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Updated: May 19, 2026
09:45
Harvesting Venom Toxins from Assassin Bugs and Other Heteropteran Insects
Published on: April 21, 2018
[A woman with a biting arthropod]
Jaap J van Hellemond1, Yvonne van Beek-Nieuwland, Perry J J van Genderen
1Havenziekenhuis, Afd. Medische Microbiologie en Infectieziekten, Rotterdam, the Netherlands. j.vanhellemond@erasmusmc.nl
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde
|August 9, 2012
Summary
A woman experienced a red, itchy bump from a pigeon tick bite. These soft ticks, Argas reflexus, can transmit infectious diseases to humans, though bites are uncommon.
Area of Science:
- Arthropod-borne diseases
- Medical entomology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Soft ticks (Argasidae) are ectoparasites that feed on birds, mammals, and humans.
- Pigeon ticks (Argas reflexus) are known vectors of various pathogens.
- Human infestation by pigeon ticks is infrequent but documented.
Observation:
- A 36-year-old female presented with an erythematous, pruritic papule on her back.
- The patient provided the causative arthropod for identification.
- Morphological analysis identified the arthropod as Argas reflexus.
Findings:
- The patient's lesion was diagnosed as a soft tick bite.
- The identified tick species was Argas reflexus, commonly known as the pigeon tick.
- Pigeon ticks are capable of transmitting multiple infectious agents.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential for pigeon ticks to bite humans and transmit diseases.
- Accurate arthropod identification is crucial for diagnosing and managing tick-borne illnesses.
- Public health awareness regarding uncommon tick vectors is important for preventing disease transmission.
