The world’s first lab-based tick feeding system for bush ticks, developed by researchers at the University of Melbourne, has transformed the study of ticks and how they transmit disease. The novel, host-free technology reduces the need for animal experiments in tick studies, facilitating more ethical, reproducible research.<\/p>\n
Ticks are among the most significant carriers of infectious disease worldwide, transmitting a wide range of viruses,\u00a0bacteria , and protozoa to animals and humans. Global changes in climate, land-use and trade are impacting tick distribution and tick-borne diseases.<\/p>\n
The research, led by\u00a0University of Melbourne Dr Abdul Ghafar and Professor Abdul Jabbar\u00a0from the Melbourne Veterinary School, alongside Professor Ard\u00a0Nijhof\u00a0from Freie Universit\u00e4t Berlin, Germany, was published in\u202fThe Veterinary Journal.<\/p>\n
The study showed that the platform can support the feeding and complete reproduction of the Asian longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis\u00a0longicornis) without the use of animal hosts.<\/p>\n
In Australia,\u00a0the Asian longhorned tick\u00a0is widespread and economically important. It is the principal transmitter of the parasite\u00a0Theileria\u00a0orientalis, a major cause of production loss in cattle.<\/p>\n
Emerging evidence suggests that bites from\u00a0H. longicornis contribute to alpha-gal syndrome in humans, a red-meat allergy linked to a carbohydrate (galactose-\u03b1-1,3-galactose) in tick saliva.<\/p>\n
Professor Nijhof explained that traditionally, tick research has depended on the use of live animals.<\/p>\n
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This is not only labour-intensive, costly and ethically challenging, but also risks introducing substantial variability due to host immune responses, grooming behaviour and individual differences in tick attachment and feeding success.”<\/p>\n
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Ard\u00a0Nijhof, Professor, Freie Universit\u00e4t Berlin<\/p>\n
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Professor Jabbar said the new laboratory platform eliminates the need for animals to host the ticks.<\/p>\n
“The platform uses a thin silicone membrane and cattle blood from which the clotting protein fibrin has been removed, to replicate key features of natural feeding,” Professor Jabbar said.<\/p>\n