scholarly journals Cytauxzoonosis in North America

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1170
Author(s):  
Mason V. Reichard ◽  
Tiana L. Sanders ◽  
Pabasara Weerarathne ◽  
James H. Meinkoth ◽  
Craig A. Miller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Close Association ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Clinical Pathology ◽  
Dermacentor Variabilis ◽  
Amblyomma Americanum ◽  
South Central ◽  
Tick Infection ◽  
Tick Borne Disease ◽  
Dog Tick

Cytauxzoonosis is an emerging tick-borne disease of domestic and wild felids produced by infection of Cytauxzoon felis, an apicomplexan protozoan similar to Theileria spp. Transmitted by Amblyomma americanum, lone star tick, and Dermacentor variabilis, American dog tick, infection of C. felis in cats is severe, characterized by depression, lethargy, fever, hemolytic crisis, icterus, and possibly death. Cytauxzoonosis occurs mainly in the southern, south-central, and mid-Atlantic United States in North America, in close association with the distribution and activity of tick vectors. Infection of C. felis, although severe, is no longer considered uniformly fatal, and unless moribund, every attempt to treat cytauxzoonosis cats should be made. Herein we review cytauxzoonosis, including its etiology, affected species, its life cycle and pathogenesis, clinical signs, diagnosis, and epidemiology, emphasizing clinical pathology findings in cats infected with this important emerging tick-borne disease in North and South America.

Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) Parasitizing Domestic Dogs in Southeastern Georgia

2004 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 426-432 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan B. Wells ◽  
Lance A. Durden ◽  
John H. Smoyer
Keyword(s):  
Gulf Coast ◽  
Ixodes Scapularis ◽  
Rhipicephalus Sanguineus ◽  
Dermacentor Variabilis ◽  
Amblyomma Americanum ◽  
Domestic Dogs ◽  
Gopher Tortoise ◽  
Gulf Coast Tick ◽  
Dog Tick ◽  
Ixodes Affinis

Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) were collected from family-owned domestic dogs, Canis familiaris L., in Bulloch Co., GA, from 1996 to 2003 and from dogs maintained in a shelter in Emanuel Co., GA, in 2002 and 2003. A total of 2,466 ticks representing 9 species was recovered. The most frequently recovered species from family-owned dogs were the blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis Say (54.6% of all ticks from this group of dogs), and American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis (Say) (27.7%). Collections from shelter-maintained dogs were dominated by the brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille) (73.6%). Except for 39 nymphs of the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum (L.), 12 nymphs of R. sanguineus, 7 nymphs of the Gulf Coast tick, Amblyomma maculatum Koch, 1 nymph of D. variabilis and 72 larvae of the gopher tortoise tick, Amblyomma tuberculatum Marx, only adult ticks were present. Seasonally, I. scapularis adults were recorded from October through May and were most common in the fall; whereas, A. americanum, A. maculatum, A. tuberculatum, D. variabilis, and Ixodes affinis Neumann were all found only during the spring, summer and/or early fall. Two species of ticks collected during this study, A. tuberculatum and I. affinis, have Coastal Plain distributions in the southern U.S. and would only be expected to parasitize dogs within this region.

scholarly journals Assessing the current and future potential geographic distribution of the American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis (Say) (Acari: Ixodidae) in North America

PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (8) ◽  
pp. e0237191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gunavanthi D. Y. Boorgula ◽  
A. Townsend Peterson ◽  
Desmond H. Foley ◽  
Roman R. Ganta ◽  
Ram K. Raghavan
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Geographic Distribution ◽  
Dermacentor Variabilis ◽  
American Dog Tick ◽  
Future Potential ◽  
Dog Tick ◽  
Potential Geographic Distribution

scholarly journals Effects of Climate on the Variation in Abundance of Three Tick Species in Illinois

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
E A Bacon ◽  
H Kopsco ◽  
P Gronemeyer ◽  
N Mateus-Pinilla ◽  
R L Smith
Keyword(s):  
Tick Species ◽  
Ixodes Scapularis ◽  
Species Abundance ◽  
Dermacentor Variabilis ◽  
Amblyomma Americanum ◽  
Differential Impact ◽  
Tick Abundance ◽  
Network Analyses ◽  
Average Temperature ◽  
Tick Borne Disease

Abstract The range of ticks in North America has been steadily increasing likely, in part, due to climate change. Along with it, there has been a rise in cases of tick-borne disease. Among those medically important tick species of particular concern are Ixodes scapularis Say (Acari: Ixodidae), Dermacentor variabilis Say (Acari: Ixodidae), and Amblyomma americanum Linneaus (Acari: Ixodidae). The aim of this study was to determine if climate factors explain existing differences in abundance of the three aforementioned tick species between two climatically different regions of Illinois (Central and Southern), and if climate variables impact each species differently. We used both zero-inflated regression approaches and Bayesian network analyses to assess relationships among environmental variables and tick abundance. Results suggested that the maximum average temperature and total precipitation are associated with differential impact on species abundance and that this difference varied by region. Results also reinforced a differential level of resistance to desiccation among these tick species. Our findings help to further define risk periods of tick exposure for the general public, and reinforce the importance of responding to each tick species differently.

scholarly journals Unexpected winter questing activity of ticks in the Central Midwestern United States

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. e0259769
Author(s):  
Ram K. Raghavan ◽  
Zoe L. Koestel ◽  
Gunavanthi Boorgula ◽  
Ali Hroobi ◽  
Roman Ganta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gulf Coast ◽  
Ixodes Scapularis ◽  
Dermacentor Variabilis ◽  
Amblyomma Americanum ◽  
Seasonal Activity ◽  
Winter Activity ◽  
Questing Activity ◽  
Gulf Coast Tick ◽  
Dog Tick ◽  
Insight Into

Unexpected questing activity of ticks was noted during the winter months of January and February in the Central Midwestern states of Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. From nine geographically distinct locations, four species of ticks were collected using the flagging method, of which the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum, was most abundant, followed by the American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis, the Gulf coast tick, Amblyomma maculatum, and the Black legged tick, Ixodes scapularis. More A. americanum nymphs were caught questing than male or female adults. The winter activity of these medically important ticks in this region poses concern for public health and offers an insight into future tick activity in light of ongoing climate change. More studies on the seasonality of these tick species, and how different climate parameters affect their seasonal activity in this region are warranted and would be expected to benefit for both human and veterinary medicine.

scholarly journals Equine attachment site preferences and seasonality of common North American ticks: Amblyomma americanum, Dermacentor albipictus, and Ixodes scapularis

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kellee D. Sundstrom ◽  
Megan W. Lineberry ◽  
Amber N. Grant ◽  
Kathryn T. Duncan ◽  
Michelle M. Ientile ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Tick Infestation ◽  
Ixodes Scapularis ◽  
Attachment Site ◽  
Dermacentor Variabilis ◽  
Amblyomma Americanum ◽  
Site Preferences ◽  
Dermacentor Albipictus ◽  
Attachment Sites ◽  
Axillary Region

Abstract Background Ticks are common on horses, but recent publications characterizing equine tick infestations in North America are lacking. Methods To further understand attachment site preferences of common ticks of horses, and to document the seasonality of equine tick infestation in northeastern Oklahoma, horses from eight farms were evaluated twice a month over a 1-year period. Each horse was systematically inspected beginning at the head and moving caudally to the tail. Attachment sites of ticks were recorded and all ticks collected were identified to species and stage. Results Horses (26 males and 62 females) enrolled in the study ranged in age from 1 to 23 years (mean = 12, 95% CI 11–13). A total of 2731 ticks were collected; 84.1% (74/88) of the horses were infested (median = 3 ticks) at one or more examinations. Five tick species were identified, including Amblyomma americanum (78.2%; 2136/2731), Ixodes scapularis (18.2%; 497/2731), Dermacentor albipictus brown variant (2.6%; 71/2731), Dermacentor variabilis (0.7%; 20/2731), and Amblyomma maculatum (0.3%; 7/231). Most ticks were adults (83.6%; 2282/2731), but immature A. americanum (436/2136; 20.4%), D. albipictus (12/71; 16.9%), and A. maculatum (n = 1) were occasionally recovered. Amblyomma americanum were most often attached to the inguinal area, and I. scapularis and D. albipictus were most commonly found on the chest and axillary region (P < 0.0001). Ticks were found on horses in every month of the year. The largest number of ticks (638/2731; 23.4%) were collected in May (P < 0.0001). Amblyomma americanum, primarily immature, was the only tick recovered in September, I. scapularis and D. albipictus predominated October through February, and both A. americanum and I. scapularis were common in March. In the warmer months, April through August, A. americanum was the most common tick, followed by D. variabilis and A. maculatum. Conclusions This research confirms that ticks common on horses in North America have attachment site preferences and that ticks infest horses in Oklahoma throughout the year, including during the winter. Additional research is warranted to fully understand the risk these infestations pose to equine health. Graphical abstract

Evaluation of Five Popular Methods for Tick Removal

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1985 ◽  
Vol 75 (6) ◽  
pp. 997-1002
Author(s):  
Glen R. Needham
Keyword(s):  
Isopropyl Alcohol ◽  
Domestic Animal ◽  
Dermacentor Variabilis ◽  
Amblyomma Americanum ◽  
Petroleum Jelly ◽  
American Dog Tick ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Dog Tick

Five methods commonly advocated for tick removal from a human or domestic animal were evaluated. The application of petroleum jelly, fingernail polish, 70% isopropyl alcohol, or a hot kitchen match failed to induce detachment of adult American dog ticks (Dermacentor variabilis Say) attached for either 12 to 15 hours or three to four days. Use of forceps or protected fingers enabled satisfactory removal of 29 adult American dog ticks without leaving the mouthparts or attachment cement in the host skin. Four different methods were used to pull lone star ticks [Amblyomma americanum (L)] off the host using forceps (twisting, pulling steadily or jerking straight up, or pulling parallel with the skin). None of the mouthparts broke off, but, contrary to the American dog tick, the cement remained in the skin for all 22 of the Lone Star ticks. It is recommended that the tick be grasped as close to the skin as possible with curved forceps; if these are not available, use tweezers or protected fingers. Pull straight up with steady even pressure. If cement or mouthparts remain, then extract if that is practical. Disinfect bite site before and after tick removal.

Distribution, Dynamics, and Diversity of Questing Ticks in the Lower Midwest

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Wojan ◽  
Thomas Thrasher ◽  
Evan Lacey ◽  
Keith Clay
Keyword(s):  
Negative Binomial ◽  
Ixodes Scapularis ◽  
Negative Binomial Regression ◽  
Dermacentor Variabilis ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Amblyomma Americanum ◽  
South Central ◽  
The Status ◽  
Forested Areas

Abstract We investigated the spatiotemporal patterns of medically important tick species in southcentral Indiana in 2018 and 2019. In recent decades, both Amblyomma americanum (Acari: Ixodidae) (Linnaeus) and Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) (Say) have been expanding their ranges into the Midwest. We report updates to the status of A. americanum, I. scapularis, and Dermacentor variabilis (Acari: Ixodidae) (Say) across 13 counties in southern and south-central Indiana. We found more northerly establishment of A. americanum and more widespread establishment of I. scapularis than previously reported in the literature. We also provide the first report of Amblyomma maculatum (Acari: Ixodidae) (Koch) in Indiana. Using negative binomial regression, we observed significant spatial variation among sampling sites in A. americanum adults and nymphs, D. variabilis adults, and I. scapularis nymphs. Further, we found higher densities of A. americanum nymphs and I. scapularis adults in more forested areas as opposed to less forested, more developed areas. We did not find significant interannual variation in tick densities for any species. More southern sites featured higher densities of A. americanum adults and nymphs, D. variabilis adults, and I. scapularis nymphs than more northern sites. Seasonally, we observed the highest peaks in tick activity in the spring and early summer, but I. scapularis adults were most common in the early spring and fall. Average adult A. americanum and adult D. variabilis densities were positively correlated at our sites. Our results reflect the northward expansion of A. americanum in the Lower Midwest, as well as the increasing geographic prevalence of I. scapularis in the region.

scholarly journals Likely Geographic Distributional Shifts among Medically Important Tick Species and Tick-Associated Diseases under Climate Change in North America: A Review

Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 225
Author(s):  
Abdelghafar Alkishe ◽  
Ram K. Raghavan ◽  
Andrew T. Peterson
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
North America ◽  
Tick Species ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Dermacentor Variabilis ◽  
Amblyomma Americanum ◽  
Ecological Niche Models ◽  
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever ◽  
Associated Diseases

Ticks rank high among arthropod vectors in terms of numbers of infectious agents that they transmit to humans, including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Colorado tick fever, human monocytic ehrlichiosis, tularemia, and human granulocytic anaplasmosis. Increasing temperature is suspected to affect tick biting rates and pathogen developmental rates, thereby potentially increasing risk for disease incidence. Tick distributions respond to climate change, but how their geographic ranges will shift in future decades and how those shifts may translate into changes in disease incidence remain unclear. In this study, we have assembled correlative ecological niche models for eight tick species of medical or veterinary importance in North America (Ixodes scapularis, I. pacificus, I. cookei, Dermacentor variabilis, D. andersoni, Amblyomma americanum, A. maculatum, and Rhipicephalus sanguineus), assessing the distributional potential of each under both present and future climatic conditions. Our goal was to assess whether and how species’ distributions will likely shift in coming decades in response to climate change. We interpret these patterns in terms of likely implications for tick-associated diseases in North America.

scholarly journals Molecular Detection of Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiae (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae) in Dermacentor variabilis (Acari: Ixodidae) Collected Along the Platte River in South Central Nebraska

2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 519-523
Author(s):  
Brandon E Luedtke ◽  
Julie J Shaffer ◽  
Estrella Monrroy ◽  
Corey W Willicott ◽  
Travis J Bourret
Keyword(s):  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Rocky Mountain ◽  
Dermacentor Variabilis ◽  
Amblyomma Americanum ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever ◽  
Rickettsia Species ◽  
Platte River ◽  
Rickettsia Rickettsii ◽  
South Central

Abstract Dermacentor variabilis is the predominant tick species in Nebraska and is presumed to be the primary vector of Rickettsia rickettsii associated with cases of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF). Interestingly, RMSF cases in Nebraska have increased on a year-to-year basis, yet the prevalence of R. rickettsii in D. variabilis ticks has not been established for Nebraska. Here we sought to set a baseline for the prevalence of R. rickettsii and other spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae harbored by D. variabilis ticks. Over a 3-yr period, D. variabilis were collected along the Platte River in south central Nebraska. Individual tick DNA was analyzed using endpoint PCR to identify ticks carrying SFG rickettsiae. In total, 927 D. variabilis were analyzed by PCR and 38 (4.1%) ticks tested positive for SFG rickettsiae. Presumptive positives were sequenced to identify the Rickettsia species, of which 29 (76%) were R. montanensis, 5 (13%) were R. amblyommatis, 4 (11%) were R. bellii, and R. rickettsii was not detected. These data indicate that R. rickettsii is likely at a low prevalence in south central Nebraska and spillover of R. amblyommatis into D. variabilis is likely occurring due to the invasive lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum). In addition, our data suggest that R. montanensis and R. amblyommatis could be associated with the increase in SFG rickettsiae infections in Nebraska. This information will be of value to clinicians and the general public for evaluating diagnosis of disease- and risk-associated environmental exposure, respectively.

Climate and vector potential of medically important North American ticks.

2021 ◽  
pp. 188-192
Author(s):  
Lars Eisen ◽  
Rebecca Eisen
Keyword(s):  
Expert Opinion ◽  
North American ◽  
Vector Potential ◽  
Tick Species ◽  
Ixodes Scapularis ◽  
Dermacentor Variabilis ◽  
Amblyomma Americanum ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Pathogen Reservoir ◽  
Dog Tick

Abstract This expert opinion focuses on climate-related factors and how these interact with landscape and tick host/pathogen reservoir factors to impact the vector potential for the three most notable North American human-biting tick species: Ixodes scapularis, Amblyomma americanum and the American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis.

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