Zoonotic Mites, Ticks, Fleas and Their Diseases Flashcards
For what reason will many ectoparasites attack humans?
Preference or out of starvation
T/F:Mites have a preference, but will bite anything.
True
Why is Sarcoptes so itchy?
Female burrows into skin to deposit eggs.
What are Sarcoptes mites often unable to do on the “wrong host”?
Complete life cycle
What is a common name for Chyletiella?
Walking dandruff
T/F: Humans are not very susceptible to walking dandruff.
False, humans are highly susceptible.
How can humans get rid of Cheylitiella mites?
Treat their pets
Where do chiggers like to bite people?
Under elastic, close-fitting clothing
Where can chiggers be found in the wild?
Humid undergrowth
Do bird mites feed on humans?
Yes, especially if the birds are absent.
What causes Borrelioses?
Tick-transmitted spirochetes
What are the two groups of Borrelia that cause zoonotic disease?
Lyme disease type
Relapsing fever type
What ticks transmit the Lyme disease type Borrelia?
Ixodes
What ticks transmit the Relapsing fever type Borrelia?
Soft ticks
What is the reservoir for Borrelia burgdorferi?
Sylvatic rodents
What does Lyme disease look like in people, dogs and horses?
Acute febrile illness, myalgia, sometimes arthralgia
Possibly a “bulls-eye” rash.
How long must ticks be attached to transmit Lyme?
> 48 hours
T/F: Domestic dogs can serve as “domestic” sources of infected tikcs if untreated.
True
What is the role of soft ticks in the relapsing-fever group of Borrelia’s life cycle?
Vector AND reservoir
What is a common name for Rickettsia rickettsii?
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
What is the vector for RMSF?
Dermacentor
What is the most pathogenic spotted fever group rickettsial in the US?
RMSF
What is Typhus?
Rickettsia typhi
How is typhus transmitted?
Rodent-flea life cycle
What are two intracellular bacteria closely related to rickettsia?
Ehrlichia
Anaplasma
What is the gold standard of testing for Ehrlichia and Anaplasma?
PCR
What is the vector for Anaplasma?
Ixodes
What is the vector for Ehrlichia?
Ixodes
What species does Ehrlichia chaffeensis and E. ewingii infect?
Dogs
Which Ehrlichia is zoonotic?
Ehrlichia chaffeensis
What two things are important to know to diagnose Rickettsia/Ehrlichia/Anaplasma?
History of a tick bite
Knowing which diseases occur in the region
What will you see clinically with Rickettsia/Ehrlichia/Anaplasma?
Non-specific inflammation, elevated liver enzymes, leukogram abnormalities
What two hosts are required for babesia lifecycle?
Small rodent and tick
What is the vector for Babesia?
Ixodes
What type of host are humans to Babesia?
Dead end
What species contracts Babesia?
Canines
What are the two susceptible dog breeds to Babesia?
Greyhounds and Pit bulls
What is the vector for Tularemia?
Tics and flies
What are the tick vectors for Tularemia? (3 things)
Dermacentor Variabilis
Dermacentor andersoni
Amblyoma americanum
What species is the human flea?
Pulex irritans
What can humans develop to flea saliva?
Hypersensitivity
When do zoonotic fleas bite humans?
When they’re hungry
What is a jigger flea?
Smallest flea
What do jigger fleas do?
Femal burrows into the skin and leaves a raised white spot with a central black dot.
How common are human Dipylidium cases?
Rare
