The pigeon tick (Argas reflexus): its biology, ecology, and epidemiological aspects

Mosquitoes and soft ticks cannot transmit Lyme disease spirochetes

“…Extensive seroepidemiologic studies on these birds and microbiological observations on thousands of their argasid parasites, however, suggest that pigeons and their ticks play no role in the enzootic transmission cycle of the agent of Lyme disease (Fabbi et al 1995;Thormahlen et al 1997;Dautel et al 1999). In nature, few pigeon ticks feed on hosts competent for Lyme disease spirochetes.…”

IgE-mediated anaphylaxis caused by bites of the pigeon tick Argas reflexus: Cloning and expression of the major allergen Arg r 1

“…The species A reflexus parasitizing wild and domesticated pigeons (Columba livia) has been found in the Mediterranean region as well as in central and eastern Europe. 13,14 Anaphylactic reactions have been described after bites by hard ticks. [26][27][28][29][30] The feeding of hard ticks is different and lasts for several days compared with minutes for soft ticks.…”

“…Several sera (5,8,11,13) also recognized a strong band at 40 kd. Additional bands were detected by some sera at 30 kd as well as in the high molecular weight range.…”

“…Besides specimen procurement problems, tick extracts harbor the potential risk of transferring infectious agents, at least when used for skin tests. 13,14 The purpose of this study was to isolate the dominant allergen of A reflexus, to clone the corresponding cDNA, to express the allergen as recombinant protein, and to test its usefulness as a diagnostic tool.…”

Host finding of the pigeon tick Argas reflexus

“…In human buildings in central Europe, A. reflexus is predominantly an urban pest (Dautel et al, 1999). It is mainly nocturnally active and spends most of its life off-host, hidden in cracks and crevices.…”