Tick toxicosis in a dog bitten by Ornithodoros brasiliensis

Abstract

Ticks are hematophagous parasites of people and animals and are a public health hazard in several countries. They are vectors of infectious diseases; in addition, the bite of some ticks, mainly from the Ornithodoros genus, may lead to local lesions and systemic illness, referred to as tick toxicosis. In this report, we describe a dog bitten by Ornithodoros brasiliensis, popularly known as the mouro tick. The main clinical findings were disseminated skin rash, pruritus, mucosal hyperemia, lethargy, and fever. Laboratory abnormalities 48 hours after the bites occurred included mild nonregenerative anemia, eosinophilia, basophilia, increased serum creatine kinase activity, increased serum C-reactive protein concentration, and prolonged coagulation times. Tick-borne pathogens were not detected by PCR analysis or serologic testing, supporting the diagnosis of a noninfectious syndrome due to tick bite, compatible with tick toxicosis.

Life cycle of Ornithodoros rostratus (Acari: Argasidae) under experimental conditions and comments on the host-parasite relationship in the Pantanal wetland region, Brazil

“…These signs are rather common results of argasid ticks feeding. Furthermore, signs of flaccid paralysis seen in the heavily parasitized dog are compatible with the ''tick toxicosis'' described by Reck et al (2011) in a dog infested by O. brasiliensis in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.…”

Dogs, cats, parasites, and humans in Brazil: opening the black box

“…[9]. Furthermore, ticks can also cause toxicosis, as it has recently been reported in a dog bitten by the mouro tick Ornithodoros brasiliensis in Brazil [10]. …”

Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever Spirochetes in the Americas

“…Moreover, the patient described the death of a pet that was parasitized by the ticks [ 106 ]. The ticks are aggressive toward humans and animals, and have been collected in domestic and peridomestic settings of the Southern Brazilian highlands above 900 m [ 103 , 105 , 107 ]. O. brasiliensis buries itself in ~5–40 mm of aluminic humic cambisol acidic soil under human dwellings, sheds, and storehouses [ 105 ].…”

“…O. brasiliensis buries itself in ~5–40 mm of aluminic humic cambisol acidic soil under human dwellings, sheds, and storehouses [ 105 ]. In addition to a potential vector of RF spirochetes, the bite of O. brasiliensis is associated with necrosis of the attachment site and delayed wound healing [ 107 , 108 , 109 ]. More work is needed to understand the ecology and public health significance of O. brasiliensis .…”