Veterinary Parasitology > Ticks > Flashcards

Ticks Flashcards

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1
Q

What are the general characteristics of ticks?

A

They act as pests and transmit various pathogens and toxins. They exhibit great variation in size and can survive long periods off of the host. There are significant production losses due to ticks and tick-borne diseases.

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2
Q

Describe the morphology of the Ixodidae family of hard ticks.

A

They have a scutum (hard chitinous covering) that covers the entire surface of males and a small area behind the head in females, prominent mouthparts, festoons (notches) that are sometimes present in the posterior margin, and ornate enamel-like colored patches.

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3
Q

What is the stigmata of ticks?

A

The respiratory opening located posterior to coxae IV.

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4
Q

Describe the eyes of ticks.

A

They are located on either side of the scutal margin in all ticks except Haemaphysalis and Ixodes.

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5
Q

What body parts are lacking in a tick?

A

Ticks have no wings, antennae, or compound eyes.

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6
Q

What are the two main parts of the body of a tick?

A

Cephalothorax: gnathosoma/capitulum (head) with 3 structures specialized for feeding and holding onto the host. Idiosoma: body posterior to the capitulum including 4 pairs of legs.

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7
Q

Where is the anal opening of a tick?

A

Usually subterminal.

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8
Q

Where is the genital opening of a tick?

A

At the level of the coxa of the 4th pair of legs.

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9
Q

What is Haller’s organ on ticks?

A

A humidity/olfactory receptor on the 1st tarsus.

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10
Q

Describe the 3 structures that make up the mouthparts of a tick.

A

A pair of pedipalps that act as sensory organs to locate feeding sites, a pair of chelicerae used to pierce or tear the skin, and a hypostome that is an anchoring device with a dorsal groove for the flow of saliva and blood.

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11
Q

Describe the morphology of the Argasidae family of soft ticks.

A

They have no scutum; a leathery, textured surface with grooves and folds; mouthparts not visible dorsally; they don’t swell as much as hard ticks; stigmata between coxae 3 and 4; eyes in supra-coxal fold.

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12
Q

Describe the basic life cycle of a tick.

A

Incomplete metamorphosis: egg -> larva -> nymph -> adult.

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13
Q

What are the 3 types of hard ticks?

A

1, 2, or 3-host depending on the number of hosts involved in the life cycle.

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14
Q

Describe the general host-seeking activity of hard ticks.

A

Seasonal, but some species and/or stages are known to be active year-round.

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15
Q

Describe the one-host tick life cycle.

A

One-host ixodid ticks remain on the same host for the larval, nymphal, and adult stages, only leaving the host prior to laying eggs.

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16
Q

Describe the two-host tick life cycle.

A

These ticks spend their larval and nymphal stages on one host, usually a small mammal, drop off that host to overwinter and molt into adult stage, and then find a second host, usually a large mammal; life cycle usually spans 2 years.

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17
Q

Describe the three-host tick life cycle.

A

Different hosts for larval, nymphal, and adult stages (usually small mammals for larval and nymphal stages, then large mammal as an adult); life cycle spans 2-3 years.

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18
Q

Describe the habitats of ticks.

A

Distribution dependent on climate; different genera and species have different thresholds for temperature and humidity.

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19
Q

What are endophilic vs exophilic ticks?

A

Endophilic ticks are nidicolous and use the host’s nest/shelter to hunt for them. Exophilic ticks are non-nidicolous and engage in host-seeking behavior when climatic conditions favor their development and reproduction.

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20
Q

Describe the soft tick life cycle.

A

More primitive, nest parasites, feed quickly and repeatedly, and return to resting place between meals.

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21
Q

Describe the veterinary importance of ticks.

A

Anemia and dermatosis due to feeding on blood and tissue fluids; local lesions can lead to hyperemia, itching, necrosis, and secondary infections; production loss due to tick worry causing reduced weight gain, milk production, and hide damage.

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22
Q

How do ticks spread disease?

A

They are biological vectors for viruses, bacteria, rickettsia, and protozoa; can cause paralysis and toxicosis due to toxins in salivary secretions.

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23
Q

Describe transovarial spread of disease vs transstadial transmission in ticks.

A

Transovarial: disease spread from one generation to the next from the egg stage. Transstadial: disease spread from one stage to the next, but not from the eggs.

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24
Q

What are the genera to know within the Ixodidae family of ticks?

A

Ixodes, Dermacentor, Rhipicephalus, Haemaphysalis, Hyalomma, and Amblyomma.

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25
What are the characteristics of the Ixodes genus of ticks?
Small with no eyes, worldwide distribution, inornate, 3-host ticks, and distinctive anal groove that encircles the anus anteriorly.
26
What are the common names of Ixodes ricinus, I. scapularis, and I. pacificus?
I. ricinus: sheep/castor mean tick; I. scapularis: blacklegged/deer tick; I. pacificus: western blacklegged tick.
27
What are the seasonalities/habitats of Ixodes ricinus, I. scapularis, and I. pacificus?
I. ricinus: Europe, seasonal activity varies greatly, areas of rough grazing - high moisture-retaining areas (woodlands), life cycle can take 4 years to complete. I. scapularis: widespread eastern, south central and midwestern USA into Mexico, adults active fall and early spring (and winter in southern latitudes), larvae most abundant in summer, life cycle can take 2 years to complete. I. pacificus: western USA, adult primarily active in fall and winter.
28
What are the hosts of Ixodes ricinus, I. scapularis, and I. pacificus?
I. ricinus: most mammals, birds, reptiles; I. scapularis: immature stages feed on small mammals, lizards, and birds; adults feed on white-tailed deer primarily; I. pacificus: most mammals.
29
What are the diseases of Ixodes ricinus, I. scapularis, and I. pacificus?
I. ricinus: Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, louping ill virus, Babesia divergens; I. scapularis: Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Anaplasma platys, Babesia microti (humans), Powassan virus disease; I. pacificus: Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum.
30
What are the characteristics of the Dermacentor genus?
Medium size, has festoons, eyes, and a scutum that is almost always ornamented, anal groove below the anus, and can be 1 or 3 host ticks.
31
What are the common names of Dermacentor variabiles, D. andersoni, and D. nitens?
D. variabiles: american dog tick; D. andersoni: rocky mountain wood tick; D. nitens: tropical horse tick.
32
What are the life cycles of Dermacentor variabiles, D. andersoni, and D. nitens?
D. variabiles: 3 host; D. andersoni: 3 host; D. nitens: 1 host.
33
What are the hosts of Dermacentor variabiles, D. andersoni, and D. nitens?
D. variabiles: immature stages feed on rodents and other small mammals, adults on larger mammals/humans; D. andersoni: immature stages feed on rodents and other small mammals, adults on larger mammals/humans; D. nitens: important pest of livestock; typically infests the ears.
34
What are the seasonalities/habitats of Dermacentor variabiles, D. andersoni, and D. nitens?
D. variabiles: mainly located east of the US Rocky Mountains and in some areas of the Pacific Coast; larvae and nymphs active in late winter and spring; adults late spring and early summer. D. andersoni: restricted to western North America, areas of low, bushy vegetation; adults and nymphs - late spring and early summer; larvae - summer; life cycle takes 1-2 years to complete. D. nitens: southern Florida and southern Texas in USA; tropical Central and South America and parts of the Caribbean; year-round on animals.
35
What are the diseases of Dermacentor variabiles, D. andersoni, and D. nitens?
D. variabiles: Rickettsia rickettsia (Rocky Mountain spotted fever), Francisella tularensis (tularemia), Anaplasma marginale, Cytauxzoon felis, tick paralysis (dogs, humans); D. andersoni: Rickettsia rickettsii, Colorado tick fever virus, Anaplasma marginale, tick paralysis (cattle & sheep); D. nitens: Theileria equi, Babesia caballi, predispose to myiasis fly attack.
36
What are the characteristics of the Rhipicephalus genus?
Medium size, eyes present in most, festoons present and a scutum that is almost always inornate, worldwide distribution, and 1, 2, or 3 host varieties.
37
What are the common names of Rhipicephalus microplus/R. annulatus and R. sanguineus?
R. microplus/R. annulatus: southern cattle fever tick/cattle fever tick; R. sanguineus: brown dog tick.
38
What are the life cycles of Rhipicephalus microplus/R. annulatus and R. sanguineus?
R. microplus/R. annulatus: 1 host; R. sanguineus: 3 host.
39
What are the hosts of Rhipicephalus microplus/R. annulatus and R. sanguineus?
R. microplus/R. annulatus: primarily cattle; R. sanguineus: primarily dogs.
40
What are the seasonalities/habitats of Rhipicephalus microplus/R. annulatus and R. sanguineus?
R. microplus/R. annulatus: worldwide - subtropical and tropical areas; in USA now confined to southern Texas & southern California; active throughout the year in tropics; 2-4 generations per year. R. sanguineus: most widely distributed tick in the world; can complete life cycle indoors (60 days); can be year-round.
41
What are the diseases of Rhipicephalus microplus/R. annulatus and R. sanguineus?
R. microplus/R. annulatus: cattle: Babesia bigemina and Babesia bovis, Anaplasma marginale; R. sanguineus: Ehrlichia canis, Anaplasma platys, Hepatozoon canis, Babesia vogeli, Babesia gibsoni, and Babesia conradae, Rickettsia rickettsii.
42
What are the characteristics of the Haemaphysalis genus?
Small to medium, no eyes, inornate scutum, festoons, and anal groove posterior to anus; 3-host; parasitize birds and mammals.
43
What is the common name of Haemaphysalis longicornis?
Asian longhorned tick/longhorned tick.
44
What is the life cycle of Haemaphysalis longicornis?
3 host.
45
What is the host of Haemaphysalis longicornis?
Most mammals and birds.
46
What is the seasonality/habitat of Haemaphysalis longicornis?
East and Central Asia; recently (2017) introduced in USA - already found in 12 states; warm-temperate environments - tall grassy areas near forests and meadows with high humidity at soil surface; larvae feed late summer or early fall; nymphs overwinter and feed early spring and adults from late July; one generation per year.
47
What are the diseases of Haemaphysalis longicornis?
Theileria orientalis, Coxiella burnetii; role as competent vector in USA is unclear.
48
What are the characteristics of the Hyalomma genus?
Large with elongated palps and eyes; has festoons, banded legs, and an inornate scutum; 2 host; distribution limited to the Old World.
49
What is the host specificity of Hyalomma spp?
Most mammals, birds, and humans.
50
What is the seasonality and habitat of Hyalomma spp?
Asia, Middle East, the Mediterranean basin, parts of southern Europe, and some parts of northern sub-Saharan Africa; ability to adapt to a wide range of conditions and a variety of habitats.
51
What are the diseases of Hyalomma spp?
Theileria annulata, Theileria equi, Babesia caballi, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus.
52
What are the characteristics of the Amblyomma genus of ticks?
Large with eyes, festoons, and elongated palps; ornate scutum with varying colored iridescent patterns; 3 host; worldwide distribution.
53
What are the common names of Amblyomma americanum, A. maculatum, and A. cajennense?
A. americanum: lone star tick; A. maculatum: gulf coast tick; A. cajennense: cayenne tick.
54
What are the hosts of Amblyomma americanum, A. maculatum, and A. cajennense?
A. americanum: most mammals, rodents, and birds; A. maculatum: larvae and nymphs on a wide range of birds and small mammals; adults on head and ears of ruminants; A. cajennense: larvae on birds and small mammals; adults on horses mainly.
55
What are the seasonalities/habitats of Amblyomma americanum, A. maculatum, and A. cajennense?
A. americanum: widespread in the southeastern and eastern USA; wooded areas (deer); nymphs & adults - late spring; larvae - late summer; one generation per year. A. maculatum: southeastern and southcentral United States and Central America; favor grasslands & prairies; adults active early spring - peak in late summer; immatures peak after adult peak; one generation per year. A. cajennense: cold sensitive; shrub and brushland habitats of southern Texas, Central America, and Caribbean Islands; all year round (peak March-May); one or more generation per year.
56
What are the diseases of Amblyomma americanum, A. maculatum, and A. cajennense?
A. americanum: Q-fever, Ehrlichia spp. (animals & humans), Rickettsia rickettsii, Cytauxzoon felis, Alpha-gal syndrome; A. maculatum: experimental vector - Ehrlichia ruminantium, Rickettsia parkeri (humans), Hepatozoon americanum, tick paralysis (dogs & humans); A. cajennense: Rickettsia rickettsia, Theileria equi.
57
What are the genera to know within the Argasidae family?
Argas, Carios, Orn.
58
What diseases are associated with Amblyomma americanum?
Q-fever, Ehrlichia spp. (animals & humans), Rickettsia rickettsii, Cytauxzoon felis, Alpha-gal syndrome
59
What diseases are associated with Amblyomma maculatum?
Experimental vector - Ehrlichia ruminantium, Rickettsia parkeri (humans), Hepatozoon Americanum, Tick paralysis (dogs & humans)
60
What diseases are associated with Amblyomma cajennense?
Rickettsia rickettsia, Theileria equi
61
What are the genera to know within the Argasidae family?
Argas, Carios, Ornithodoros, and Otobius
62
What are the characteristics of the Argas genus?
- No eyes - Ventral palps with a leathery, folded cuticle - Multi-host - Dry environments worldwide
63
What is the common name for Argas persicus, A. radiatus, A. sanchezi, and A. miniatus?
Fowl tick
64
What is the host for Argas persicus, A. radiatus, A. sanchezi, and A. miniatus?
Feed under wings and sparsely feathered areas of domestic fowl and wild birds
65
What is the seasonality/habitats for Argas persicus, A. radiatus, A. sanchezi, and A. miniatus?
- A. persicus - Tropical & warmer regions of Old world, rare USA. - Others western USA, Mexico, Central & South America. - In poultry houses during warm, dry season. - Can survive 1 or many years in absence of host.
66
What are the diseases for Argas persicus, A. radiatus, A. sanchezi, and A. miniatus?
Aegyptianella pullorum, Borrelia anserina, Tick toxicosis/paralysis
67
What are the characteristics of the Ornithodoros genus?
- No eyes - Rounded body margin - Multi-host - Worldwide distribution - Ventral palps and a leathery cuticle with tiny wrinkles and small protuberances called mammillae
68
What is the common name of Ornithodoros coroaceus?
Pajahuello tick
69
What is the host of Ornithodoros coroaceus?
Primarily cattle and deer
70
What is the seasonality/habitat of Ornithodoros coroaceus?
Animal bedding areas in Pacific Coast down to Mexico; adult can survive for years
71
What are the diseases of Ornithodoros coroaceus?
Epizootic bovine abortion, Tick toxicosis/paralysis
72
What are the characteristics of the Otobius genus?
- No eyes - Ventral palps - Leathery, integument of the nymphs is spinose, whereas that of the adult is granulated - One-host - Found in North America, Africa, and Asia
73
What is the common name of Otobius megnini?
Spinose ear tick
74
What is the host of Otobius megnini?
Mainly cattle and horses; larvae and nymphs feed in external ear canal but adults do not feed
75
What is the seasonality/habitat of Otobius megnini?
- From western Canada, western & southwestern USA, Mexico, Central & South America, Africa, India. - Can occur year-round, but most prevalent in late winter and spring
76
What are the diseases transmitted by Otobius megnini?
None known, but does cause secondary infection in ear canal and predispose to myiasis flies
77
What is alpha-gal allergy in humans?
A hypersensitivity reaction that develops after a bite by Amblyomma americanum in which humans express an allergic reaction to red meat
78
What is the common name of the pentastomida class?
Tongue worms
79
What are pentastomida worms?
Aberrant arthropods that look like annelid worms and are obligate parasites of the lower and sometimes upper respiratory tract
80
Describe the appearance of Linguatula serrata.
- Broader anteriorly - 4 anterior hooklets - Transverse striations on body
81
Linguatula serrata is often _________ in the host.
Asymptomatic
82
What is the veterinary importance of Linguatula serrata?
- Inflammation of MM resulting in chronic muco-purulent discharge - Reverse sneezing
83
How is Linguatula serrata diagnosed?
Eggs present in nasal discharge and/or feces of host
84
What is the treatment for Linguatula serrata?
- Mechanical removal of adults - Off label usage of macrocyclic lactones
Veterinary Parasitology
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