2024 Nov 08.
PMID: 39521685 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107438
Ticks and tick-borne pathogens in ruminant farms of Peninsular Malaysia: First molecular evidence of Borrelia theileri in Rhipicephalus microplus (Acari: Ixodidae)

Kazim AR, Low VL, Houssaini J, Tappe D, Heo CC

Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports, 2024 Nov;56:101145.
PMID: 39550195 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2024.101145

To shed light on the importance of tick-borne diseases, especially in farm animals that often contact with farm workers, this study aimed to identify ticks and tick-borne pathogens in ruminants in Malaysia. Accordingly, specimen collection was conducted across Peninsular Malaysia yielded a total of 1241 ticks collected from 674 farm ruminants. Among these, four tick species were identified, with Rhipicephalus microplus being the most prevalent, constituting 99.03 % of the total tick population. Analysis of 130 tick pools revealed three positives for Borrelia. BLAST analyses of the flaB and 16S rRNA genes revealed high similarities to Borrelia theileri, ranging from 98.78 to 100 % for flaB and 99.23-99.45 % for 16S rRNA. These results align with the phylogenetic trees, where sequences from both genes clustered together with B. theileri, further supporting this identification. No Rickettsia and Bartonella bacteria were detected. This study represents the first occurrence of B. theileri in R. microplus in Malaysia.
Tick-associated Trypanosoma species (Apicomplexa: Kinetoplastida) from cattle ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) in Peninsular Malaysia

Kazim AR, Low VL, Houssaini J, Tappe D, Heo CC

Acta Trop, 2024 Sep 06.
PMID: 39245158 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107383

A Trypanosoma screening was conducted on 130 pools comprising 1,241 ticks, collected from 674 selected farm ruminants in Peninsular Malaysia. Of these, nine pools were tested positive for Trypanosoma. Subsequent BLAST searches revealed that the 18S rRNA gene sequences were closely related to Trypanosoma rhipicephalis isolate Chaco CB, with percentage similarities ranging from 95.56% to 99.84%. Phylogenetic analysis showed that three of the nine sequences formed a clade with Trypanosoma rhipicephalis. The remaining six Trypanosoma sequences formed a distinct clade, separate from T. rhipicephalis and other Trypanosoma species, with genetic distances of 4.34% and 4.33-4.58%, respectively. This study marks the first report of tick-associated Trypanosoma in Malaysia and underscores significant research gaps regarding trypanosome interactions with tick hosts in the region.
A distinct Borrelia clade within the relapsing fever group from cat-infesting Haemaphysalis semermis Neumann 1901 (Acari: Ixodidae)

Kazim AR, Heo CC, Shahrizal S, Er YX, Houssaini J, Veit A, et al.

Vet Res Commun, 2024 Nov 15;49(1):6.
PMID: 39546073 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-024-10591-x

An undescribed relapsing fever group Borrelia species was detected in a male Haemaphysalis semermis tick infesting a rural cat in an indigenous population in Pahang National Park, Peninsular Malaysia. The 16 S rRNA gene sequence revealed close similarity of this variant to several undescribed Borrelia species and Borrelia theileri, with genetic distances ranging from 0.58 to 0.72%. Furthermore, the flaB, gyrB, and the concatenated 16 S rRNA + flaB + gyrB sequence analyses demonstrated that this variant is distinctly separated from multiple undescribed Borrelia species, Borrelia miyamotoi, and B. theileri, with genetic distances ranging from 3.41 to 7.00%. This study not only reports the first Borrelia found in H. semermis but also suggests that it forms a distinct clade within the relapsing fever group in Peninsular Malaysia.
Fulltext Challenges for ticks and tick-borne diseases research in Southeast Asia: Insight from the first international symposium in Cambodia

Yean S, Prasetyo DB, Marcombe S, Hadi UK, Kazim AR, Tiawsirisup S, et al.

PLoS Negl Trop Dis, 2024 Jul;18(7):e0012269.
PMID: 38985826 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012269

BACKGROUND: Ticks, as critical vectors of a variety of pathogens, pose a significant public health challenge globally. In Southeast Asia (SEA), ticks are responsible for transmitting a diverse array of pathogens affecting humans and animals. The geographical and ecological diversity of SEA provides a unique environment that supports a wide range of tick species, which complicates the management and study of tick-borne diseases (TBDs).
METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: This article synthesizes findings from the first international symposium on ticks and TBDs in Southeast Asia, held in Phnom Penh on June 22 and 23, 2023. It highlights regional efforts to understand tick ecology and pathogen transmission. This paper proposes to present a summary of the various presentations given during the symposium following 3 main parts. The first one is devoted to the state of knowledge regarding ticks and TBDs in SEA countries, with presentations from 6 different countries, namely Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. The second part focuses on the development of new research approaches on tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) and TBDs. The last part is a summary of the round table discussion held on the final day, with the aim of defining the most important challenges and recommendations for researches on TBP and TBD in the SEA region.
CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Key topics discussed include advancements in diagnostic tools, such as MALDI-TOF MS and proteomics, and the development of sustainable strategies for tick management and disease prevention. The symposium facilitated the exchange of knowledge and collaborative networks among experts from various disciplines, promoting a unified approach to tackling TBDs in the region. The symposium underscored the need for enhanced surveillance, diagnostics, and inter-regional cooperation to manage the threat of TBDs effectively. Recommendations include the establishment of a regional database for tick identification and the expansion of vector competence studies. These initiatives are crucial for developing targeted interventions and understanding the broader implications of climate change and urbanization on the prevalence of TBDs.