Rhipicephalus zambeziensis unlikely to transmit foot-and-mouth disease virus

Abstract

The potential of the ixodid tick, Rhipicephalus zambeziensis, was investigated as a vector in the transstadial transmission of the foot-and-mouth disease virus by feeding nymphae on viraemic (log 1,0-4,0 TCID₅₀/ml) cattle. Suspensions were prepared, at various intervals after detachment, from pools of engorged nymphae - some of which were allowed to moult first. Suspensions were inoculated into sucking mice, cell cultures and, in some cases, cattle to detect the FMD virus. Newly moulted adult ticks, derived from nymphae which had fed on viraemic cattle, were also allowed to feed on susceptible cattle. The pattern of virus detection indicated that the FMD virus was capable of surviving at least 3 d in engorged nymphae, but less than 7 d following repletion. It was concluded that R. zambeziensis is unlikely to transmit the FMD virus.