Ticks on humans in Ankara, Turkey

Abstract

In this study, a total of 5,094 ticks found on humans were examined in terms of species, development stage, gender, host features and seasonality for a year period. Of these ticks 17 were argasid and 5,077 were ixodid. Predominantly species of the ixodid genera Hyalomma, Dermacentor, Rhipicephalus and Haemaphysalis were found on humans in Ankara (Anatolia). Most abundant were Hyalomma nymphs (29.8%) and adults (28.2%). Primary factors in terms of tick bite risk were region, habitat and season.

The species of ticks bites on human and their seasonal distribution in Ankara, Turkey

“…It is appears in the present study that tick bites occurred more frequently during the summer seasons when people spend more time in grasslands and picnic sites. This is in agreement with the previous observations (4,12,13,18).…”

“…Some researchers identified the Hyalomma nymph species as H. aegyptium and the biting ratio was 68.54% in Thrace Province (Tekirdag, Kırıkkale and Edirne) (12) and 52.19% in Istanbul (26). Also Karaer et al (18) were incubated engorged 20 Hyalomma nymphs and all of them were identified as H. aegyptium. In other studies, different tick species were found, the most common species have found as follows: Ixodes nymph and larva (33.62%) in Istanbul (17), H. anatolicum (37.1%) in Sivas (9), Rhipicephalus nymph (42.3%) in Bursa (7) and I. ricinus (50.30%) in Sakarya (13).…”

“…Previous studies in Turkey demonstrated that, mainly Hyalomma (19,21,22,25,26,28), Rhipicephalus (24) and Ixodes (19,27) genuses are biting on humans. Hyalomma nymphs are most prevalent with 54.91% in Kocaeli (13), 64.71% in Aydın (4), 39.6% in Izmir (22) and 29.78% in Ankara (18). Some researchers identified the Hyalomma nymph species as H. aegyptium and the biting ratio was 68.54% in Thrace Province (Tekirdag, Kırıkkale and Edirne) (12) and 52.19% in Istanbul (26).…”

Distribution of hard tick species in Ankara, Turkey

“…In that study, the most common species was H. marginatum with a rate of 16.82%, showing its feeding preference for humans (Karaer et al, 2011). According to previous studies, Hyalomma, Dermacentor, Rhipicephalus, and Haemaphysalis species constituted the majority of species collected from humans and the field (Aydin and Bakirci, 2007;Karaer et al, 2011). These results are also in accordance with our studies.…”

“…parva and Hae. punctata were detected in this study, but Haemaphysalis sulcata was not found; it was previously recorded in low numbers by Karaer et al (2011) in the study area. Haemaphysalis species were collected only in April.…”