Human Otoacariasis in Two Climatically Diverse Districts in Sri Lanka: Seasonality, Risk Factors, and Case Notes

Bandaranayaka, K. O.; Kularatne, S.A.M.; Rajapakse, R. P. V. J.; Abeysundara, U. B.; Rajapaksha, R. M. M. A.; Rajakaruna, R. S.

doi:10.1007/s11686-021-00372-w

Cited by 3 publications

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“…The primary host of D. auratus in wild boar and the tick has an island-wide distribution and a rapid increase in the population has been observed due to restricting the killing of wild boars. Nymphs of D. auratus have been identi ed as the major tick species responsible for human otoacariasis in Sri Lanka [28,38,39]. Dogs also carry this tick species, and it is possible when the wild boars visit the human habitats, the engorged females, drop-off and lay eggs and larvae can be easily picked by dogs as well as humans.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diversity and Geographic Distribution of Dog Tick Species in Sri Lanka and the Life Cycle of Brown Dog Tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus Under Laboratory Conditions

2022

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Background: Tick infestations and tick-borne diseases have become a major emerging health concern of dogs in Sri Lanka. Information about tick species infesting dogs and their geographic distribution in Sri Lanka is largely unknown. Here we determined the tick species infesting the dogs and their distribution, and described the life cycle parameters of the dominant dog tick species under laboratory conditions.Methods: An island-wide, cross-sectional survey of tick species infesting the domestic dog was carried out, and the life cycle of the major dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus was studied under laboratory conditions.Results: A total of 3,026 ticks were collected from 1,219 dogs of different breeds in all 25 districts in the three climatic zones: Wet, Dry, and Intermediate zones. Eight species in ve genera were identi ed: Rh. sanguineus (63.4%), Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides (22.0%), Haemaphysalis bispinosa (12.5%), Haemaphysalis intermedia (0.9%), Haemaphysalis turturis (0.6%), Amblyomma integrum (0.4%), Dermacentor auratus (0.2%) and Hyalomma sp (0.06%). The brown dog tick, Rh. sanguineus was the dominant species in the Dry and Wet zones, while Rh. haemaphysaloides was the dominant species in the Intermediate zone. Species diversity (presented as Shannon diversity index H) in the three was 1.135, 1.021and 0.849 in Intermediate, Dry and Wet zones, respectively. Adults formed 94.7% with a signi cantly higher number of females, and the rest were nymphs. Rhipicephalus sanguineus preferred the anterior side of the host body, speci cally the inner and outer side of the ear. In contrast, Rh. haemaphysaloides preferred the posterior side, mainly the fore and hind limbs. The three-host life cycle of Rh. sanguineus was completed within 70-126 days, all three stages successfully fed on the New Zealand white rabbits under laboratory conditions. The mean Reproductive E ciency Index (REI) and Reproductive Fitness Index (RFI) were 50.8±9.69 and 9.1±5.01, respectively. Larger females had higher reproductive success. Conclusion:The dominant dog tick species and the species diversity varied in different climatic regions of Sri Lanka. The three-host life cycle of Rh. sanguineus was successfully completed on the New Zealand white rabbits under laboratory conditions. Information on diversity, distribution and life cycle parameters is fundamental for studies of canine tick-borne infections, zoonoses, and their epidemiology.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%