Progress 07/03/00 to 06/30/06
Outputs
Objective 1: To develop a vaccine to prevent heartwater. An inactivated vaccine was developed and was proven to be efficacious in protecting cattle, sheep and goats against lethal field challenges in four countries (Botswana, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe). The vaccine is currently being modified for commercialization by a South African company. Objective 2: To develop methods to control exotic ticks imported into Florida. Practical , inexpensive and environmentally sound methods were developed to control exotic ticks introduced into Florida on imported lizards, snakes and tortoises. They were proven to be effective in the field when used in eradication of exotic tick infestations from the premises of reptile dealers and from a zoo. Objective 3: To determine if exotic ticks had spread to native fauna. On the few occasions where we were allowed to study this objective, we found no evidence that exotic ticks had spread to native species. However, we found several
instances where exotic ticks had spread to other exotic hosts after they had been imported into Florida, suggesting that it is only a matter of time before exotic ticks are found on native hosts. Objective 4: To develop protocols for eradication of exotic tick infestations. Protocols were developed and published following successful eradication of exotic tick infestations from tortoises on the premises of reptile dealers and from Komodo dragons at a zoo. Objective 5: To develop improved methods for control of ticks on livestock. A pheromone-based method was developed for the economical and environmentally sound control of bont ticks, using pheromone-acaricide-impregnated plastic decoys attached to the ears and tail switch of cattle. This tick decoy technology was proven effective in control of bont ticks in field trials in Zimbabwe and South Africa, and it has been licensed to Insect Science of South Africa for commercial development. Objective 6: To develop practical methods for
control of ticks on wildlife. A novel self-medicating applicator called the "AppliGator" was developed and shown to effectively control flies, ticks and nematodes in/on cattle and deer when used with appropriate insecticides, acaricides and anthelmintics, respectively, in field trials in the Unites States and South Africa. The AppliGator technology has been licensed to Intervet International of The Netherlands and to Pro Brands of the United States for commercial development in Africa and the rest of the world, respectively, with commercial sales already initiated in South Africa for tick control on game animals.
Impacts
The methods developed for the control and eradication of exotic tick infestations of reptiles provide, for the first time, safe and effective means of control and eliminate infestations on reptiles of exotic ticks which have been shown to carry bacteria that can cause fatal diseases to the livestock and deer populations of the United States. The development of the AppliGator self-medicating technology provides, again for the first time, a practical and commercializable device with which to treat wild animals safely and economicaly for both internal and external parasites. The development of the tick decoy technology provides a novel and economical method to control ticks on cattle which reduces greatly the pollution of the environment with toxic chemicals.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 10/01/04 to 09/30/05
Outputs
Objective 1: Negotiations are currently underway with a South African company to complete development and commercialization of our inactivated heartwater vaccine in South Africa. Objectives 2-5: They were completed in previous years. Objective 6: The AppliGator, a novel self-medicating applicator, has been licensed to Intervet International for commercialization in Africa and it will be launched in early 2006 for control of ticks on game animals in South Africa. In addition, negotiations are almost complete with an American company concerning a license agreement for exclusive rights to sell the AppliGator for control of both internal and external parasites outside Africa.
Impacts
Our work on development of vaccines for heartwater is very significant because this lethal exotic tickborne disease of ruminants remains a major threat to the US livestock industries and deer populations. Our development of the AppliGator, a novel self-medicating applicator, provides, for the first time, a practical and commercializable device which can treat wild animals safely and economically for both internal and external parasites.
Publications
- Burridge,M.J. 2005. Controlling and eradicating tick infestations on reptiles. Compend. Cont. Educ. Pract. Vet. 27:371-376.
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Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/04
Outputs
Objective 1: The optimal adjuvant for the inactivated heartwater vaccine has been identified in trials with cattle and sheep in South Africa. Field trials of the vaccine are currently underway with cattle and sheep preparatory to its commercialization in South Africa. Objectives 2-5: They were completed during the period 10/01/00-10/01/01. Objective 6: Field trials of the AppliGator, a novel self-medicating applicator, with cattle and African buffalo in South Africa showed the AppliGator to be an excellent device for the passive control of ticks on animals using the acaricides deltamethrin and amitraz. In consequence, a Dutch-based company is negotiating a license agreement with the University of Florida (UF) for the exclusive rights to use the AppliGator for control of ticks on wild animals in Africa. In addition, an American company is also negotiating a license agreement with UF for the exclusive rights to use the AppliGator for control of both internal and
external parasites of animals outside Africa.
Impacts
Our work on development of vaccines for heartwater is very significant because this lethal exotic tickborne disease of ruminants is a major threat to the US livestock industries and deer populations. Our development of the AppliGator, a novel self-medicating applicator, provides, for the first time, a practical and commercializable device which can treat safely and economically wild animals for both internal and external parasitic infections and infestations.
Publications
- Burridge,M.J., Simmons,L.A., Ahrens,E.H., Naude,S.A.J. and Malan,F.S. 2004. Development of a novel self-medicating applicator for control of internal and external parasites of wild and domestic animals. Onderstepoort J. Vet. Res. 71:41-51. Burridge,M.J., Simmons,L.A., and Condie,T. 2004. Control of an exotic tick (Aponomma komodoense) infestation in a Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) exhibit at a zoo in Florida. J. Zoo Wildl. Med. 35:248-249.
- Burridge,M.J. 2005. Control and eradication of tick infestations of reptiles. Compend. Cont. Educ. Pract. Vet. (in press).
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Progress 10/01/02 to 10/01/03
Outputs
Objective 1: A proprietary adjuvant has been identified for the inactivated heartwater vaccine which allows the vaccine to provide 80% protection of cattle to lethal heartwater challenge. This adjuvanted vaccine is now being tested in sheep and, during the next year, it is hoped that final formulation of the vaccine will have been completed preparatory to its commercialization. Objectives 2-5: They were completed during the period 10/01/00-10/01/01. Objective 6: The design of the AppliGator, a novel self-medicating applicator, was modified to improve its durability, and the new durable prototype withstood daily use by African buffaloes for over 17 weeks without any loss of performance.
Impacts
Our work on development of vaccines for heartwater is very significant because this lethal exotic tickborne disease of ruminants is a major threat to the US livestock industries and deer populations. Our development of the AppliGator, a novel self-medicating applicator, provides, for the first time, a practical and commercializable device which can treat safely and economically wild animals for both internal and external parasitic infections and infestations.
Publications
- Burridge,M.J. and Simmons,L.A. 2003. Exotic ticks introduced into the United States on imported reptiles from 1962 to 2001 and their potential roles in international dissemination of diseases. Vet. Parasitol. 113:289-320.
- Mahan,S.M., Barbet,A.F. and Burridge,M.J. 2003. Development of improved vaccines for heartwater. Dev. Biol. 114:137-145.
- Burridge,M.J., Simmons,L.A., Ahrens,E.H., Naude,S.A.J. and Malan,F.S. 2004. Development of a novel self-medicating applicator for control of internal and external pasrasites of wild and domestic animals. Onderstepoort J. Vet. Res. (in press).
- Burridge,M.J., Simmons,L.A. and Condie,T. 2004. Control of an exotic tick (Aponomma komodoense) infestation in a Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) exhibit at a zoo in Florida. J.Zoo Wildl. Med. (in press).
- Burridge,M.J., Simmons,L.A. and Hofer,C.C. 2004. Clinical study of a permethrin formulation for direct or indirect use in control of ticks on tortoises, snakes and lizards. J. Herpetol. Med. Surg. (in press).
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Progress 10/01/01 to 10/01/02
Outputs
Objective 1: An inactivated vaccine for heartwater has been developed and a private sector partner has been found to complete the commercial development of the vaccine. A project has just been established in South Africa to complete this objective. Objectives 2-5: They were completed last year. Objective 6: The AppliGator was found to be an ideal device to treat cattle passively with the acaricides deltamethrin and amitraz to control heavy tick infestations on a farm in South Africa.
Impacts
Our work on development of vaccines for heartwater is very significant because this lethal exotic tickborne disease of cattle, sheep, goats and deer has become a major threat to the US livestock industries and deer populations. Our development of the AppliGator, a self-medicating applicator, provides, for the first time, a practical and commercializable device which can treat safely and economically wild animals for both internal and external parasitic infections and infestations.
Publications
- Burridge,M.J., Peter,T.F., Allan,S.A. and Mahan,S.M. 2002. Evaluation of safety and efficacy of acaricides for control of the African tortoise tick (Amblyomma marmoreum) on leopard tortoises (Geochelone pardalis). J. Zoo Wildl. Med. 33:52-57.
- Burridge,M.J., Simmons,L.A., Peter,T.F. and Mahan,S.M. 2002. Control and eradication of chelonian tick infestations, with particular reference to vectors of heartwater. Ann. New York Acad. Sci. 969:294-296.
- Mahan,S.M., Barbet,A.F. and Burridge,M.J. 2003. Development of improved vaccines for heartwater. Devel. Biol. Stand. (in press).
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Progress 10/01/00 to 10/01/01
Outputs
Objective 1: An inactivated heartwater vaccine has been developed. Efforts are on-going to identify a superior adjuvant to increase the level of protection to lethal challenge. Objective 2: It was completed last year. Objective 3: Wildlife were trapped on and around premises in Florida found to be infested with exotic reptilian ticks. The only ticks found on the wildlife were native species, providing no evidence that exotic ticks had spread to indigenous fauna. Objective 4: Established exotic tick infestations on reptile premises in Florida were eradicated successfully using a permethrin product Provent-a-Mite on reptiles and a cyfluthrin product Tempo on the environment as a premises spray. Objective 5: A novel self-medicating applicator called the AppliGator has been developed and found to be an ideal device to treat both deer and cattle passively with the anthelmintic moxidectin to control nematode infections. Trials conducted with deer on an exotic wildlife ranch
and with cattle on a farm, both in Florida, were highly successful. Objective 6: The AppliGator was found to be an ideal device to treat cattle passively with the insecticide cyfluthrin to control horn-fly infestations on a farm in Texas.
Impacts
Our work on development of vaccines for heartwater is very significant because this lethal tickborne disease of cattle, sheep, goats and deer has become a major threat to the US livestock industries and deer populations. Our work on methods to control exotic reptilian ticks is very timely since we recently discovered that one shipment of exotic ticks, imported into Florida on African tortoises, was infected with the organism that causes heartwater. Consequently our research on exotic tick control is directly related to preventing heartwater from being introduced into the United States. Our development of the AppliGator, a self-medicating applicator, provides, for the first time, a device that can safely and economically treat wildlife such as deer for nematode infections and fly infestations.
Publications
- Allan,S.A., Simmons,L.A. and Burridge,M.J. 2001. Ixodid ticks on white-tailed deer and feral swine in Florida. J. Vector Ecol. 26:93-102.
- Burridge,M.J. 2001. Ticks (Acari, Ixodidae) spread by the international trade in reptiles and their potential roles in dissemination of diseases. Bull. Entomol. Res. 91:3-23.
- Mahan,S.M., Smith,G.E., Kumbula,D., Burridge,M.J. and Barbet,A.F. 2001. Reduction in mortality from heartwater in cattle, sheep and goats exposed to field challenge using an inactivated vaccine. Vet. Parasitol. 97:295-308.
- Peter,T.F., Mahan,S.M. and Burridge,M.J. 2001. Resistance of leopard tortoises and helmeted guineafowl to Cowdria ruminantium infection (heartwater). Vet. Parasitol. 98:299-307.
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Progress 10/01/99 to 09/30/00
Outputs
Objective 1: An inactivated heartwater vaccine has been developed and successfully tested in both the laboratory and the field in southern Africa. However, the level of protection needs to be improved by identification of a superior adjuvant before the vaccine can be commercialized. Objective 2: A permethrin product, developed specifically for use on reptiles, has been tested for safety using tortoises, snakes and lizards. This product, which in a previous study had been shown to be effective in killing exotic African tortoise ticks, was found to be very safe for use on reptiles. Objective 3: Wildlife trapping has been completed on and around one premises infested with exotic reptilian ticks. The only ticks found on the wildlife were native species, providing no evidence yet that exotic ticks have spread to indigenous fauna. Objective 4: Initial field trials, using the permethrin product on reptiles and a cyfluthrin product on the environment as a premises spray, were
successful in eradicating exotic ticks from one infested premises in Florida. Objectives 5 & 6: No significant progress has been made on either objective this past year. Objective 7: Work to develop effective methods for control of dog ticks has been discontinued.
Impacts
Our work on development of vaccines for heartwater is very significant because this lethal tickborne disease of cattle, sheep, goats, and deer has become a major threat to the US livestock industries and deer populations. Our work on methods to control exotic reptilian ticks is very timely since we recently discovered that one shipment of exotic ticks, imported into Florida on African tortoises, was infected with the organism that causes heartwater. Consequently our research on exotic tick control is directly related to preventing heartwater from being introduced into the United States.
Publications
- Burridge,M.J., Simmons,L.A. and Allan,S.A. 2000. Introduction of potential heartwater vectors and other exotic ticks into Florida on imported reptiles. J. Parasitol. 86:700-704.
- Burridge,M.J., Simmons,L.A., Simbi,B.H., Peter,T.F. and Mahan,S.M. 2000. Evidence of Cowdria ruminantium infection (heartwater) in Amblyomma sparsum ticks found on tortoises imported into Florida. J. Parasitol. 86:1135-1136.
- Mahan,S.M., Peter,T.F., Simbi,B.H., Kocan,K., Camus,E., Barbet,A.F. and Burridge,M.J. 2000. Comparison of efficacy of American and African Amblyomma ticks as vectors of heartwater (Cowdria ruminantium) infection by molecular analyses and transmission trials. J. Parasitol. 86:44-49.
- Peter,T.F., Burridge,M.J. and Mahan,S.M. 2000. Competence of the African tortoise tick, Amblyomma marmoreum (Acari: Ixodidae), as a vector of the agent of heartwater (Cowdria ruminantium). J. Parasitol. 86:438-441.
- Simmons,L.A. and Burridge,M.J. 2000. Introduction of the exotic ticks Amblyomma humerale and Amblyomma geoemydae into the United States on imported reptiles. Int. J. Acarol. 26:239-242.
- Sonenshine,D.E., Allan,S.A., Peter,T.F., McDaniel,R. and Burridge,M.J. 2000. Does geographic range affect the attractant-aggregation-attachment pheromone of the tropical bont tick, amblyomma variegatum. Exp. Appl. Acarol. 24:283-299.
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