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Development and validation of software that quantifies the larval mortality of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus
Isabella C Sousa1, Weslley K R Figueredo2, Caio P Tavares1
1Parasite Control Laboratory, Federal University of Maranhão - UFMA, São Luís, MA, Brazil.
Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases
|March 13, 2022
Summary
A new automated software accurately counts tick larvae mortality, offering a faster and more objective alternative to manual methods. This tool aids in diagnosing acaricide resistance in Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus populations.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Entomology
- Parasitology
- Bioinformatics
Background:
- Synthetic acaricides are the primary method for controlling Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus.
- Increasing acaricide resistance necessitates reliable diagnostic tools for tick populations.
- Current manual methods for assessing larval mortality are subjective and time-consuming.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate an automated software for quantifying tick larval mortality.
- To provide a more efficient and objective alternative to manual counting methods.
- To support the diagnosis of acaricide resistance and the development of new control strategies.
Main Methods:
- Development of image processing software utilizing the firefly algorithm for segmentation and fast radial symmetry transform (FRST) for detection.
- Larval immersion tests with ivermectin, cypermethrin, and fipronil were conducted.
- Validation involved comparing automated counts with manual counts from multiple analysts across different video durations.
Main Results:
- The automated method showed no statistical difference in median lethal dose (LD50) compared to manual counts for ivermectin and fipronil.
- Manual LD50 for cypermethrin was up to 2.2 times lower than automated counts.
- Automated video acquisition was 2.9-4.4 times faster than manual evaluation, with consistent processing times.
Conclusions:
- The developed automated software is a validated and viable alternative for assessing tick larval mortality in toxicological assays.
- This method can significantly improve the efficiency and objectivity of diagnosing acaricide resistance.
- The software aids in research for novel acaricide development and resistance management strategies.
