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Published on: August 31, 2013
A new canid host for subcutaneous ticks: A report from Algeria in an African golden wolf (Canis lupaster)
Noureddine Mechouk1, Georgiana Deak1, Mehdi Boucheikhchoukh2
1Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Calea Mănăștur 3-5Cluj, Napoca 400372, Romania.
Background:
Ticks are hematophagous ectoparasites that feed on the skin surface of their host. Subcutaneous localizations of ticks have predominantly been associated with red foxes, documenting new cases still brings new and potentially valuable data for tackling this unusual situation. The objective of this study is to report the presence of subcutaneous ticks in a new host and on a new continent.
Methods:
Between February 2022 and September 2023, 47 road-killed animal carcasses belonging mostly to carnivorous species were subjected to a comprehensive parasitological necropsy. Upon detection of subcutaneous tick, the protuberance was excised, dissected, and preserved in labeled vials containing ethanol. Identification of the subcutaneous tick was carried out at the species level.
Results:
A single nodule of subcutaneous ticks was found in an African golden wolf (Canis lupaster) collected from Northern Algeria; no other cases of unusual tick locations were observed. Based on morphological criteria the tick was identified as Ixodes ricinus / I. inopinatus.
Conclusion:
This study represents the first documentation of subcutaneous tick in an African golden wolf (Canis lupaster), thereby broadening the host spectrum for this atypical location. Furthermore, it underscores North Africa as a new geographical area where this phenomenon occurs.
