LIVESTOCK TICK RESEARCH PROGRAM, RAC TEAM REVIEW, 1/14/80 TO 1/18/80

Evaluation covers the period 9/29/78 - 9/29/79 and is based on a Research and Advisory Committee special team's review of research results as presented by the contractor, the International Center for Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) in Kenya. Significant progress has been made in both research areas. Well-designed studies are being carried out by highly competent ICIPE personnel in exemplary collaboration with other research institutes. First year accomplishments include development of an experimental skin test to identify and measure host cattle resistance to tick infestation and controlled studies to show that host animals develop resistance following prolonged exposure to ticks. Experimental physiological research results are not encouraging, however. Tests of ecdysteroids, precocene, and pheromones do not suggest that these chemicals are greatly able to disrupt the development and reproduction of ornithodoros porcinus, although ecdysteroids may be very effective against the East Coast Fever tick, rhipicephalus appendiculatus. Immunological studies, although not part of the present project, are considered integral to the total program by ICIPE. Research to date has shown that exposure helps develop cattle resistance to ticks and that antibodies produced in mammalian hosts against tick antigens are ingested by feeding ticks. Future studies will attempt to combine these two approaches to render animals resistant to tick infestation as well as immune against target antigens for ticks. ICIPE will submit a proposal for AID/W's participation in these studies. In any case, it seems clear that future tick-borne disease control programs must include not only dipping of cattle with acaracides, but also the use of chemotherapeutic drugs and immunological techniques. ICIPE's technical and research training program continues at a high level, with 74 LDC researchers trained in the last year. Third-year funding is recommended.