Recent reports of winter tick, Dermacentor albipictus, from dogs and cats in North America

• Published in: Veterinary parasitology (Amsterdam) 2020-12, Vol.22, p.100490-100490, Article 100490
• Main Authors: Duncan, Kathryn T., Clow, Katie M., Sundstrom, Kellee D., Saleh, Meriam N., Reichard, Mason V., Little, Susan E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2405-9390; 2405-9390
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2020.100490

Dermacentor albipictus, a common one-host tick of large animals in North America, is most often reported from moose (Alces alces) and is rarely implicated as a parasite of cats and dogs. From 2018 to 2020, 4 dogs and 4 cats from United States and 3 dogs from Canada were infested with D. albipictus. The specimens were collected and submitted to university diagnostic specialists by veterinary clinics in Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Alberta, and British Columbia between the months of October to February (United States) and April to June (Canada). Six adults and five nymphal D. albipictus were collected in the United States while three adults were collected from pets in Canada, and most often a single D. albipictus was present. Identification of specimens collected in the United States were confirmed by amplification and sequencing of 16S rRNA and ITS-2 gene fragments. Rickettsia spp. were not detected in any D. albipictus collected in the United States by 17 kDa-based PCR. As tick populations continue to increase and expand in North America, correct identification of ticks collected from pets is critical to accurately track the progression and spread of ticks and tick-borne diseases.