Argas spp. (2)

Question 1

What are the hosts?

Answer 1

Fowl

Question 2

Describe an adult

Answer 2

Up to 8 mm unfed

Soft tick

5 mm

Flattened, leathery, textured body

Lateral line or crease

Sexes difficult to differentiate, but genital pore larger in female

Question 3

Explain the life cycle

Answer 3

All stages may be foundin cracks and crevices

Larvae can be found on birds
- Attached to feet for several days

Nymphs/Adults feed rapidly at night

 - Commonly under wings
 - Females lay as many as 500 eggs after each feeding
        - Adult females may live >4 years without a blood meal

Engorge rapidly to take advantage of available host

Survive arid conditions

Frequent feeding leads to opportunities to transmit pathogens

Question 4

What is the predilection site?

Answer 4

Skin

Most of the time hide away from hosts

Question 5

What are the clinical signs?

Answer 5

Anemia (most important!)

Weight loss

Depression

Toxemia

Paralysis

Death is rare

Red spots seen on skin

Egg production decreases

Uneasiness when roosting

Question 6

Describe the Pathogenesis

Answer 6

Transmit:

 - Fowl spirichetosis (Borrelia anserine)
 - Rickettsial organisms (Aegyptianella spp.)

Question 7

How do you treat and prevent?

Answer 7

Houses are cleaned

Walls/ceilings/cracks/crevices should be treated thoroughly (high-pressure sprayer) with appropriate acaricides
- Cracks and crevices should then be filled in

Question 8

What is the common name?

Answer 8

Fowl tick