Acariasis - Symptoms, Treatment, Forms, Stages, Diagnosis

2024 Author: Rachel Wainwright | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 07:39

Acariasis

The content of the article:

1. Causes and risk factors
2. Forms of the disease

3. Symptoms

   1. Scabies
   2. Demodecosis
   3. Deep acariasis
   4. Tick sensitization (tick allergy)
4. Diagnostics
5. Treatment
6. Possible complications and consequences
7. Forecast
8. Prevention

Acariasis is the general name for diseases of humans, plants and animals that are provoked by ticks. They belong to the group of arachnoses - diseases caused by representatives of the arachnid class.

Acariasis are several dozen diseases, the most famous of which are scabies, demodectic mange, tick-borne sensitization (tick-borne allergy).

Synonym: acarosis.

Acariasis - diseases caused by ticks

Causes and risk factors

The provocateurs of acariasis are mites, microscopic parasites, widespread both in wildlife and indoors.

The tick, as a rule, is small - 0.2–1 mm, although individuals up to 5 mm are found. 6 pairs of appendages depart from the body, 4 of which (back and middle pairs) function as legs equipped with claws or suction cups for better fixation on surfaces. The anterior pair of appendages, chelicerae, are included in the complex of oral organs and are represented by claws or piercing-cutting structures.

In parasitology, the term "acarotoxicity of the human environment" is widely used. The introduction of this concept is associated with the detection in the immediate environment of a person (in everyday life, on wearable and bedding, in industrial and utility rooms, public places, etc.) over 150 species of microscopic mites.

According to acarologists (specialists in ticks), any tick that has fallen into the immediate environment of a person does not leave it voluntarily, but adapts to its existence in new conditions.

The development of a pathological vicious circle is characteristic. The neutralization of tick-borne allergens with antibodies in the organism affected by acariasis is carried out continuously, the compensatory immune function of the antibody-forming organs, which was initially strengthened, gradually depletes. Thus, at first they increase, then decrease, and then the defenses of the human body affected by acariasis are almost completely depleted. Immune deficiency (immunodeficiency) develops, aggravating the course of the disease.

Forms of the disease

There are 3 main forms of acariasis:

• superficial (acarodermatitis), which occur at the sites of bites or contacts, while parasites are on the skin and in its thickness;
• deep. They are caused by deeply penetrating endocites;
• tick sensitization, or an allergic reaction to non-parasitic ticks and their waste products.

Ticks adapt perfectly to life inside the human body

Endoparasites - mites that have adapted to life inside the human body - cause acariasis of the intestines, respiratory tract, urinary system, hearing and vision organs. These pathologies are poorly understood, have an insignificant percentage in the overall structure of diseases caused by ticks, and are more common in countries with tropical and subtropical climates.

Symptoms

The main superficial acariasis, or acaryodermatitis, which have the greatest clinical significance, are demodicosis and scabies. The symptoms of these diseases are different.

Scabies

Scabies (sarcoptic acariasis) is a highly contagious disease caused by the scabies mites Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis. Infection occurs through skin-to-skin contact: contact sports, children playing, hugging, shaking hands, sexual contact, etc.

Scabies mites cause diseases like scabies

The main manifestations of scabies:

• itching, worse in the evening;
• rash in the form of small erythematous nodules;
• scratching marks on the skin;
• the presence of scabies (whitish-gray lines slightly rising above the skin surface, 1 mm to 1 cm long, the front blind end of the stroke is distinguishable by the presence of a tick in it, which is visible through the epidermis as a dark point);
• sleep disorders;
• an increase in regional lymph nodes in places of localization of ticks;
• possible development of sensitization, the addition of allergic reactions.

As the disease progresses, the rash acquires a confluent nature, the nodules transform into bubbles with transparent serous contents, less often into large bubbles. In case of infection of scratches, small pustular elements, crusts are attached to the rash.

Scabies are most often found in the interdigital spaces, on the skin of the penis, on the inside of the wrists and forearms - in places where the skin is thinnest. The rash is also initially localized in these areas, then spreads to places of friction and constant contact with clothing (extensor surfaces of the arms, buttocks, feet, lumbar region, skin under the breast in women).

Demodecosis

Demodectic mange is caused by acne glandulum (Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis), a conditionally pathogenic mite localized in the ducts of the sebaceous glands and hair follicles.

Demadecosis is caused by acne, which is localized in the hair follicles and ducts of the sebaceous glands

Most people are carriers of this tick in the norm; it feeds on cells of desquamated epithelium and the product of the activity of the sebaceous glands. In the case of severe infectious-inflammatory or chronic diseases, immunodeficiency states, long-term pharmacotherapy with certain drugs, etc., the tick penetrates deep into the sebaceous glands and hair follicles. The waste products of the glandular clog the excretory ducts of the glands, causing specific symptoms:

• pronounced hyperemia and peeling of the skin in places of intense formation of skin secretions (on the eyelids, forehead, in the nasolabial folds and on the chin, in the external auditory canal);
• expansion of superficial vessels of the skin;
• increased oily skin (moist, greasy shine);
• enlargement of pores, tuberosity of the skin;
• eye fatigue, feeling of a foreign body, sand;
• swelling of the eyelids, especially pronounced in the morning;
• peeling and hyperemia of the ciliated edge of the eyelids, eyebrows;
• loss of eyelashes;
• an accumulation of foamy, sticky substance in the corners of the eyes, especially after a night's sleep;
• acne, multiple small pustular formations;
• itching of the skin of the face, worse in the evening.

Deep acariasis

Deep acariasis are not well understood. The clinic depends on the system, which is mainly involved in the pathological process. With intestinal acariasis, patients complain of nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea. Urinary acariasis is manifested by cramps and pain during urination, the appearance of traces of blood in the urine. With the defeat of the respiratory system, the main symptoms are cough, discharge from the nose of abundant mucous discharge. Oto- and ophthalmoacariasis are also referred to as deep acariasis. In this case, the organs of hearing and vision are affected, respectively (manifested by itching, decreased hearing acuity, a feeling of pain in the eyes, lacrimation).

Intestinal acariasis is characterized by abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea

Tick sensitization (tick allergy)

The main symptoms of tick-borne allergy are non-specific:

• itching of the skin, possible peeling;
• tickling in the nasopharynx, sneezing;
• lacrimation, profuse mucous discharge from the nose;
• difficulty breathing;
• burning and foreign body feeling in the eyes;
• sclera injection (redness of the whites of the eyes);
• skin rashes of varying intensity and nature.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of acariasis is based on microscopy of the material in which the pathogen is found (eyelashes, hair, skin scrapings, sputum, urine, saliva, discharge from the nose are examined), and a visual examination of the affected area.

Treatment

Complex treatment of acariasis:

• eradication of parasites (with Ornidazole, Metronidazole, Benzyl benzoate, pyrethrins and pyrethroids, Ivermectin);
• elimination of local skin inflammation (with the help of ointments containing antibacterial substances - erythro- or clindamycin, benzyl benzoate, sodium thiosulfate, ichthyol);
• the use of alcohol-containing lotions, tonics to eliminate the symptoms of the disease;
• the use of artificial tear preparations for dry eye syndrome (eye drops);
• with lesions of the eyelids - treatment with Dimexide solution, decoctions of anti-inflammatory herbs;
• the use of immunostimulants, immunomodulators;
• taking antihistamines.

Alcohol tonics and lotions help to eliminate the symptoms of demodicosis

Possible complications and consequences

The most common complications of acariasis:

• accession of a secondary infection, pyoderma, sepsis;
• immunodeficiency states;
• furunculosis;
• eczema;
• depressive-hypochondriac syndrome;
• purulent otitis media;
• erysipelas;
• lymphadenitis;
• allergic reactions of varying severity, up to Quincke's edema.

Forecast

The prognosis is generally good.

If the immune status is preserved, the disease does not pose an immediate threat to life. Timely adequate treatment can eliminate the symptoms and consequences of the disease. The ability to work is fully restored.

Prevention

1. The use of acaricides, repellents to destroy parasites.
2. Systematic extermination of rodents - carriers of ticks.

YouTube video related to the article:

Olesya Smolnyakova Therapy, clinical pharmacology and pharmacotherapy About the author

Education: higher, 2004 (GOU VPO "Kursk State Medical University"), specialty "General Medicine", qualification "Doctor". 2008-2012 - Postgraduate student of the Department of Clinical Pharmacology, KSMU, Candidate of Medical Sciences (2013, specialty "Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology"). 2014-2015 - professional retraining, specialty "Management in education", FSBEI HPE "KSU".

The information is generalized and provided for informational purposes only. At the first sign of illness, see your doctor. Self-medication is hazardous to health!