The Species of Ticks Bites on Human and Their Seasonal Distribution in Ankara, Turkey

Abstract

Ticks (Acari: Ixodoidea) are among the most significant blood-sucking arthropods worldwide. In humans, they can cause severe toxic conditions such as paralyses, irritation and allergy. Besides these, they transmit a great variety of infectious diseases caused by viral, bacterial and protozoal agents, including Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus. This study was performed for evaluation of received 1562 samples from humans with the complaint of tick bite to National Parasitology Reference Laboratories between January 2011 and December 2013. Ticks were taken directly into 70% alcohol and have been identified under the stereo microscope. It was found that 1497 (95.84%) were ticks, 39 were (2.50%) artifacts such as scab and blood clots, 22 (1.41%) were different arthropods of non-medical importance, 3 were (0.19%) pubic lice (Pthirus pubis), 1 was (0.06%) bedbug (Cimex lectularius). The ticks were identified as follows: 322 Rhipicephalus sangiuneus group, 241 Haemaphysalis parva, 188 Hyalomma marginatum, 175 Hyalomma spp. nymph, 138 Rhipicephalus spp. nymph, 109 Rhipicephalus bursa, 79 Ixodes ricinus, 68 Dermacentor marginatus, 59 H. anatolicum, 52 H. detritum, 17 H. excavatum, 9 Haemaphysalis punctata, 8 Ixodes spp. nymph, 1 Haemaphysalis spp. larva, 1 Haemaphysalis spp. nymph and 1 Argas spp. 29 ticks could not be identified, since they had morphological abnormalities or deficiencies. During January to December, tick bites were reported in all of the months. Most cases were occurred between April and September; 365 (24.38%) cases in June and 298 (19.91%) in July. In recent years, people have become more susceptible to infestations with ticks and other ectoparasites. So, it is concluded that informing the public about ticks, tick borne diseases and teaching them the ways to protect would be useful. © 2016, Chartered Inst. of Building Services Engineers. All rights reserved.