2017/03/29 by José Ribamar Lima de Souza, Rafael Neodini Remedio, Rafael Neodini Remédio +3 · 1 citation
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Immunology and Microbiology · Medicine · #Dermatological diseases and infestations #Insect Pest Control Strategies #Vector-borne infectious diseases
paper · doi:10.1002/jemt.22871
openalex publication_date 2017/03/29 · openalex created_date 2017/04/07 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/31
Several studies searching for methods to control Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l., (dog tick) infestations have been developed aiming to minimize the damages caused by these ectoparasites to the hosts and the environment, which is harmed by the indiscriminate use of toxic acaricide products. In this scenario, neem oil has been used as a natural alternative against ticks, once this chemical has repellent properties and interferes in the growth regulation of these ectoparasites, inhibiting ecdysis. The present study evaluated the effects of azadirachtin-enriched neem oil on the integument of semi-engorged R.sanguineus s.l., females through morphohistological techniques. The results showed the occurrence of significant morphological and histochemical alterations, mainly in the females exposed to higher concentrations, which demonstrates the dose-dependent action of the chemical. A decrease in the cuticle thickness was observed, as well as a modification in the distribution of the epithelial cells, which displayed pyknotic and fragmented nuclei, and intensely vacuolated cytoplasm, indicating that these cells would be undergoing death processes. These morphological alterations observed in the integument of the females exposed to the azadirachtin-enriched neem oil encourage the use of this chemical as a strategy to control these ectoparasites.