Anomalous morphologies in Ixodes scapularis feeding on human hosts.

Cases of anomalous morphologies in the blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis, have been reported in both field-collected and human-biting specimen in the Northeastern and Midwestern United States, complicating the identification of this medically important tick species. We herein describe four cases of morphological anomalies in I. scapularis females exhibiting nanism and abnormally small genital apertures. We also report a female I. scapularis displaying slight asymmetry in the lower abdomen oriented toward the right side and an abnormal anal groove completely enclosing the anus. The identity of each specimen was confirmed using taxonomic keys, high resolution light and scanning electron microscopy imaging, and DNA sequencing of the 18S rRNA gene. All specimens described in this study were found parasitizing human hosts and were submitted to the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station-Tick Testing Laboratory in 2021 for species identification and pathogen screening. Here, we also discuss recent reports of teratological abnormalities in I. scapularis as well as likely causes for such deformities and potential implications.

A seven-legged tick: Report of a morphological anomaly in Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) biting a human host from the Northeastern United States.

Cases of morphological anomalies in the blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae), have recently been reported from the Northeastern and upper Midwestern United States, potentially complicating identification of this important vector of human disease-causing pathogens. We hereby report a case of a morphological anomaly in I. scapularis, biting a human host residing in Norwich, Connecticut. Using a dichotomous morphological key, high-resolution and scanning electron microscopy images, as well as DNA sequencing, the tick was identified as an adult female I. scapularis with three legs on the left side of the abdomen versus four on the right side, which we believe is the first case of ectromely in an adult I. scapularis. Using diagnostic genes in polymerase chain reaction, the specimen tested positive for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Anaplasma phagocytophilum, the causative agents for Lyme disease and anaplasmosis, respectively, and also showed evidence of a rickettsial endosymbiont. Here we discuss recent reports of morphological anomalies in I. scapularis, and emphasize the significance of additional studies of teratology in this important tick species and its potential implications.

General and Local Morphological Anomalies in Amblyomma lepidum (Acari: Ixodidae) and Rhipicephalus decoloratus Infesting Cattle in Uganda.

Morphological abnormalities in ticks seem to be rare phenomena in nature, and are underreported in Africa. In this article, we describe general and local anomalies in two Amblyomma lepidum females and one Rhipicephalus decoloratus female collected from cattle in Moroto and Kasese districts, Uganda. One A. lepidum specimen displayed metagynander gynandromorphism with the presence of both male and female features in the same organism. The second A. lepidum female showed slight asymmetry and lacked a genital aperture. The R. decoloratus displayed multiple anomalies that included asymmetry on the right side in association with ectromely, chitinous formations and constrictions on the left side. This article presents the first report of metagynander gynandromorphism, as well as genital aperture absence which is not linked to gynandromorphism, in A. lepidum collected from cattle.

Multiple Abnormalities in the Skull of a Prostitute. An Autopsy Report (1900).

OBJECTIVE: The study presents and comments on the publication of an autopsy report. CASE REPORT: In 1900 De Blasio published an article entitled "Multiple abnormalities in a prostitute's skull" in the "Journal of Psychiatry, Criminal Anthropology and related sciences". In this work De Blasio related anomalies at the cranial level to the presence of mental pathologies. The skull belonged to a 24-year-old prostitute who died of syphilitic hepatitis. In his article, De Blasio described the life of the woman, after which he gave a macroscopic description of the skull. De Blasio believed that the subject's amoral behavior was caused by the anomalous shape of the subject's skull. CONCLUSION: From the study, it is evident that the school of criminal anthropology influenced De Blasio's autopsy medical practice, and it is interesting to note the interpretation of anthropologists of the time who tried to describe the link between physical and behavioral anomalies.

A nine-legged tick: Report of a morphological anomaly in the blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) from the northeastern United States.

Morphological anomalies have been reported in the blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae), from the northeastern and upper Midwestern United States, complicating identification of this important vector of human pathogens. Here, we report a case of a local morphological anomaly in I. scapularis, parasitizing a human living in Connecticut. We used a dichotomous morphological key, high-resolution and scanning electron microscopy images, as well as DNA sequencing for identification. The specimen was identified as an adult female I. scapularis with the left leg II split at the trochanter, resulting in two complete legs from the femur to pretarsus giving the appearance of five legs on the left side versus four on the right side. Here we discuss recent reports of morphological anomalies in I. scapularis, and highlight the need for further studies of teratology in this important tick species and its potential implications.