Amblyomma spp. (1)

Question 1

What are the common names?

Answer 1

Tropical Bont Tick

Bont tick

Amblyomma americanum: Lone star tick
Amblyomma maculatum: Gulf Coast Tick
Amblyomma cajennense: Cayenne Tick

Question 2

What are the hosts?

Answer 2

Primarily livestock

Dogs

Cats

Humans

Question 3

How do you identify?

Answer 3

Up to 5 mm unfed

Long palps

Ornate scutum

Banded legs

Several species distributed widely

Long mouthparts - difficult to remove, cause serious wounds
(secondary infections)
- A. americanum (lone star tick) females - white spot on scutum

Question 4

Explain the life cycle

Answer 4

3 host tick

Question 5

What are the predilection sites?

Answer 5

Ears

Flanks

Head

Belly

Question 6

Describe the Pathogenesis

Answer 6

Long mouthparts = painful bites

Rickettsial - heartwater

Hepatozoon americanum by ingestion of A. maculatum

Question 7

Describe the Pathogenesis of A. americanum

Answer 7

Transmits:

 - Human Monocytic ehrlichiosis 
 - Canine and human Granulocytic ehrlichiosis 
 - Cytauxzoonosis 
 - Rickettsia amblyomonii
 - R. parkeri
 - Borrelia lonestari
 - Coxiella spp. related to agent of a fever
 - Can cause tick paralysis in humans/dogs

Question 8

Describe the Pathogenesis of A. maculatum

Answer 8

Important pest in livestock (especially cattle)

Dog - transmits American canine hepatozoonosis

Question 9

Describe the Pathogenesis of A. cajennense

Answer 9

Indiscriminant to host

Vector for Rickettsia parkeri

Question 10

How do you diagnose?

Answer 10

Identification of tick

Question 11

How do you treat and prevent?

Answer 11

Several Parasiticides effective

Difference if lactating dairy cattle

Control - Elimination of any area not feasible

Question 12

What is important about Amblyomma spp.?

Answer 12

It is ZOONOTIC!