Soft and hard ticks (Parasitiformes: Ixodida) on humans: A review of Brazilian biomes and the impact of environmental change

Author(s)

Nogueira, Barbara Cristina Felix ; Campos, Artur Kanadani ; Munoz-Leal, Sebastian ; Pinter, Adriano ; Martins, Thiago Fernandes

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Acta Tropica; v. 234, p. 20-pg., 2022-07-24.

Abstract

Records of accidental parasitism by ticks in humans from Brazil are scarce, with most being reported by re-searchers who are parasitized during their research and by professionals who work with animals. In order to compile these records, an extensive literature review was carried out. Our revision includes studies published between 1909 and 2022, including nine species of the Argasidae family and 32 species of the Ixodidae family that were reported biting humans in the six biomes of the Brazilian territory. The species with the highest number of records of human parasitism was Amblyomma sculptum, followed by Amblyomma coelebs, Amblyomma cajennense sensu stricto, and Amblyomma brasiliense. The Atlantic Forest was the most frequent biome where human parasitism occurred, probably due to the greater number of inhabitants, universities, and researchers in the region; however, this does not mean that this biome is more conducive to the development of ticks and their parasitism in humans. In addition to Amblyomma ovale, a vector of Rickettsia parkeri in the country, two of the main species that act as vectors of Rickettsia rickettsii, A. sculptum, and Amblyomma aureolatum, have been re-ported, which is quite worrying considering that the wide distribution of the species and life stages most frequently mentioned in parasitism (i.e., nymphs and adults) are the ones that favour pathogen transmission. This research provides a significant contribution to the knowledge of tick species associated with human para-sitism in Brazil; however, due to environmental change potentiated by deforestation and fires, it is expected that there will be a geographic expansion of some tick species and the pathogens that use them as a vector and an increase in human parasitism. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 20/05987-1 - Dichotomic and pictorial taxonomic key for larvae of the genus Amblyomma (Parasitiformes: Ixodidae) that occur in Brazil, using optical and scanning electron microscopy for description and morphological redescription of the larval stage
• Grantee: Thiago Fernandes Martins
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Young Researchers
• FAPESP's process: 19/03167-0 - Dichotomic and pictorial taxonomic key for larvae of the genus Amblyomma (Parasitiformes: Ixodidae) that occur in Brazil, using optical and scanning electron microscopy for description and morphological redescription of the larval stage
• Grantee: Thiago Fernandes Martins
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants