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Photosensitizers in the fight against ticks: safranin as a novel photodynamic fluorescent acaricide to control the camel tick Hyalomma dromedarii (Ixodidae)

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Abstract

Ticks transmit more pathogen species than any other group of blood-feeding arthropods worldwide, affecting humans, livestock, and companion animals. Hyalomma dromedarii is the predominant tick species infesting camels, and its effective control is of pivotal importance. In this research, we compared the phytoefficacy of safranin (SF), a fluorescent dye applied as an acaricide for the first time, to that of tetramethrin (TM) against engorged females of H. dromedarii through in vitro immersion bioassays. Furthermore, the effect of SF exposure was evaluated on the reproductive potential of surviving tick females. Different concentrations of SF (0.03, 0.06, 0.3, 1, and 4 % w:v) and TM (0.03, 0.13, 0.5, 2, and 4 %) were prepared in distilled water and administered to engorged females of H. dromedarii. SF-treated ticks were illuminated with a light source for 30 min post-treatment (PT). Photophysical properties of SF were studied, and the relative efficacy of the used light source and sunlight was calculated. Results showed that the minimum least concentration that causes 100 % acaricidal effect was 4 % PT with SF and TM, for 8 and 48 h, respectively. LC50 values 8 and 24 h PT were 0.08, 0.03 and 0.78, 0.20 %, respectively. Comparing LC50 and LC90 2 h PT, SF was 33 and 22 times more potent than TM. LT50 of 4 % SF and TM were 0.80 and 2.17 h, respectively. Treatment with the lowest concentrations of SF and TM induced reduction of the number of ovipositing females, eggs per female, ticks laying viable eggs, and hatched eggs. Overall, our results highlighted that SF is highly effective if compared to TM, allowing use to candidate it for the development of novel and safer acaricides.

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Acknowledgments

Prof. Dr. Heinz Mehlhorn and two anonymous reviewers improved an earlier version of our manuscript. The authors are grateful to Prof. Dr. Azza A. Moustafa (Research Institute of Medical Entomology, Egypt), Dr. Mohamed Hafez (Plant Pathology Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Benha University, Egypt) and Dr. Ahmed Radwan (Parasitology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Egypt) for their valuable advices and help. Furthermore, we would like to thank Dr. Tarek Y. Elrasasi (Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Benha University) for this kind assistance. The macrograph of H. dromedarii was kindly provided by Ms. Maria Fremlin.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Moshtohor, Toukh, 13736, Egypt

    Hanem Khater

  2. Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Benha University, Benha, 13111, Egypt

    Nabil Hendawy

  3. Unit of Vector Control, Phytochemistry and Nanotechnology, Department of Zoology, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar, Tamil Nadu, 608002, India

    Marimuthu Govindarajan

  4. Division of Entomology, Department of Zoology, School of Life Sciences, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 641046, India

    Kadarkarai Murugan

  5. Insect Behavior Group, Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, via del Borghetto 80, Pisa, 56124, Italy

    Giovanni Benelli

  6. The BioRobotics Institute, Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, Pontedera, 56025, Italy

    Giovanni Benelli

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Correspondence to Giovanni Benelli.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. G. Benelli is an Editorial Board Member of Parasitology Research. This does not alter the authors’ adherence to all the Parasitology Research policies on sharing data and materials.

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Khater, H., Hendawy, N., Govindarajan, M. et al. Photosensitizers in the fight against ticks: safranin as a novel photodynamic fluorescent acaricide to control the camel tick Hyalomma dromedarii (Ixodidae). Parasitol Res 115, 3747–3758 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-016-5136-9

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