Chapter 2: Ecology of tick vectors Flashcards
What is one of the first symptoms of lyme disease?
erythema migrans — a bulls eye rash that appears
(Only occurs in a percentage of cases — still majority about 70%)
What is the “cargo”?
the pathogen or parasite
What is zoonoses?
diseases transmitted by animal(s)
Who is Theobald Smith?
Christian scientists who was the first to prove a vector (tick) with protozoan parasite (Bayesian) (Texas cattle fever - 1889)
What are some common examples of zoonotic diseases?
- lyme disease
- rocky mounted spotted disease
- malaria
- African sleeping sickness
- Chagas’ disease
- yellow fever
- giardiasis
- babeiosis
What disease & its tick causes lyme arthritis?
- borrelia bacteria
- black legged tick —> lxodes scapularis ticks
How long must a tick be attached to transmit bacteria?
4-72 hours (Average=48 hours)
Which ticks cause the majority of lyme disease?
nymphal ticks
When are nymphal ticks most active?
late may-july
What are the stages in the parasites life history? How many legs does it have in each stage?
egg —> larvae (6-legged) —> nymph (8 legs) —> adult (8 legs)
What is transovarialt transmission?
the transmission of an infectious agent from parent to offspring via infection of the developing egg which subsequently results in infectious adult arthropods
Are male or female ticks larger?
Female
What is transstadial transmission?
What is a niche?
an organisms occupation — ticks are recyclers
What is a habitat?
an organisms “address” — high living grass for ticks
What is mutualism?
2 species living together with mutual benefit
what is symbiosis?
living together — either mutualism or parasitism
What are symptoms of alpha gal syndrome? (caused by lone star ticks saliva)
- red meat allergy
- hives abdominal cramping
-life threatening possible
What are treatments/management for alpha gal syndrome?
- diet change
- epinephrine
- antihistamines
What are the vectors (2) of rocky mountain spotted fever?
- wood tick —> dermacentor andersoni
- dog tick —> dermacentor variabilis
- lone star tick —> amblyomma americanum
* tick vectors remain infected for life
Is rocky mountain spotted fever a zoonotic disease?
yes