Sioutas G. DVM, PhD student, EVPC Resident, Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
Tsouknidas A. Mechanical Engineer, PhD, Assistant Professor, PLiN Nanotechnology S.A., Thessaloniki, Greece
Kouki M. DVM, MSc, PhD, PLiN Nanotechnology S.A., Thessaloniki, Greece
Vlachou A. Chemist, MSc, PLiN Nanotechnology S.A., Thessaloniki, Greece
Karamanidou T. Chemical Engineer, PhD, PLiN Nanotechnology S.A., Thessaloniki, Greece
Kaldeli K.A. Chemist, MSc, PLiN Nanotechnology S.A., Thessaloniki, Greece
Papadopoulos E. DVM, MSc, PhD, Dip. EVPC, Professor, Head of the Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
Introduction
In recent years there have been increasing reports of the development of resistance to commonly used drugs to combat ectoparasites, including the tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus. The use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) to control ticks is an alternative option, while their particular mechanism of action reduces the risk of developing resistance. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effectiveness of AgNPs against R. sanguineus (larvae and adults).
Materials and methods
Rhipicephalus sanguineus larvae were divided into groups (n=10). They were placed in Petri dishes with Whatman paper and each paper was sprayed with different concentrations of AgNPs, while negative controls with deionized water were also used. A total of 3 biological replicates were performed for each concentration. In addition, assays for adult R. sanguineus ticks were carried out using AgNPs at 60 ppm concentration.
Results
Mean efficacy (mortality) of AgNPs against tick larvae reached 95.5%. In the assays against adults, the mean efficacy (mortality) was lower at 27.7%.
Conclusions
There is strong evidence for the effectiveness of AgNPs against the larvae of the canine tick R. sanguineus, while in the assays for the adult R. sanguineus ticks, the use of AgNPs had comparably lower efficacy.
Funding:
The results and experiments were carried out within the framework of the Nanovet project (T2EDK - 02826).
References
- Albuquerque FASA, Silva TRM, Schimmunech MS, Dias JA, Gomes PH, Souza JBB, Braga ÍA, Ramos DGS (2021) Clinical variations observed among the main hemoparasitosis caused by Rhipicephalus sanguineus in dogs. Research, Society and Development, 10, e351101220680.
- Latrofa MS, Angelou A, Giannelli A, Annoscia G, Ravagnan S, Dantas-Torres F, Capelli G, Halos L, Beugnet F, Papadopoulos E, Otranto D (2017) Ticks and associated thogens in dogs from Greece. Parasites and Vectors 10, 1–7.
- Morelli S, Diakou A, Mariasole C, Di Cesare A, Barlaam A, Dimzas D, Traversa D (2021) Car Respiratory Nematodes: Current Knowledge, Novel Data, Warranted Studies on Clinical Features, Treatment and Control. Pathogens 2021, 10, 454.
- Raue K, Raue J, Hauck D, Sobbeler F, Morelli S, Traversa D, Schnyder M, Volk H, Strube C (2021) Do All Roads Lead to Rome? The Potential of Different Approaches to Diagnose Aelurostrongylus abstrusus Infection in Cats. Pathogens 2021, 10, 602.
- Traversa D, Di Cesare A (2013) Feline lungworms: what a dilemma. Trends in Parasitology 2013, Vol. 29, No. 9, 423-430.
