30 years of samples submitted to an Australian Medical Entomology Department

Abstract

Arthropods are the cause of considerable human morbidity. In spite of numerous text books and reviews published on arthropods of medical importance, this is the first paper in the world to present a comprehensive review of specimens sent to a medical entomology laboratory over an extended period. The Department of Medical Entomology at Westmead Hospital is the New South Wales reference laboratory for arthropods of medical importance. In the years 1988–2017, there were 5655 samples submitted for identification. Some 25 orders, 188 families and 177 different genera were recorded, with 170 unique species. The most common specimens included the Australian paralysis tick Ixodes holocyclus (708 specimens submitted), the bird mite Ornithonyssus bursa (506), bed bugs Cimex spp. (149), moth flies Clogmia spp. (135), head lice Pediculus capitis (105), pubic lice Pthirus pubis (91) and scabies Sarcoptes scabiei (57). In 1211 samples submitted, there was no evidence for any life stages of arthropods. For these common samples, data analysed included yearly and seasonal trends, female vs. male patient submissions and the age classes of the patients. Some species such as I. holocyclus, O. bursa, Cimex spp., Clogmia spp. and P. capitis demonstrated strong seasonal trends. In the case of the female vs. male patients, there were significant differences in submissions with O. bursa, P. capitis, P. pubis and with the samples containing no arthropod evidence. Of these, only with P. pubis did more males submit than females. Younger ages classes (<10 years) were more associated with I. holocyclus and P. capitis, older patients >70 years) with scabies, mature females (50–69 years) with samples containing no evidence of arthropods and middle‐aged adults (40–69) with the remainder of the common samples. Key diagnostic features are included for some of the more challenging arthropod species to distinguish and as well as case studies provided of situations involving unique or unusual infestations. The data provides useful information on the risks that arthropods of medical importance pose to the community and will refine educational programs.

Immunoglobulin E Sensitization to Mammalian Oligosaccharide Galactose-α-1,3 (α-Gal) Is Associated With Noncalcified Plaque, Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease, and ST-Segment–Elevated Myocardial Infarction

“…We performed univariate binary logistic regressions between the binary dependent variables Gensini score >0 and SPS >0, 050 and the independent variables. Univariate linear regression models were performed to assess the association between the dependent variables log 10 Gensini and log 10 SPS and independent variables. The independent variables tested were α-Gal sensitization, age, sex, body mass index, hypertension, significant smoking history, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, index of relative socioeconomic disadvantage decile, and ethnicity.…”

“…[7][8][9] IgE-sensitization to the mammalian oligosaccharide galactose-α-1,3-galactose (α-Gal) can occur after an individual is bitten by certain species of tick such as Ixodes holocyclus. 10 α-Gal sensitization has been detected across all continents in tick-endemic regions. 11 Oligosaccharide galactose-α-1,3-galactose (α-Gal) is ubiquitous in mammals other than humans and present in other species including parasites.…”

An invasive human commensal and a native marsupial maintain tick populations at the urban fringe

“…In Australia, the eastern paralysis tick, Ixodes holocyclus , bites people and pets and can cause bacterial infections such as Queensland tick typhus and Q fever (Graves & Stenos, 2017), allergic reactions (van Nunen, 2018) and paralysis (Eppleston et al, 2013). Ixodes holocyclus is responsible for most human tick bites in New South Wales (Geary et al, 2021) but Ixodes tasmani is also known to bite people and carry Rickettsia spp. (Graves & Stenos, 2017).…”

The Efficacy of Ultrasonic Pest Repellent Devices against the Australian Paralysis Tick, Ixodes holocyclus (Acari: Ixodidae)

“…Worldwide, ticks are important vectors in the transmission of a range of pathogenic microorganisms, including protozoa, rickettsiae, bacteria and viruses, to their host animals and to humans [ 1 , 2 ]. In Australia, Ixodes holocyclus , commonly known as the Australian paralysis tick, is the most common species that bite humans and is the main species responsible for inducing tick-related morbidity in humans and pets [ 3 , 4 ]. Not only is the species capable of transmitting rickettsia such as Rickettsia australis Philip (etiological agent of Queensland tick typhus) [ 3 ], the bite of the tick can cause potentially life-threatening toxicosis, tick paralysis, and induce a range of allergic reactions, such as α-Gal syndrome (mammalian meat allergy) [ 5 , 6 ].…”