Two Atypical Cases of Tick Bites: A Fully Engorged Tick and Multiple Ticks.

Ticks have a cosmopolitan distribution and, as such, are also found in Japan. Ticks are typically ectoparasites of wild animals, however, humans can also be bitten when visiting environments inhabited by ticks. Herein, we describe two cases with atypical tick bites. Case 1 was an elderly Japanese male patient who presented with a fully engorged tick measuring 20 × 17 × 8 mm; it is rare for ticks to attain a length of 20 mm. Case 2 was an elderly Japanese female with severe dementia who presented with multiple tick bites, which is rare, after going missing for 6 days before being found in a densely wooded area. Ticks are responsible for the transmission of many infectious agents, such as bacteria, viruses and parasites. The National Institute of Infectious Diseases and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare regularly inform citizens of the risks posed by tick bites. However, the tick bites could not be prevented in our patients. Further edification about tick bites, tick-borne diseases, and their prevention are considered necessary in Japan.

First neuronal projection from Haller's organ to the synganglion and three-dimensional reconstruction of Amblyomma sculptum olfactory lobe.

Because information regarding neural and sensory functions of ticks is scarce, the aim of the present study was to ascertain the neuronal projection patterns of olfactory sensilla from Haller's organ to the olfactory lobes of the synganglion in Amblyomma sculptum adults. Additionally, the aim was to perform three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the glomeruli in the olfactory lobes. Unfed female and male adults of this tick species were immobilized, Haller's organ was sectioned, and the olfactory nerves were labelled with a neuronal tracer (1% dextran tetramethylrhodamine). The labelled olfactory lobes were observed under a confocal laser scanning microscope and the images were analyzed using the Reconstruct software. The neuronal projection originating from the olfactory sensilla of Haller's organ was found to be strictly confined to the olfactory lobes of the synganglion, which were organized into glomeruli. Males and females presented corresponding round-shaped glomeruli in the olfactory lobes. The number of glomeruli ranged from 26 to 30 in the males and 24-29 in the females. Positive correlations regarding the glomeruli volumes (µm3) intrasexually (females: r = 0.85, P < 0.05) and intersexually (r = 0.81, P < 0.05) were observed. This is the first report on 3D reconstruction of the olfactory lobes of a tick species.

Morphological and molecular characterization supporting Amblyomma mixtum presence in Cuba.

Amblyomma cajennense Fabricius, 1787 (Acari: Ixodidae) is a widely distributed tick taxon. Recent studies have reassessed this taxon as a complex of six species. Amblyomma mixtum Koch, 1844 has been suggested by some authors as the only species of this complex that is present in Cuba. Other authors have pointed a niche overlapping for A. mixtum and A. cajennense s.s. in the country. Detailed taxonomic studies on the Cuban species belonging to this complex are needed in order to evaluate their current distribution according to the recent classification. This study aimed to characterize Cuban populations from the A. cajennense complex by using tick samples obtained from 3 occidental provinces and 1 central province of the country. Morphological identification and measurements of the main relevant taxonomic structures were conducted by using Scanning Electron Microscopy. Phylogenetic analyzes were carried out with 16S ribosomal RNA, internal transcribed spacer 2 and the subunit I of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase gene sequences. The results of these studies demonstrated that all samples belonged to the species A. mixtum (Koch, 1844). This study constitutes the first molecular characterization of this Amblyomma species in Cuba. Further studies will be necessary in order to corroborate if A. cajennense s.s. is also present in the island.

First record of infestation of a pet sloth in Japan with the exotic tick Amblyomma geayi (Acari: Ixodidae).

On December 11, 2018, a single unengorged adult tick was found on the body surface of the trunk of an imported wild-caught Linnaeus's two-toed sloth (Choloepus didactylus) during a routine health check in an animal clinic in Tokyo, Japan. The tick was identified as Amblyomma geayi based on the morphological and molecular characteristics. This is the first case of the introduction of an Amblyomma species to Japan via an imported pet sloth. The present study highlights the current loopholes in Japan's regulatory system for animal imports.

New Records of Ticks of Genus Amblyomma Koch, 1844 (Acari: Ixodidae) for Ecuador.

PURPOSE: In Ecuador, knowledge of the diversity and geographic distribution of ticks, as well as their importance as vectors, is scarce. Within the family Ixodidae, the genus Amblyomma is the most diverse and parasitizes wild and domestic animals. This genus is represented by 19 species in Ecuador, 12 of which occur in the continental territory and 7 in the Galapagos Islands. In this way, the objective of this work was to update the diversity of ticks reported for Ecuador on wild and domestic animals. METHODS: The specimens were collected manually on mammals and birds, in four localities belonging to the Sierra and Amazon of Ecuador and were kept in tubes with 96% ethyl alcohol. After that, all specimens were separated into immatures, males and females and were identified using their morphological characters. RESULTS: This study records Amblyomma coelebs Neumann, 1899, Amblyomma longirostre (Koch, 1844) Neumann, 1905 and Amblyomma varium Koch, 1844 for the first time in Ecuador. Thus, the genus Amblyomma is currently represented by 22 species. In addition, their hosts, distribution, and importance are also discussed. CONCLUSIONS: Knowing the diversity of ticks that wildlife possesses, its interrelation with the domestic fauna, and the possible pathogens that could be transmitting could significantly contribute to wildlife's conservation.