Ectoparasites of SA Flashcards
(125 cards)
1
Q
“Hemiptera” is the scientific name for which order of ectoparasites?
A
True Bugs
2
Q
Reduviid bugs, aka Assassin bugs, are the intermediate hosts for which endoparasite?
A
Trypanosoma cruzi = blood parasite
3
Q
Why do they call them “kissing bugs?” 💋
A
Kissing bugs will bite & take a blood meal around the mouth of their host, and then defecate near the wound.
4
Q
What does it mean to be a “periodic parasite?”
A
The parasite interacts/parasitizes with a host for a short period of time, frequently.
5
Q
“Cimex lecturalis” refers to which ectoparasite?
A
Bedbugs
6
Q
Which species are the usual hosts for bedbugs?
A
Rabbits, birds, humans
7
Q
What are the feeding habits of Bedbugs?
A
They are periodic parasites, and only feed at night (nocturnal)
8
Q
Which class do lice belong to?
A
Insecta
9
Q
What is the general morphology of lice?
A
Wingless, with 3 MAIN body parts:
- rounded head, with big jaws
- thorax, with 3 pairs of legs
- abdomen, with reproductive organs
10
Q
What are the 2 main orders of lice?
A
- Mallophaga (chewing/biting lice)
- Anoplura (sucking lice)
11
Q
What is the proper name for a lice infestation?
A
Pediculosis
Pedicul- (louse)
-osis (pathological state)
12
Q
How long is the average life cycle for a louse?
A
3-4 weeks, with 3 stages (complex life cycle)
13
Q
Describe the stages in the lice life cycle?
A
- eggs = “nits” attach to hair shafts
- nymphs = 3 stages, progressive in size
- adults = largest stage, able to reproduce
14
Q
How are lice transmitted?
A
With direct contact with infested hosts/fomites
15
Q
How do you diagnose pediculosis?
A
You can visually look at the lice with eyes/microscope, and determine which type they are (chewing vs. sucking)
16
Q
T/F? Lice can travel from one species of host to another species host with direct contact.
A
False! There is no crossover in host species; Lice are species specific.
17
Q
Mallophagan lice are usually found on which animals?
A
Species specific; Mammals & birds
18
Q
Which order + family do these refer to?
- Trichodectes canis
- Heterodoxus spiniger
- Felicola subrostratus
A
Mallophagan lice
19
Q
Which endoparasite can Trichodectes canis be the int. host for?
A
Dipylidium caninum (tapeworm)
20
Q
What should you do if your clinic patient is diagnosed with an infestation of Trichodectes canis?
A
Warn the owners that:
- they AND their home environment/other pets are likely infested
- the lice/fleas are vectors for tapeworms (D. caninum)
- provide instructions on how to get rid of the lice/fleas
21
Q
What are Phthirus pubis, and why is it important to differentiate them from other species?
A
Human pubic lice; you don’t want to give them the wrong diagnosis, treatment plan, etc.
22
Q
What are the clinical signs of a mallophagan lice infestation?
A
Pruritus/itching, hair loss, rough/dry skin
23
Q
How can you tell a mallophagan louse from an anopluran louse?
A
Mallophagan = have big mandibles
Anopluran = sharp front end, large back side
24
Q
Which order + family do these refer to?
- Linognathus setosus
- Hemodipsus ventricosus
- Polyplax spp.
A
Anopluran lice
25
Which animals are the hosts for each of these species?
- Linognathus setosus
- Hemodipsus ventricosus
- Polyplax spp.
- Linognathus setosus = canine
- Hemodipsus ventricosus = rabbits
- Polyplax spp. = rodents
26
Which animals would you NOT find anopluran lice?
Birds, cats
27
What are the clinical signs of an anopluran lice infestation?
Pruritus, anemia (if severe)
28
What is the primary order of flies?
Diptera
Di- (two)
-ptera (wings)
29
How many stages are there in a fly's life cycle, and what are they?
4 stages
1. egg
2. larva + multi stages (fuzzy caterpillar)
3. pupa (coccoon)
4. adult
30
How would you describe the feeding habits of flies?
Periodic parasites, feeding on blood.
31
What makes gnats, mosquitos, horse flies, and deer flies unique in regard to feeding habits?
ONLY the females take a blood meal
32
Which flies have both males & females feeding on blood? 🩸
Stable flies, horn flies, sheep keds (wingless flies, resembles ticks)
33
What is Myiasis?
when a fly lays eggs & the hatched larva feed on the host's tissues
34
Where does "Fly Strike" typically occur?
in wounds, lesions, unkempt hair
35
What is "Fly Strike?"
when a fly lays eggs & the hatched larva feed on the host's dead or dying tissues
36
What exactly do flies eat?
Blood + other body fluids
37
Which endoparasite can sand flies (Phlebotomus spp.) carry as its int. host?
Leishmania spp. = major damage!
38
What are "No-see-ums"?
Female blood-feeding flies that are very small & hard to see.
39
Which endoparasite can Culicoides spp. carry?
aka No-see-ums, can carry Onchocerca cervicalis (threadworms)
40
Which diseases do these mosquitos carry?
- Anopheles spp.
- Aedes spp.
- Culex spp.
- Anopheles spp. = Malaria *
- Aedes spp. = Yellow Fever
- Culex spp. = Dirofilaria immitis (Heartworm)
41
Which species of flies feed on body fluids other than blood?
- house flies (M. domestica)
- face flies (M. autumnalis)
- blowflies
- flesh flies (Sarcophaga spp.)
42
What is "facultative myiasis?"
When fly larva opportunistically invade/feed on a living host's dead tissues & wound; Go from free-living to parasitic
43
What are Cochlimyia hominivorax, and what are their significance?
Screw worms! They will eat living tissues, and are reportable to the CDC.
44
What is the common name for Cuterebra spp.?
Bot Flies! aka "Warbles" or "Wolves"
45
What category of myasis do Bot Flies participate in? And what does it entail?
Obligatory myasis; parasitic larva have to be inside the body (2nd-3rd stages)
46
T/F? All stages of Warbles are parasitic.
False! Adults are non-parasitic, but they lay eggs/larva that are parasitic.
47
What is the clinical appearance of Warbles, and how do you treat them?
SubQ cyst with swollen, open pore, that you must squeeze out.
48
What is the common name for the order Siphonaptera?
Fleas
49
What is the general morphology of fleas?
Lateral compression / flattened look, with large hind limbs for jumping.
50
What is an infestation of fleas called?
Siphonapterosis
51
What are some signs of having fleas?
Pruritus + Flea Allergy Dermatitis from flea saliva
52
Which endoparasites can fleas be intermediate hosts for?
D. caninum (tapeworm) + A. reconditum (worm)
53
Which diseases can fleas spread to humans?
Bubonic plague, Typhoid fever
54
What is the general life cycle of fleas?
Complete metamorphosis!
- egg (on host, in environment)
- larva (tiny worm, in environment)
- pupa (sticky coccoon, for long periods)
- adult (takes blood meals)
55
These are species of which ectoparasite?
Ctenocephalides felis,
Ctenocephalides canis,
Cediopsylla simplex,
Pulex irritans
Fleas
56
Fleas are notoriously hard to get rid of. What should you tell an owner to do if their pet is infested?
- it's likely their home/other pets/family are infested too
- fleas are the int. hosts for tapeworms/other worms
- to control the infestation, they need to: 1. bathe/treat their pets, 2. clean/treat the interior of their home, 3. treat their outdoor areas/yard
57
What are the 3 orders of mites we covered in class?
1. Acarina
2. Mesostigmata
3. Actinedida
58
What is the general pathology of mites?
Location dependent; can be superficial or deep (dermis, epidermis)
59
What are the general signs of a mite infestation?
Intense pruritus, alopecia, skin damage
60
What is the general life cycle of mites?
- egg
- larva (6 legs)
- nymph (8 legs)
- adult (able to reproduce)
61
How do you diagnose mites?
Location dependent!
- if deep = skin scraping (until blood)
- if superficial = tape or swap collecting
62
Are mites zoonotic?
Sometimes!
63
What is the difference between Sarcoptiform vs. Non-Sarcoptiform mites?
- Sarcoptiform = have flattened, oval body shape
- Non = unlike others w/ various body shapes
64
What is the difference between Sarcoptidae vs. Psoroptidae mites?
- Sarcoptidae = burrowing mites
- Psoroptidae = non-burrowing mites
65
What is the common name for Sarcoptes scabiei?
Scabies
66
What is Scabies' method of infesting a host? And what are the signs of an infestation?
- epidermal burrowing
- signs: mange, extreme pruritus, hair loss
67
What is the general morphology of Sarcoptes scabiei?
long, unjointed pedicel +/- sucker
68
What does it mean when a mite infestation is "transiently zoonotic"?
Zoonotic, but the ectoparasite does not live long
69
How is Scabies transmitted?
with direct contact
70
What is Notoedres cati?
mites, aka Cat Scabies (+ rabbits)
71
What is the general morphology of Notoedres cati?
long, unjointed pedicel with sucker on end
72
Are Cat Scabies zoonotic, and how are they transmitted?
Transiently zoonotic, transmitted with direct contact
73
What is the common name for Cnemidocoptes pilae, and which animals are the hosts?
- "Scaly Leg/Face Mite"
- budgies, parakeets
74
How do Scaly Leg/Face Mites infest a host, and what are the signs?
- epidermal burrowing
- pruritus, disfigurement of feet/beak/cere
75
What is the general morphology of Cnemidocoptes pilae?
- females = short legs, no sucker; larger, rounder size
- males = longer, unjointed pedicels +/- suckers; smaller size
76
How are Scaly Leg/Face Mites transmitted?
Direct contact with other infested bird
77
Where are Psoroptidae mites found?
non-burrowing = found on skin surface or in ear canal
78
What is the common name for Otodectes cynotis?
Ear mites
79
What are the signs of having ear mites? And what is their method of infesting a host?
- extreme pruritus + pedalpinna response + head shaking
- migration around the body, into ear canal
80
What is the general morphology of Otodectes cynotis?
short, unjointed pedicels +/- sucker
81
How are ear mites transmitted?
Direct contact
82
What is the common name for Psoroptes cuniculi?
Rabbit Ear Mites
83
How do Rabbit Ear Mites infest a host, and what are the signs?
They puncture the epidermis, causing extreme pruritus
84
What category of mite is the Demodex spp. considered?
Non-Sarcoptiform
85
Where can you find Demodex spp.?
Hair follicles & sebaceous glands of mammals (animals + humans)
86
What is the general morphology of Demodex spp.?
carrot-shaped, larva have 6 legs, nymphs/adults have 8 legs
87
What is the general pathology for Demodex spp. on immunocompromised dogs?
- localized / one area = patchy, dry, scaly alopecia
- generalized = diffuse alopecia all over, erythema, secondary infections (severe)
88
How do you properly diagnose Demodex spp.?
deep skin scrapings (pinch skin, scrape until blood) of multiple different areas (alopecia sites AND normal skin)
89
What is the common name for Trombiculidae?
Chiggers
90
T/F? All stages of Trombiculiae are parasitic.
False! Only larva is parasitic.
91
How do Chiggers infest/harm their host?
larva attach > inject digestive fluids, leaving holes > pruritus
92
Pneumonyssoides are a genus of which family of ectoparasites? And what is the common name for them?
- Halarachnidae
- Nasal Mites
93
What is the general life cycle of Nasal Mites?
It is unknown!
94
Cheyletidae is the family that the genus Cheletiella parasitivorax belongs to. What is their common name?
Walking Dandruff
95
How did "Walking Dandruff" get its name?
They can be seen by the naked eye, and look like dandruff in the hair coat.
96
Walking Dandruff have _____ mouthparts.
hook-like mouthparts
97
How do you diagnose Walking Dandruff?
Tape prep
98
What are the two families that belong to the order Acarina?
- Argasidae (soft body ticks)
- Ixodidae (hard body ticks)
99
What is the general pathology for all ticks?
- voracious blood feeders
- vectors for disease: bacterial, viral, Rickettsial, protozoal
- toxic: Tick Paralysis
100
What is the general life cycle of ticks?
4 stages:
- egg
- larva (6 legs) aka "seed ticks" (take blood meals to develop)
- nymphs (8 legs)
- adults (able to reproduce; engorges in blood > lays eggs)
101
Which animals are the hosts for ticks?
varies depending on tick type; can have 1 or multiple hosts
102
How do you diagnose ticks?
You can see them visually
103
T/F? Ticks are zoonotic.
True!
104
What is the general morphology of Argasidae?
soft body ticks = NO scutum/shell, ventral mouthparts
105
Otobius megnini are commonly called ______. They are the most common variety of this type of ectoparasite.
Spinose Ear Ticks
106
T/F? Otobius megnini are parasitic & damaging during all stages of their life cycle.
False! They are harmful as larva/nymphs, but NOT as adults.
107
What are the signs having Spinose Ear Ticks?
very irritating, with head shaking + excoriated ears (missing skin)
108
How do you diagnose Otobius megnini?
Otoscopic evaluation
109
What is the general morphology of Ixodidae?
hard body ticks = have scutum/chitinous plate (males: complete, females: partial), large mouthparts
110
What is the common name for Ixodes scapularis?
Deer Ticks
111
Where are Deer Ticks commonly found?
in the eastern US
112
What are the hosts for Deer Ticks?
have 3 hosts during their life cycle:
- larva = small rodent (1)
- nymph = small rodent (2)
- adult = large mammal (3)
113
Which diseases can Ixodes scapularis carry/spread?
Lyme disease, Tuleremia, Babesiosis
114
Rhipicephalus sanguineus is commonly called the _______.
Brown Dog Tick
115
Where are Brown Dog Ticks commonly found?
North America
116
How many hosts do Brown Dog Ticks infest over their life cycle?
have 3 hosts during their life cycle:
- larva = small rodent (1)
- nymph = small rodent (2)
- adult = large mammal (3)
117
Which diseases can Rhipicephalus sanguineus carry/spread?
RMSF, Ehrlichiosis, Babesiosis
118
What is the main difference between Rhipicephalus spp. and Dermacentor spp. ticks?
- Rhipicephalus spp. lives inside
- Dermacentor spp. lives outdoors on vegetation
119
Which ticks belong to the Dermacentor spp.?
- American dog tick
- Rocky Mtn. wood tick
- Pacific Coast tick
120
Where do you find Dermacentor spp. in the world?
North America
121
Which is significant to know about the hosts of Dermacentor spp.?
they have 3 hosts during their life cycle:
- larva = small rodent (1)
- nymph = small rodent (2)
- adult = large mammal (3)
122
Which diseases can Dermacentor spp. carry/spread?
RMSF, Erlichiosis, Babesiosis, Tuleremia
123
What is the disease "Tuleremia" commonly called?
Rabbit Fever
124
What does "RMSF" stand for?
Rocky Mtn. Spotted Fever
125
How does Babesiosis present as?
symptoms similar to Malaria; with fever, chills, fatigue, & hemolytic anemia
