Trapping Protocol: Lone Star Tick ( Amblyomma americanum ) and Kissing Bugs ( Triatoma neotomae and Triatoma recurva )

Transcription

1 Trapping Protocol: Lone Star Tick ( Amblyomma americanum ) and Kissing Bugs ( Triatoma neotomae and Triatoma recurva ) Literature Review Ticks are trapped in a variety of ways, such as flagging and the use of dry ice. Flagging is dragging a heavy cloth through concentrated areas where vectors are present, as the cloth mimics fur and skin, making ticks quest onto it (Gherman CM, Mihalca AD, Dumitrache MO, et al ). Dry ice gives off carbon dioxide as a potential host would, making the tick quest and chase the trapping mechanism. The dry ice is placed in coolants with holes to allow the carbon dioxide to release. Both the flagging method and dry ice method use glue or sticky goop to trap ticks while being held by rods and dragged above vegetation to allow the tick to jump into the trap (Davis D.V.M, R. Norman, Baggett. M.D, Ayres B. 2016). Using both dry ice and flagging, enough Lone Star Ticks will be collected to identify and characterize for the unknown disease. Trapping and dragging should be done 2 times in the same area while 3 times is considered optimal if done 3 weeks apart, or sooner (Dobson 2013). The Lone Star Tick ( Amblyomma americanum ) is one of the primary potential disease vectors identified for the unknown disease. The tick is found widely in the southeastern and eastern United States (Hertz and Kaufman 2014). The primary host for the tick is the white-tailed deer, and due to the deers recent reintroductions in the western and central United States, the Lone Star Tick is more prevalent in states such as New Mexico. Even so, the species also has the trait of being generalists (Paddock and Yabsley 2007). The Lone Star Tick can be found in second growth woodland habitats or places near moisture, such as rivers and storm drains, as the eggs are laid in wet mulch or leaf padding. These places of high humidity provide a safe and suitable location to allow the eggs to survive (Patrick and Hair 1979). Larva, nymph and adult Lone Star ticks quest to find potential hosts, and adults are characterized as aggressive feeders willing to chase hosts. In states such as Kansas and Texas, the Lone Star tick adult population peaks from May and July, nymphs in May to August, and larvae in July through September (Kollars, 2000). Seeing as these states are very close in geography and environment, the same time frame can be assumed for New Mexico, where the recorded cases of the unknown disease have resulted in the death of patients. Much like ticks, kissing bugs are attracted to warmth and can sense and follow carbon dioxide ( Lazzari, C. R., and J. Núñez ). This can be exploited in order to trap two of our potential vectors, Triatoma neotomae and Triatoma recurva. One study found that L-lactic acid, when combined with carbon dioxide, worked synergistically to create a heightened host-seeking behavioral response in kissing bugs (Barrozo, R.B ). A mix of ammonia, L-lactic acid, and hexanoic acid has also been shown to be effective in attracting kissing bugs ( Guidobaldi, F., & Guerenstein, P. G ). Due to the synergistic combination of these chemicals, an ideal trap

2 would include ammonia, L-lactic acid, hexanoic acid, and dry ice (to release carbon dioxide) to effectively trap kissing bugs. A heating pad can be used to imitate host warmth, and duct tape with the sticky side up can trap the bugs once they are attracted (Tvedten, S.n.d.). Kissing bugs in the United States tend to not live in homes, but in Central and South America this is common place ( Klotz, S. A., Dorn, P. L., Mosbacher, M., & Schmidt, J. O ) These bugs are known for biting while their host is asleep, and feed for minutes depending on life stage. Kissing bugs tend to carry a dangerous parasite called Trypanosoma cruzi. If a human is infected with this parasite it can cause Chagas disease. This disease is not prevalent in the United States, although eleven species of kissing bugs are found there (Klotz, S. A., Dorn, P. L., Mosbacher, M., & Schmidt, J. O ). The life cycle of these bugs is about 25 months total, depending on the specific species. The bugs are most active in summer months and prefer warm-blooded hosts, but can also feed on cold-blooded hosts (Pippin, W. F.1970.). Materials and Methods The terrain where the tick trapping needs to occur has to have low to medium height grass near water, such as the Rio Grande, where many of the patients live near or regularly travel. The first location for trapping should occur in the borders of the city of Santa Ana and Bernalillo county, where the Rio Grande is considered to be the divide. At least 5 individuals should survey the land, using flagging and dry ice to cover 4-5 kilometres of terrain on either side of the river. Cities bordering the Rio Grande, such as Los Lunas, should also be checked using these similar methods. Another location for trapping should be Sedillo Park, Socorro NM, with 2-3 individuals performing the collection. Farmland near the Rio Grande should be surveyed in towns such as Belen, NM, with 3 or more individuals. Wooded campsites and surrounding areas such as Travertine Falls and Hobbies Mountain Ranch should also be sites for trapping (as they are popular tourist locations) and should be checked with 5-7 individuals covering 5 or more km of the surrounding area. In total, there will be 6 areas where 2 are bordering the Rio Grande, 2 in parks near the Rio Grande, 1 in farmland near the river and lastly 1 in woodlands near species of whitetail deer. Materials for tick trapping: Dry ice Glue Heavy cloth Kissing bug traps should be placed on the ground. Traps should be made of duct tape, a 12 hour chemical hand warmer, dry ice and Sweetscent (a spray that combine s ammonia, L-lactic acid, and hexanoic acid). Simply place hand warmer, dry ice, and spray Sweetcent in a small box with several 1 cm large holes, then cover the box in duct tape. Two traps should be placed

3 around patients homes, one outside the residency and one inside, to be safe. Traps should be set at night and checked in the morning, with the hand warmer replaced and activated each night. To ensure enough kissing bugs are caught, the surrounding area should be surveyed. This includes inside of the patients houses in any dark crevices. Rodents nests specifically should be thoroughly checked for kissing bugs. These bugs should be handled carefully- never with bare hands. A glove and plastic bag should be used. Materials for kissing bug trapping: Duct tape Small box (just small enough to fit hand warmer) Chemical hand warmer that can last at least 12 hours, preferably longer Sweetscent spray Dry ice Plastic bags Gloves Childs JE, Paddock CD The ascendancy of Amblyomma americanum as a vector of pathogens affecting humans in the United States. Annual Review of Entomology 48: Davis D.V.M, R. Norman, Baggett. M.D, Ayres B Collection of Ticks for Surveillance of Disease Agents on a Mountain in Central Virginia. Liberty University Journal 5, Dobson Ticks in the wrong boxes: assessing error in blanket-drag studies due to occasional sampling. Parasites & Vectors. 6:344. Gherman CM, Mihalca AD, Dumitrache MO, et al CO2 flagging - an improved method for the collection of questing ticks. Parasites & Vectors. 5: Hertz M.R, Kaufman FT Geographic distribution of ticks that bite humans. Central. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web Kollars Jr, TM, Oliver Jr, JH, Durden LA, Kollars PG Host associations and seasonal activity of Amblyomma americanum (Acari: Ixodidae) in Missouri. The Journal of Parasitology 86:

4 NCIPMI Insect and related pests of man and animals. North Carolina Integrated Pest Management Information. Patrick CD, Hair JA Oviposition behavior and larval longevity of the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum (Acarina: Ixodidae), in different habitats. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 72: Klotz, S. A., Dorn, P. L., Mosbacher, M., & Schmidt, J. O Kissing Bugs in the United States: risk for vector-borne disease in humans. Environmental Health Insights. Barrozo, R. B Orientation Behaviour of the Blood-sucking Bug Triatoma infestans to Short-chain Fatty Acids: synergistic effect of L-lactic acid and carbon dioxide. Chemical Senses. 29: Guidobaldi, F., & Guerenstein, P. G A CO2-Free Synthetic Host Odor Mixture That Attracts and Captures Triatomines: effect of emitted odorant ratios. Journal of Medical Entomology. 53: Lazzari, C. R., and J. Núñez The response to radiant heat and the estimation of the temperature of distant sources in Triatoma infestans. Journal of Insect Physiology. 35: Tvedten, S.n.d. The Best Control 2. Pippin, W. F The Biology and Vector Capability of Triatoma Sanguisuga Texana Usinger and Triatoma Gerstaeckeri (StÅL) Compared With Rhodnius Prolixus (StÅL) (Hemiptera: Triatominae)1. Journal of Medical Entomology. 7:

5 Trapping ticks Location 1: Bosque Loop, Bernalillo, NM Location 2: 28 Penny Ln # 15, Tijeras, NM Location 3: Grand Enchantment Trail, Cedar Crest, NM Location 4: 1601 Main St SE, Los Lunas, NM Location 5: 56 New Mexico 346, Belen, NM Location 6: Sedillo Park Socorro, NM 87801

6 Trapping Kissing Bugs Location 1: 1224 South Dr Socorro, NM Location 2: 614 Avenida Encantada Bernalillo, NM Location 3: 56 New Mexico 346, Belen, NM Location 4: MSC , 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM Location 5: 15 Matterhorn Dr, Albuquerque, NM Location 6: 28 Cripple Creek Rd SE Cibola National Forest, Albuquerque, NM Location 7: 3901 Montgomery NE, Apt B1, Albuquerque, NM Location 8: 1000 Rivas Rd, Los Lunas, NM Location 9: 2-98 Esmeralda Ln Jarales, NM 87023