Inclusion of Anti-Tick Vaccines into an Integrated Tick Management Program in Mexico: A Public Policy Challenge

Abstract

Acaricides are the most widely used method to control the cattle tick Rhipicephalus microplus. However, its use increases production costs, contaminates food and the environment, and directly affects animal and human health. The intensive use of chemical control has resulted in the selection of genes associated with resistance to acaricides, and consumers are increasingly less tolerant of food contamination. This scenario has increased the interest of different research groups around the world for anti-tick vaccine development, in order to reduce the environmental impact, the presence of residues in food, and the harmful effects on animal and human health. There is enough evidence that vaccination with tick antigens induces protection against tick infestations, reducing tick populations and acaricide treatments. Despite the need for an anti-tick vaccine in Mexico, vaccination against ticks has been limited to one vaccine that is used in some regions. The aim of this review is to contribute to the discussion on tick control issues and provide a reference for readers interested in the importance of using anti-tick vaccines encouraging concerted action on the part of Mexican animal health authorities, livestock organizations, cattle producers, and academics. Therefore, it is suggested that an anti-tick vaccine should be included as a part of an integrated tick management program in Mexico.

Keywords: Rhipicephalus microplus; tick control; tick vaccines; ticks.

Figure 1

The frequent use of acaricides to control ticks acts as a selection pressure directly on their genome, which implies the selection of genes associated with resistance to acaricides in the progeny of ticks. This process will invariably lead to the gradual emergence of resistance to acaricides in the short term. (Artwork by Fernando Rosario Dominguez).

Figure 2

The One Health paradigm is a tripartite initiative by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), recognizing the interconnection and interdependence of human, animal, and environmental health, within the concept of one single health. (Artwork by Fernando Rosario Dominguez).

Figure 3

Cattle tick control is an issue that must be addressed in an integrated manner, so that public policies will have a scientific basis, leading to intelligent solutions and research actions focused on the control of TTBDs and the promotion of animal health, food safety, and environmental protection. (Artwork by Fernando Rosario Dominguez).

Figure 4

Reverse vaccinology has evolved from the use of single-gene recombinant vaccines to multi-epitope chimeric vaccines (a vaccinomic approach); however, the vaccine’s mode of action to control ticks after tick feeding remains the same in both cases. CTL, cytotoxic T lymphocytes; HTL, helper T lymphocytes; IFN, interferon; IL, interleukin. (Artwork by Fernando Rosario Dominguez).