Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Brown dog tick)

Abstract

Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu stricto (part of the R. sanguineus group) is a tick found mainly on dogs and occasionally on other hosts; for example, wild carnivores and hedgehogs are speculated to be the hosts for one or several stages of this tick. Previously thought to be distributed worldwide, current available evidence indicates that R. sanguineus s.s. is found predominantly in cold and temperate areas of the Americas (e.g., Argentina, southern Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, and the USA) and Europe (e.g., France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Switzerland). R. sanguineus s.s. has an endophilic behaviour and may be found inside houses, on wall cracks, and in furniture. It is known or suspected to act as a vector of pathogens to dogs (e.g., Babesia vogeli and Ehrlichia canis) and humans (e.g., Rickettsia conorii and Rickettsia rickettsii). Controlling tick infestations on dogs is pivotal to mitigate the direct effects of tick blood feeding and to reduce the risk of pathogen transmission to other dogs and humans.