Answer to Case 506

Answer: Hard tick, Hyalommasp.As many of you noted, this is one of the " Old World " ticks found in many parts of North Africa, South Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Europe.Here are a few important facts about this tick :They are one of the most medically important ticks in the Old World. Important species includeHyalomma marginatum(MediterraneanHyalomma), H. trucantum, H. asiaticum, H. excavatum, H. aegyptium, H. scupense andH. rufipes. They are vectors for several important disease agents, including Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus, several Rickettsia spp., Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Coxiella burnetii, and possibly Rift Valley Fever virus. They have also been implicated in human tick paralysis. Both female and male ticks bite humans and can transmit pathogens.Compared toIxodesticks which climb vegetation and wait for a host to walk by,Hyalommaactively seek out their hosts (similar toAmblyommmaspp.).The tick is not endemic to North America, but there have been a series of case reports detailing importedHyalommaspecies on humans, animals, and animal products. Check out the report that Blaine Mathison and I recently publishedHERE.This is the second case of importedHyalomma that has been brought to my attention in just the past 3 years, and the 3rd that Blaine has seen (!) highlighting the important of appropriate recognition and tick identification. As Blaine and I mention in our manuscript,Hyalommaspp. m...
Source: Creepy Dreadful Wonderful Parasites - Category: Parasitology Source Type: blogs