Artificial Feeding of Ornithodoros fonsecai and O. brasiliensis (Acari: Argasidae) and Investigation of the Transstadial Perpetuation of Anaplasma marginale

Anaplasma marginale is a Gram-negative, obligate intraerythrocytic bacterium that causes bovine anaplasmosis. While hard ticks of the genera Dermacentor and Rhipicephalus can be biological vectors, transmitting this pathogen via saliva during blood meals, blood-sucking insects, fomites play role as mechanical vectors. Little known about interaction between Argasidae ticks. Among soft ticks, Ornithodoros fonsecai (Labruna Venzal) brasiliensis Aragão inhabit environments surrounding localities where many cases anaplasmosis have been reported. Ticks species O. parasitize bats, while different vertebrate species. Therefore, present study aimed to feed third-instar nymphs artificially (N3) using samples obtained from calf naturally infected with A. rabbit added marginale-containing erythrocytes, investigate ability these acquire, infect transstadially perpetuate agent. For artificial feeding system, adapted chambers parafilm membranes were used. Nymphs both tick submitted replications weighed before after each feeding. Blood molted DNA extraction, quantitative real-time PCR for msp1β gene detect DNA, semi-nested polymerase chain reaction msp1α was performed genotyping. Using marginale, among three nymphs, detected in 30–50 days molting. erythrocytes containing also nymph As assay gene, strains found Is9; 78 24-2; 25; 23; α; β. It concluded could through membrane calves rabbits by marginale. The fed studied molt. However, further studies are needed confirm transstadial perpetuation other instars their host transmission capacity.