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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Infestation in the dog by the paralysis tick Ixodes holocyclus. 3. Respiratory effects.

To assess respiratory function in dogs with tick paralysis, respiratory measurements were recorded on 14 dogs experimentally infested with Ixodes holocyclus. There was a progressive fall in respiratory rate with no change in tidal volume, which resulted in a significant fall in minute respiratory volume in the latter stages of the disease. The fall in respiratory rate was possibly central in origin and was accompanied by an increased alveolar-arterial oxygen tension difference, probably caused by pulmonary congestion and oedema. The "grunting" respiration seen in tick paralysis was due to closure of the vocal cords during expiration and could represent an attempt to re-expand collapsed parts of the lung.

Animals

Infestation in the dog by the paralysis tick, Ixodes holocyclus. 5. Treatment.

In this study the value of drugs administered with hyperimmune serum in the treatment of advanced disease produced by Ixodes holocyclus was compared under controlled conditions. All control dogs died rapidly whereas one dog survived and 3 dogs died after receiving hyperimmune serum alone. When promethazine hydrochloride was administered with hyperimmune serum 2 dogs recovered rapidly while the remaining 2 died. Administration of dexamethasone and hyperimmune serum allowed 3 dogs to survive while administration of phenoxybenzamine hydrochloride in conjunction with hyperimmune serum allowed rapid recovery of all 4 dogs. Phenoxybenzamine hydrochloride, an alpha-adrenergic blocking drug, was chosen because of its potential to attenuate the arterial hypertension previously reported (Ilkiw et al 1988). The survival of all dogs together with the rapid return to normality indicated that this drug was beneficial in the treatment of dogs with advanced signs of tick paralysis.

Animals

Cattle and the paralysis tick Ixodes holocyclus.

Paralysis of domestic stock by the paralysis tick Ixodes holocyclus is chiefly a disease of young animals (especially calves) and of non-habituated stock introduced into tick-infested country in spring. The tick has a wide host range, but its principal hosts are bandicoots. The tick has one generation per year and the adult female, which causes almost all paralysis, is abundant in spring and early summer and occurs most commonly in overgrown or regrowth country where bandicoots are abundant. The distribution and behavior of the long and the short-nosed bandicoots are reviewed. The number of ticks required to induce paralysis in cattle and the protection from paralysis afforded by prior experience of the tick are discussed.

Animals

The role of host behaviour in tick-host interactions: a domestic host-paralysis tick model.

The aim of this study was to quantify the infestation densities of Karoo and brown paralysis ticks on sheep and goats and explain it in terms of the etho-ecology of these ticks and their domestic hosts. The Karoo paralysis tick usually quests from a vantage point on the vegetation whereas the brown paralysis tick displays an appetence response from the ground and mainly engages hosts that are prostrate. Both tick species are confined chiefly to hilly areas. Temporal differences in the infestation densities of the hosts within and between tick species were evident. These differences were related to disparities in the spatial distribution of the hosts, their activity patterns and the specific appetence responses of the two tick species. Differential climatological conditions affected the quality of forage in areas with a varied topography and the feeding preferences of hosts influenced tick-host sympatry and hence infestation densities.

Animals

Allergic reactions to the Australian paralysis tick, Ixodes holocyclus: diagnostic evaluation by skin test and radioimmunoassay.

Allergic reactions to Ixodes holocyclus are well recognized but poorly defined. Tick-bite reactions in 42 individuals in this study fell into six classes. Skin-prick tests and radioimmunoassay (RIA) indicated that all systemic hypersensitivity (class 3) and atypical reactions (class 4) were IgE-mediated. Some 73% of the large local reactions (class 2) and only 12.5% of the small local reactions (class 1) were associated with IgE specific for tick allergens. Subjects who reported heavy exposure to tick-bite were more likely to have positive RIA values (P less than 0.05). There was an association between the individual's atopic status and tick allergy (P greater than 0.05).

Adult

Infestation in the dog by the paralysis tick Ixodes holocyclus. 1. Clinical and histological findings.

Under laboratory conditions 8 dogs were infested with Ixodes holocyclus and the clinical signs and histological findings were recorded. Seven of the dogs developed clinical signs of the disease, died and were subjected to a post-mortem examination, while the eighth dog remained normal. The clinical signs were consistent between animals and enabled the course of the disease to be subdivided into 5 stages to facilitate analysis of data in future experiments. The most prominent feature of the disease was dysfunction of the efferent motor system although some disturbance of the afferent pathways and involvement of the autonomic nervous system did occur. The period elapsing between attachment of the ticks and onset of signs varied from 5.5 to 7 days, while the mean duration of the disease was 23.3 h. The histopathology demonstrated moderate to severe congestion of the liver, kidney and lungs, and in some lung sections pulmonary oedema was present.

Animals

Infestation in the dog by the paralysis tick Ixodes holocyclus. 2. Blood-gas and pH, haematological and biochemical findings.

Arterial blood-gas and pH, haematological and biochemical estimations were carried out on 8 dogs infested with Ixodes holocyclus and 2 uninfested controls. The arterial blood-gas and pH measurements did not change significantly until the dogs were recumbent and unable to lift their heads. When affected dogs became moribund, moderate hypoxaemia with acute ventilatory failure was present. The significant haematological and biochemical abnormalities were difficult to interpret individually, but taken together could reflect sympathetic stimulation of the adrenal cortex or medulla.

Animals

Infestation in the dog by the paralysis tick, Ixodes holocyclus. 4. Cardiovascular effects.

To determine the extent and significance of changes in heart rate and rhythm noticed previously in dogs paralysed with Ixodes holocyclus, two studies were undertaken. In one the electrocardiogram was recorded at stages throughout the disease and the traces analysed for changes, while in the second a detailed study of the effect of Ixodes holocyclus on the cardiovascular system was undertaken. The electrocardiographic changes were extremely variable between stages and between dogs. Generally, if a dysrhythmia occurred in stages 1, 2 or 3 it tended to be sinus tachycardia, ventricular tachycardia or sinus arrest. In stage 4 sinus arrest, sinus bradycardia, or sinus or ventricular tachycardia were the prominent dysrhythmias, whereas in stage 5 sinus bradycardia predominated. Cardiovascular measurements indicated an increase in peripheral vascular resistance leading to a significant elevation in mean arterial pressure at all stages of the disease. Cardiac output was decreased significantly only at stage 2, although it was below the control measurements at all stages. Pulmonary arterial pressure was significantly elevated at stages 2, 3 and 4 due most probably to an increase in pulmonary vascular resistance. Myocardial contractility was not significantly changed throughout the disease. The changes observed in the electrocardiogram and the cardiovascular system in stages 1, 2 and 3 are unlikely to be due to hypoxia and could represent dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. During stages 4 and 5 oxygen levels were below normal and the bradycardia seen terminally is almost certainly due to hypoxaemia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals

Detection in allergic individuals of IgE specific for the Australian paralysis tick, Ixodes holocyclus.

Three techniques were developed to detect IgE specific to Ixodes holocyclus. The radioimmunoassay (RIA) was found to be superior to both radioallergosorbent test and enzyme immunoassay techniques. Validation of the RIA technique was provided by dilution experiments and by a blind study involving 13 volunteers; the RIA graph was linear over a wide range of concentrations. The RIA ratio clearly discriminated between those volunteers with and without systemic allergic reactions and helped to identify borderline cases showing local or cutaneous allergic reactions. It appears to be suitable for diagnostic and research applications.

Animals

Tick paralysis: electrophysiologic studies.

A patient with tick paralysis had motor and sensory nerve conduction studies before and after removal of an engorged tick. The amplitudes of muscle action potentials evoked by stimulation of motor nerves were reduced initially, returning to normal after the tick was removed. Distal motor and sensory latencies also shortened after removal, and conduction velocities were improved 6 months later. Direct stimulation of muscle produced a normal response, and tests of neuromuscular transmission were normal, including the response to edrophonium. These findings are compatible with experimental results showing effects of the toxin on motor nerve terminals as well as on large sensory and motor nerves.

Child, Preschool

Tick paralysis in North America and Australia.

The pathophysiology and clinical manifestations of tick paralysis in North America and Australia are reviewed. Clinical and electrodiagnostic findings in tick paralysis are contrasted with those that occur in other diffuse lower motor neuron disorders, and the disease in North America is compared with the more severe form of the disease that occurs along the east coast of Australia. A detailed account of the treatment of animals afflicted with tick paralysis is presented.

Animals

Tick paralysis: electrophysiologic measurements.

Electrophysiologic measurements in a 9-year-old girl with tick paralysis demonstrated a prolonged distal latency and a decremental response to 30 Hz stimulation. The nerve conduction determinations became normal after clinical recovery. The pathophysiologic process of this disease seems to be within the peripheral nerve although a central site of action of tick toxin cannot be completely excluded. Tick paralysis should be considered in the individual who develops ascending paralysis.

Child

A survey of Karoo tick paralysis in South Africa.

Recent research interest in Karoo tick paralysis and its vector. Ixodes rubicundus, prompted this survey to determine the economic implications of this disease. The survey indicated relatively high losses caused by the condition, identified the stock involved and provided data on the incidence of paralysis and on the control methods employed. Recommendations are made to institute chemical control earlier in the season to attempt better containment of the problem.

Animals

Tick paralysis in three children. The diversity of neurologic presentations.

Reviewed are 3 cases of tick paralysis in children each with a different presentation. One child presented with an ascending flaccid weakness, another with weakness and cerebellar signs, and a third with pure cerebellar signs. Ixodes scapularis, the black-legged deer tick, was the offending tick in Case 3 and apparently has not been previously reported to cause paralysis in humans. Because of the potential for a fatal outcome, it is imperative to consider tick paralysis in any child with an ascending flaccid weakness or acute ataxia.

Ataxia

Sites of attachment and intraspecific infestation densities of the brown paralysis tick (Rhipicephalus punctatus) on Angora goats.

Significant differences in the distribution of brown paralysis ticks on various age classes of Angora goats were recorded. In kids, most (greater than 98%) of the ticks attached to the head and ears, whereas in older groups, in addition to the ears, a high proportion (greater than 20%) of ticks also attached to the ventral side of the neck. There were significant differences in the mean infestation densities of both male and female R. punctatus in kids and older animals. These differences were, however, only significant for the first two sample dates involving kids, and are probably related to behavioural attributes of the kids which enhance tick/host contact. Newly born Angora goat kids are considered a high-risk group with regard to paralysis caused by the brown paralysis tick. Methods of avoiding mortality amongst kids are suggested.

Age Factors