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Ticks (Acari: Ixodida) parasitizing humans in Corum and Yozgat provinces, Turkey

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Abstract

In order to identify ticks infesting humans in Corum and Yozgat provinces in Turkey, a total of 2110 ticks representing 14 species were collected on humans, between June and September 2009. Of those, 1551 (687♂, 450♀, 407 nymphs, 7 larvae) were collected from Corum and 559 (330♂, 180♀, 49 nymphs) were collected from Yozgat. The majority of ticks (n = 1121, 53.1 %) was Hyalomma marginatum. Other common ticks infesting humans were Dermacentor marginatus (n = 209, 9.9 %) and Rhipicephalus turanicus sensu lato (n = 145, 6.9 %) in the study area. In addition, a total of 386 immature Hyalomma were found on humans in Corum (335 nymphs, 7 larvae) and Yozgat (44 nymphs). Ixodes laguri and Haemaphysalis erinacei taurica were recorded for the first time in Corum. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first detailed investigation on ticks infesting humans in Corum and Yozgat, except individual or incidental records. The present study provides useful information for those concerned with ticks and tick-borne diseases in Turkey.

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Acknowledgments

This study has been supported by a Grant (KBAG114Z136) from The Scientific & Technological Research Council (TUBITAK) of Turkey.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Art, Gaziosmanpasa University, 60250, Tokat, Turkey

    Adem Keskin, Aysun Keskin & Ahmet Bursali

  2. Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Gaziosmanpasa University, Tokat, Turkey

    Saban Tekin

  3. Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Institute, TUBITAK Marmara Research Center, Kocaeli, Turkey

    Saban Tekin

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  1. Adem Keskin
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  2. Aysun Keskin
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  4. Saban Tekin
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Correspondence to Adem Keskin.

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Keskin, A., Keskin, A., Bursali, A. et al. Ticks (Acari: Ixodida) parasitizing humans in Corum and Yozgat provinces, Turkey. Exp Appl Acarol 67, 607–616 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10493-015-9966-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10493-015-9966-4

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