In-vitro anticandidial efficacy of tick egg wax from Hyalomma marginatum, Rhipicephalus bursa and Dermacentor marginatus

Abstract

Objective: In the previous studies, the antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral efficacy of the tick egg wax-coating of certain tick species were examined and some significant results were obtained. However, related researches and studied tick species are limited. There are hundreds of tick species, and it is well known that the antimicrobial efficacy of the wax is closely related to the species. The aim of this study was to investigate the in-vitro anticandidial efficacy of the egg waxes belonging to three tick species, which have not been studied before and have quite different biological and ecological differences.Methods: In the study, the egg waxes of the tick species, Hyalomma marginatum, Rhipicephalus bursa, and Dermacentor marginatus, were used on Candida albicans ATCC10231, Candida parapsilosis ATCC 22019, and Candida tropicalis ATCC 750. Antimycotic susceptibility test was carried out in accordance with the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) recommendations using the M27-A3 microdilution method.Results: It was determined that the wax of Rhipicephalus bursa has inhibitory effect on Candida tropicalis ATCC 750 in a particular concentration, and no significant effects were observed in other trials. Conclusion:Anticandidial effect obtained from the egg wax of R. bursa can be associated with some distinctive biological characteristics, and it was concluded that the detailed studies with different tick species might yield significant results for the discovery of new generation antifungals.

Predation of ant species Lasius alienus on tick eggs: impacts of egg wax coating and tick species

“…The wax’s chemical properties and antimicrobial efficacy can vary dramatically depending on the species of the agents and ticks 16 , 42 . In line with this fact, a recent study carried out by our study group showed that the egg wax of R. bursa is effective against Candida tropicalis at certain levels, but the wax of H. marginatum is not 25 .…”

“…This result indicates that the wax coating of eggs in some tick species such as R. bursa can be one of the most crucial barriers protecting the eggs from the predation of L. alienus . Although the antimicrobial activity of the wax has been well documented 22 – 25 , as far as we know, our result provides the first accurate evidence for its anti-predatory efficacy. Furthermore, the anti-predatory activity of the egg wax of R. bursa against L. alienus was clearly more substantial than the egg wax of H. marginatum and particularly the egg wax of H. excavatum .…”

“…The divergences in the egg-laying sites and habitat preferences of H. marginatum , H. excavatum , and R. bursa may, of course, be the reason for the difference in their egg wax activities, as previously reported in these 25 and some other tick species 16 , 42 . However, biological differences between the species also seem to play a role in species-specific wax differences, at least in its antipredatory activity.…”

“…The entire process of egg-laying, larval hatching, and attachment of the larvae to the host can be completed within a few weeks under field conditions in Turkey. Although the adults of R. bursa feed in hot months (primarily around June), the egg-laying and larval hatching process can take several weeks, and the immature stages are found on the host in the late autumn or winter 25 , 32 . This information indicates that the more protective feature of egg wax of R. bursa is most likely the natural consequence of an evolutionary adaptation, possibly driven by prolonged exposure of the eggs to environmental factors.…”

“…As for the function of the wax, it has been reported that it reduces water loss, waterproofs the eggs, ensures the proper gas exchange between the eggs and air and holds the eggs together 16 , 18 . The wax also provides protection against chemical and physical factors such as cold, heat, proteinase K and pronase, or microbial agents including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa 19 – 25 .…”