Llanos-Soto et al.
Human toxicosis caused by the tick Ornithodoros spheniscus in a Chilean national park
Travel Med Infect Dis. 2020, in press, doi.org/10.1016/j.tmaid.2020.101811
Kwak et al.
Emergence of the zoonotic tick Dermacentor (Indocentor) auratus Supino, 1897 (Acari: Ixodidae) in Singapore
Ticks Tick Borne Dis. 2020, in press, doi.org/10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101574
Ticks are a major threat to public health due to their role as disease vectors. They can transfer a variety of pathogenic bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and nematodes. Besides this, ticks can also directly cause harm – without causing infectious diseases. Examples are allergic reactions (e.g. alpha gal syndrome, see Snapshot week 19/2019), paralysis and paresis induced after a tick bite. Here, it is the wish to call attention to two recently published articles dealing with direct harms caused by tick bites.
Tourists bitten by the soft tick Ornithodoros spheniscus (common along the Pacific coast in south America) developed severe skin lesions documented by imposing photos. Ticks of the genus Ornithodoros are known to inject several toxic compounds via their saliva which can directly be associated with toxicosis.
Another example is the tick Dermacentor auratus, which can invade the ear canal of patients (otoacariasis). This tick is also known to infest several other body parts including the eyelids. Also, localized paralysis has been described induced by this tick species which is common in south-east Asia.
These are just two examples of medical implications a tick bite can cause, and such medical consequences should not be neglected.