CHSU Discovery

Abstract

Ticks can be classified as hard or soft, based on their body type. Hard ticks (Ixodidae) have the potential to cause diseases like Lyme Disease and Anaplasmosis. Soft ticks are less likely to feed on humans. The three most common ticks in California are the Western Blacklegged tick (Ixodes pacificus), Pacific Coast tick (Dermacentor occidentalis) and American Dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis). Certain species of ticks are more likely to carry certain diseases, which is why it is helpful to identify the species when a patient has been bitten by a tick. Ticks spread disease through their feeding process. Once they find a host, they grasp onto the skin. Some species use special techniques to keep themselves attached to the host during the feeding process, such as barbs on their feeding tube or cementlike secretions. Once a tick bite has occurred, it is important to be able to recognize the potential symptoms of tick-borne diseases in order to affectively prevent and treat infections.