Detection of human blood in the bat tick Carios (Ornithodoros) kelleyi (Acari: Argasidae) in Iowa

Autor: J S, Gill, W A, Rowley, P J, Bush, J P, Viner, M J R, Gilchrist
Rok vydání: 2004
Předmět:
Zdroj: Journal of medical entomology. 41(6)
ISSN: 0022-2585
Popis: The argasid tick Carios (Ornithodoros) kelleyi CooleyKohls is a common ectoparasite of bats and has been found in massive numbers in homes with associated bat colonies in eastern Iowa. This tick feeds nearly exclusively on bats in nature. Several inhabitants of infested homes complained of "bug bites" at night while asleep that may have resulted in erythematous, edematous, urticaric skin lesions and constitutional signs and symptoms. We provide laboratory evidence that a single, engorged C. kelleyi nymph contained host blood from a human female. The clinical implications of our findings are intriguing but unclear.
Databáze: OpenAIRE