Ixodes spp. (1)

Question 1

What is important about Ixodes spp.?

Answer 1

It is ZOONOTIC!

Question 2

What are the hosts for larvae and nymphs?

Answer 2

Small rodents

Birds

Question 3

What are the hosts of adults?

Answer 3

Many animals

Humans

Question 4

How do you identify?

Answer 4

Small

10 mm fed

No festoons

Inornate scutum

Dark brown

Up to 4 mm unfed

Long palps

Anal groove anterior to anus

Largest genus - 250 species

 - U.S.
       - I. scapularis
       - I. pacificus

Question 5

Explain the life cycle

Answer 5

3 host tick

Host may be same animal, another animal of same species, or member of another species
- Adults prefer larger animals - commonly deer

Can take several months-years to complete
- Depends on host availability

Requires adult females to engorge in fall, overwinter and lay eggs in spring
- When adult females do not find suitable host, life cycle will take
longer to complete

When same delays occur with other tick stages, development will also take longer
- Up to 4 years

Question 6

What are the predilection sites?

Answer 6

Axilla

Inguinal region

Face

Ears

Skin all over body

Question 7

Describe the Pathogenesis

Answer 7

Local skin reactions to bites

Transmits:

 - Borrelia burgdorferi (agent of Lyme disease)
 - Ehrlichia spp.
 - Human and Canine Granulocytic Anaplasmosis 
 - I. scapularis - Human babesiosis 

Some cause paralysis

Question 8

How do you diagnose?

Answer 8

Engorged females seen easily

Question 9

What are the common names?

Answer 9

Black-legged tick

Deer tick