An Exotic Hitchhiker: A Case Report of Importation into Connecticut from Africa of the Human Parasitizing Tick, Hyalomma truncatum (Acari: Ixodidae)

J Parasitol. 2018 Jun;104(3):302-305. doi: 10.1645/18-13. Epub 2018 Feb 27.

Abstract

We report the importation into Connecticut, U.S.A., of an exotic tick, Hyalomma truncatum (Koch) (Acari: Ixodidae), on a human with recent travel history to Africa. The tick was identified using key morphological characters and through DNA sequencing. This case report highlights continuing risk associated with the importation of exotic tick vectors of medical and veterinary significance on international travelers returning to the United States from abroad.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Animals
  • Arachnid Vectors / anatomy & histology
  • Arachnid Vectors / classification
  • Arachnid Vectors / ultrastructure
  • Botswana
  • Connecticut
  • Foot / parasitology
  • Humans
  • Ixodidae / anatomy & histology
  • Ixodidae / classification*
  • Ixodidae / ultrastructure
  • Male
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Tick Infestations / parasitology*
  • Tick Paralysis / parasitology
  • Travel