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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1979

Localized tick bite reaction.

A woman presented with a localized tick bite reaction. The tick (Amblyomma americanum, the "lone star" tick) was still attached to the erythematous, indurated skin of the upper back. After several unsuccessful attempts at removal, a punch biopsy was performed, and the resultant histologic sections incorporated both tick and involved skin. The various systemic and localized tick bite reactions are discussed, as are the diagnostic dilemmas which may arise when the organism is no longer present. Punch biopsy is suggested as an effective means of removing the organism.

Aged↗
PubMed1976

Reaction of the host to the tick-bite. II. Distribution of tick borne encephalitis virus in sucking ticks.

No reactive histological changes of the dermis and no cement cone formation were observed at the insertion site of tick mouthparts by feeding of H. inermis larvae. Conversely, cement formation was observed by feeding of H. inermis female. Fully fed D. marginatus larvae on viraemic mice showed bright fluorescence in oesophagus, suboesophageal ganglion, salivary glands, a few gut cells and in lumen of Malpighian tubuli. We consider the penetration of virus from oesophagus to suboesophageal ganglion as the possible route of primary virus infection. Sections through the D. reticulatus nymphs during virus transmission (38 hours after attachment) showed specific fluorescence in epidermis and gut cells. This finding is in agreement with the secretory activity of epidermial and gut cells during feeding.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Zoster meningitis and radiculomeningitis after tick bite. Cytological findings in cerebrospinal fluid.

Cytological changes in 9 samples of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 5 patients with zoster meningitis and 12 samples from 5 patients with radiculomeningitis after tick bite were examined. 5 days after the onset of the skin eruption, the CSF cells in zoster meningitis consisted of many mononuclear blast forms--large lymphocytes and 'immature' plasma cells. 11-15 days after the onset of the skin rash, they were replaced by small lymphocytes, some 'mature' plasma cells and monohistiocytes. In radiculomeningitis after tick bite, however, the CSF cells examined 10-21 days after the onset of radicular pain consisted of many large lymphocytes, immature plasma cells and a few neutrophils. From these findings, it might be suggested that the acute meningeal reaction of zoster meningitis subsides within about 1 week after the onset of the skin rash, but that of radiculomeningitis after tick bite continues at least for 2-3 weeks after the onset of radicular pain.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Tick-bite meningoradiculitis (author's transl)].

Meningoradiculitis due to tick-bite is rare and poorly documented. Its etiology remains hypothetical, but is thought to be caused by a viral infection carried by the tick. It is characterized by a striking clinical picture, especially symptoms of a subjective nature. The involved area extends asymmetrically from the site of the bite with variable latency. The CSF is characteristic, showing definite lymphocytosis and a moderate protein reaction. The prognosis is excellent although recovery may take several months. In the event of facial paralysis, there is a risk of postparalytic spasms. Treatment is symptomatic; no drug has proved effective.

Aged↗
PubMed1976

[Meningoradiculitis after tick bites. Apropos of 9 cases].

The authors report a series of 9 cases of meningoradiculitis after tick bites and compare them with 56 other cases in the literature. Clinically, the bite is followed by a free interval, then more or less extensive local erythema, pain then paralysis is undoubtedly the most typical presentation. Uni- or bilateral paralysis of the 7th cranial nerve was found in more than 50% of cases. Erythema may exceptionally be absent. There may be forms with pain alone. Finally, there may sometimes be pyramidal signs or signs of brain irritation. As concerns the course, one should note the absence of respiratory complications, and although there are usually no or minimal sequelae, one should note the slowness of the recovery in certain paralytic cases. In the laboratory, pleocytosis is constantly found in the C.S.F. As concerns physiopathology, there are 3 theories, virus, allergic and toxic.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

[Meningo-radiculitis following tick bite].

The authors report nine cases of acute inflammatory polyradiculoneuritis developing one to eleven weeks after a tick bite, regressive, painful and asymmetrical, with an albumino-cellular reaction in the CSF. They stress the very particular physiognomy of this type of meningo-radiculitis, its seasonal occurrence and the uncertain nature of its pathogenesis.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1978

Reaction of the host to the tick bite III. The bite of viruliferous Ixodes ricinus female.

No distinct internal cement formation was observed at the penetration site of the mouth parts of Ixodes ricinus females during their feeding on golden hamsters. At 2 h, the chelicera were already deeply inserted into the dermal tissue. Beginning after 4 hours, the proliferation of collagen and conus formation became evident. The internal cell-free area was structureless and showed PAS positivity, while the outer collagen layer was rich in fibrocytes and negative for PAS staining. Both layers showed positivity when stained for collagen. The conus extending into the subdermal connective tissue was surrounded by an infiltrate of mononuclear and polynuclear leukocytes. The half-engorged females showed specific fluorescence of the TBE antigen in columnar epidermal cells. The penetration of the TBE virus into host tissue lasted probably only for a few hours, as virus was succesfully transmitted to golden hamsters during 2 h feeding of the viruliferous I. ricinus females.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Erythema chronicum migrans in America.

Erythema chronicum migrans (ECM) developed in a man after a tick bite; the tick was probably lxodes pacificus. Despite extensive laboratory evaluation, including bacterial culture of involved skin, viral and rickettsial titers, biopsy and special stains, animal inoculation, and electron microscopy, the causal agent could not be identified. Although probably unrelated, an elevated measles titer with a twofold drop on serial determinations was of interest. To our knowledge, this report documents the first reported case of ECM acquired in this country in which the tick that caused the disease has been recovered.

Adult↗
PubMed2024

A series of patients infected with the emerging tick-borne Yezo virus in China: an active surveillance and genomic analysis.

BACKGROUND: Yezo virus (YEZV) is an emerging tick-borne pathogen, which was initially reported in Japan in 2021. Only one patient had been reported in China so far. We aimed to describe the epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory findings of a series of patients, and to characterise the viral genomes of YEZV. METHODS: In this active surveillance and genomic analysis, we conducted active surveillance at Mudanjiang Forestry Central Hospital, Heilongjiang Province of northeast China. Participants were eligible for inclusion if they sought medical care for a recent tick bite between May 1 and July 31, in 2022 and 2023, and between May 1 and July 10, in 2024. We collected sera from participants to detect YEZV infection by meta-transcriptomic sequencing, real-time RT-PCR, and indirect immunofluorescence assay. We isolated YEZV by cell culture and characterised the pathogen by morphological and phylogenetic analyses. FINDINGS: A series of 18 patients with YEZV infection (12 male and six female; median age 53 years, IQR 45-60) were identified among 988 participants. The patients presented with fever (18 patients, 100%), headache (ten patients, 56%), dizziness (nine patients, 50%), malaise (three patients, 17%), lumbago (three patients, 17%), and cough (three patients, 17%). Nine (50%) patients had rash around the tick bite site and four (22%) had lymphadenopathy. Nine (50%) patients had gastrointestinal symptoms, and five (28%) had neurological symptoms. We observed leukopenia in ten (63%) and thrombocytopenia in five (31%) of 16 assessed patients. Elevated hepatic transaminase concentrations were identified in 13 (72%) of all 18 patients, lactate dehydrogenase or α-hydroxybutyric dehydrogenase in nine (50%), serum amyloid protein A in 13 (72%), and hypersensitive C-reactive protein in ten (56%). Eight (7%) of 119 Ixodes persulcatus ticks removed from participants were positive for YEZV. Three YEZV strains were isolated from the sera of patients. Ten viral genomes were obtained from five patients, a blood-sucking I persulcatus removed from a participant, and four host-questing tick samples collected in the areas where patients were identified or in the adjacent region. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that YEZVs in either patients or ticks were divided into two clades, each with distinct mutations. INTERPRETATION: Awareness of YEZV infection is important and clinicians should consider the virus when diagnosing patients with suitable symptoms. FUNDING: National Key Research and Development Program of China. TRANSLATION: For the Chinese translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

Widespread circulation of Alongshan virus in Austria and serological evidence for infection in humans: a nationwide molecular and serological observational study.

BACKGROUND: Alongshan virus, a segmented RNA virus in the Jingmenvirus group of flaviviruses, was first identified in 2017 in China in patients with tick-borne encephalitis-like illness. Alongshan virus has since been detected in ticks and mammals in several European countries. In this study, we aimed to characterise the temporal and geographical distribution of Alongshan virus in Austria through nationwide tick surveillance combined with serological and molecular screening in individuals with suspected tick-borne encephalitis or tick exposure. METHODS: In this nationwide molecular and serological observational study, we conducted a PCR-based screening of ticks collected across Austria in 2024, using flagging, animal hosts, and citizen submissions. We also collated genomic data from stored nucleic acid extracts from ticks collected in Austria in 2005 and 2013 in previous surveillance studies and stored extracts of paired tick-human samples collected between 2015 and 2018. Alongshan virus-positive tick samples were subjected to whole-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. In addition to tick samples, blood samples from Austrian patients with reported tick bite or suspected tick-borne encephalitis, submitted to the National Reference Center for Human Arbovirus Infections, Austria, were screened for Alongshan virus infection and subjected to serological and molecular testing. FINDINGS: 2952 ticks were collected between Feb 1, 2024, and Dec 6, 2024, from 29 (83%) of 35 NUTS-3 regions in Austria; the median detection rate for Alongshan virus was 1·2% (IQR 0·4-3·5). In addition, 1816 archived tick samples were analysed, with three testing positive for Alongshan virus. For the virus-positive samples, phylogenetic analysis showed that sequences from Austria grouped within the European clade, with Austrian sequences from the same region showing high sequence similarity. 1361 human serum samples collected between March 1, 2023, and May 16, 2025, were assessed for anti-Alongshan virus IgG antibodies. Two individuals had high antibody titres against Alongshan virus proteins VP1a and VP2. INTERPRETATION: Our study shows detection of Alongshan virus in archived tick samples dating back to 2005, representing the earliest documented occurrence of the virus to date and suggesting that Alongshan virus has been circulating in Austria for at least two decades. The detection of Alongshan virus-specific antibody titres in two individuals suggests past infection and previously unrecognised exposure. These results highlight the need for continued molecular surveillance of tick populations and serological monitoring in humans to define the epidemiology and public health relevance of Alongshan virus in Europe. FUNDING: One Health surveillance and Vector monitoring for cross-border pathogens (OH SURVector) and UNITED4Surveillance.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Hemorrhagic fevers, with special reference to recent outbreaks in southern Africa.

In considering the diagnosis of a patient admitted to the Johannesburg Hospital, suffering from an illness characterized by high fever and complicated by a hemorrhagic state from which he died, a list of possible causes of his illness was drawn up. This list included the arthropodborne viral infections prevalent in southern Africa, namely, chikungunya fever, Sindbis fever, West Nile fever, yellow fever, and Rift Valley fever; viral infections associated with rodents, such as Lassa fever; the viral infection associated with monkeys, Marburg virus disease; the rickettsial infections; tick-bite fever (the variety of spotted fever of tick typhus occurring in southern Africa) and Q fever; the bacterial infections, especially the coccal infections, plague septicemia, and meningococcal, staphylococcal, and streptococcal septicemia; and the blood protozoal infections malaria and trypanosomiasis. In addition, rubella, Gasser's syndrome, Henoch-Schönlein purpura, and viperine snakebite were briefly described in this review. All of these conditions may be complicated by the development of a hemorrhagic state. The circulation of large numbers of infecting organisms, by they viruses, rickettsiae, bacteria, or protozoa, may initiate the coagulation cascade, the formation of fibrin and its deposition in the finer blood vessels, and the aggregation and entanglement of platelets resulting in marked thrombocytopenia and bleeding. This bleeding tendency is greatly aggravated when the infection specifically involves the parenchymal cells of the liver; such a condition results in defective formation of coagulation factors such as prothrombin. The proper care of patients in whom a hemorrhagic state has developed requires urgent and accurate diagnosis followed by immediate and appropriate treatment that will combat the infection and alleviate the hemorrhagic state and liver disorder. If the hemorrhagic state is due to one of the dangerous infectious fevers, adequate protection of the medical, nursing, and laboratory staff concerned is also vital.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Cases of Lyme disease in the United States: locations correlated with distribution of Ixodes dammini.

Lyme disease, defined by erythema chronicum migrans and sometimes followed by neurologic, cardiac, or joint involvement, is known to have affected 512 patients in the United States. The disease seems to occur in three distinct foci: along the northeastern coast, in Wisconsin, and in California and Oregon, a distribution that correlates closely with that of Ixodes dammini in the first two areas and with Ixodes pacificus in the last. The implicated tick, saved by six patients in the Northeast, was identified as nymphal I. dammini. Residence in or travel to endemic areas and history of tick bite may be important clues to diagnosis.

Arachnid Vectors↗
PubMed2025

Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Outbreak in Podor, Northern Senegal in 2022: Two Independent Emergences and Unprecedented Mortality.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a lethal zoonotic disease transmitted through tick bites and contact with infected animals or humans. As CCHF continues to expand worldwide, we report on the first severe outbreak in Senegal (Podor, Saint-Louis region) in 2022. We conducted a comprehensive outbreak investigation after a confirmed CCHF human case in Podor. This included sample collections from humans, animals, and ticks from the household and surrounding area. Human and animal samples were tested by ELISA for antibodies to CCHF virus and by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for CCHF virus RNA, whereas tick samples underwent CCHF RT-PCR only. Positive RT-PCR samples underwent viral genome sequencing for genetic characterization. We determined three CCHF human cases, with two deaths, as well as virus circulation in 11 ticks and in livestock, with an overall seroprevalence of 42.5%. CCHF IgG antibodies were detected in human contact cases, showing its prior prevalence in the area. Phylogenetic analyses revealed high genetic diversity within CCHF genotypes, with existence of reassortants and cocirculation of two different isolates from various origins in Mboyo and Nenette villages, where human cases were detected. The data showed a correlation between the strains identified in humans and ticks in each village, showing two independent emergences in Podor. The outbreak in Podor was probably because of the high abundance of animal hosts in this sylvopastoral area, the diversity of tick populations with the presence of the main CCHF vectors, and the increasing prevalence of CCHF virus. The surveillance in this area needs to be strengthened.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

Detection and phylogenetic characterization of Jingmen tick virus in Amblyomma mixtum ticks from Costa Rica.

UNLABELLED: Jingmenviruses are a group of segmented flaviviruses detected in arthropods and vertebrates that have attracted growing public health interest due to the recognition of some members as emerging human arboviral pathogens. As part of a study aimed at deciphering the virome of ticks of medical and veterinary importance in Costa Rica, we detected Jingmen tick virus (JMTV) in host-feeding Amblyomma mixtum ticks collected from horses. We assembled three complete genome segments and one partial segment from tick pools. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that JMTV from Costa Rica (JMTV Costa Rica) shares a common viral ancestor with JMTV viruses identified in ticks from the Caribbean and Latin America. Two distinct clades of Jingmenviruses were identified in the American continent, suggesting two distinct introductions: one from Europe/Asia and the other from Africa/Asia. Of note, JMTV Costa Rica falls in the same clade as viruses from Europe and Western Asia, including sequences found in humans. Our study constitutes the first detection of JMTV in Amblyomma mixtum. This tick species feeds on a wide range of hosts, including wildlife, domestic animals, and frequently parasitizes humans in Central America. Further research involving the detection of active and past infections by JMTV in humans and horses after tick bites is needed to evaluate the risk of spillover in Central America, including Costa Rica. IMPORTANCE: Jingmenviruses are flaviviruses detected in arthropods and vertebrates, reported in several countries worldwide. Some members cause disease and infections in humans; therefore, they are considered emergent human arboviruses. In Costa Rica and Central America, there is no information on tick-associated viruses or the role of ticks as putative vectors of viruses. Here, we report the first regional detection of Jingmen tick virus (JMTV) in Amblyomma mixtum ticks collected from horses. We assembled three complete and one partial viral segment from tick pools. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the JMTV detected in Costa Rica is closely related to other detections from Latin America and the Caribbean and is located in the same clade as viruses reported in humans. Additionally, we detected two separate introductions of JMTV to Latin America. To determine whether this JMTV is an emergent arbovirus locally, research on past or active infections in humans is required.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Development of acquired resistance precipitating antibody in rabbits experimentally infested with females of Haemaphysalis longicornis (Ixodoidea: Ixodidae).

The resistance to the ixodid tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis (parthenogenetic Okayama strain), manifested as a reduction in engorged body weight, developed in rabbits subjected to a series of adult female infestations. A single infestation with females always produced resistance in hosts. This production appeared to depend little on the number of ticks per infestation. Unlike the previous papers, this study revealed that there was no reduction in the mean recovery rate of engorged females when ticks fed on a rabbit repeatedly infested with the ticks. A series of infestations were carried out comparatively to investigate the major biological characters of ticks, such as feeding, oviposition, and hatchability of eggs. As a result, there were no marked differences in these characters among the infestations. Especially, no differences were noticed in the concentration of ingested blood meal in detached females among the infestations. Precipitating antibodies were found in the sera of rabbits resistant to the tick-bite. They were subjected to fractionation by Sephadex G-200 chromatography and tested for sensitivity to 2-mercaptoethanol. As a result, they were proved to be of immunoglobulin of 7 S class.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Erythema chronicum migrans and Lyme arthritis: epidemiologic evidence for a tick vector.

Forty-three residents of 12 contiguous Connecticut communities were identified who had the onset of erythema chronicum migrans, Lyme arthritis, or both during the summer and fall of 1977. Nine of them (21%) remembered having been bitten by a tick at the site of the initial skin lesion a median of 12 days (range 3-20) before onset; one patient brought in the tick for identification (Ixodes scapularis). Compared to 64 of their neighbors, significantly more patients had cats and farm animals, and had noted ticks on their pets and tick bites on themselves. The incidence of the illness during 1977 was 2.8 cases per 1000 residents in the three communities on the east side of the Connecticut River, compared to 0.1 cases per 1000 residents in the nine communities on the west side, a difference of almost 30-fold. Taken with the results of a concomitant acarological study on both sides of the river, these findings support the hypothesis that erythema chronicum migrans and Lyme arthritis are tick-transmitted, specifically by I. scapularis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Lyme arthritis in Wisconsin.

Rash, severe constitutional symptoms, and arthritis developed in three persons who were bitten by ticks in Wisconsin. On comparison with other reports of arthritis related to tick bites, we found that the illness of our patients had clinical features consistent with Lyme arthritis. Lyme arthritis appears not to be restricted to New England as has been previously reported.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

[Clinical picture of Central European tick-borne encephalitis (author's transl)].

Tick-borne encephalitis is transmitted by the tick ixodes ricinus. After the second world war an increase in the number of cases of encephalitis was observed and the neurotropic virus was isolated for the first time in 1948. Reservoir animals are mouse-like wild animals and also agricultural domestic animals. The infection is transmitted to humans through tick bites. It becomes apparent subjectively in headaches, vomiting, tiredness, giddiness and insomnia, and objectively in meningeal symptoms, extrapyramidal tremor, cerebellar ataxia, vestibular nystagmus and paresis. The treatment consists of strict rest in bed for 10 days at least and symptomatic support of the general health. Good results are obtained with antiedematous therapy with hydrocortisone or pyritinol.

Age Factors↗