ARTHROPODA

Abundo, John David

Almazan, Alyssa Pilar
Velasco, James Samuel
External Characteristics
• chitinous exoskeleton and appendages
• body divided into head, thorax, and abdomen
• elaborate mouthparts for sucking, chewing, and
biting
Medical Importance
• Transmit parasites and bacteria, causing disease
▫ Modes of Transmission
 mechanical
 biological
• External parasites
MEDICALLY IMPORTANT
ARTHROPODS
slides in stockroom
Cyclops
• small, aquatic copepod
• free-living
• no carapace
• antennae
• median eye
• one pair of maxillae
• five pairs of swimming legs
Cyclops
• intermediate hosts of:
▫ Diphyllobothrium latum
▫ Dracunculus medinensis
▫ Gnatosthoma
▫ Spirometra
Spider
• body: cephalothorax
and abdomen;
prosoma constricted
from opisthosoma
• no antenna
• 4 pairs of appendages
• 1 pair of chelicerae having hollow fangs (opening
of poison glands
• gonads open near base of abdomen
Spider
REPRODUCTION
• eggs in masses protected by coccoon
• molting of immature spiders
FEEDING
• carnivorous/cannibalistic
• insert fangs into victims’ bodies to render
helpless/kill, then suck out nourishing juices
ENVENOMATION (ARACHNIDISM)
• Spiders defend themselves by attacking and
injecting toxin in skin
• due to nonhemolytic neurotoxin
• Systemic - caused by
▫ tropical tarantulas
▫ widow spiders
▫ wandering spiders
▫ wolf spiders
Systemic Arachnidism: Symptoms
• Sharp pain at site of bite
• Redness and swelling later on
• Intense burning and aching
• Dizziness, leg weakness and tremors, abdominal
cramps
• dull pain in chest, back, and abdominal muscles,
all of which contract spastically; board-like
rigidity
• hypertension, profuse cold sweating, nausea,
vomiting, severe headache, moderate rise in
temperature, constipation, acute urinary
retention, reduced heartbeat and feeble pulse,
cyanosis, anxiety, labored breathing and speech,
insomnia, restlessness with light stupor.
convulsions in children
• at times complete prostration, shock, or delirium
Systemic Arachnidism
DIAGNOSIS
• two small red spots at site of bite
• history of possible exposure; clinical signs and
symptoms
TREATMENT
• local anesthetic, or analgesic (parenteral
administration of diazepam)
• intravenous infusion and hydrocortisone
• hot baths and intravenous injection of
Systemic Arachnidism

• Neostigmine
• Intramuscular administration of antivenin (for
black widow bites)
ENVENOMATION (ARACHNIDISM)
• Necrotic – caused by
▫ Loxosceles sp., commonly L. reclusa (brown
recluse spider)
Necrotic Arachnidism: Symptoms
• Severe, sharp pain at site of bite, which
immediately becomes swollen and ischemic
• Small amount and low potency venoms:
mild systemic reaction and scarlatiniform rash
Necrotic Arachnidism
• Considerable amount and high potency:
viscerocutaneous effects
ON FACE
• Eye injury appears as puffy, thick, reddened
wheal with a necrotic center that shuts eye;
swollen area becomes violet in color, then
blackens and dries; area sloughs after cutaneous
necrosis, leaving a deep granular center; slow
healing with deep disfigurement and scar tissue
 ON LIMBS
• Separation of superficial skin layers from deeper
tissue to form vesicles or blebs
• Upper limb: extensive deep necrosis into deep
muscle; sloughing
• SYSTEMIC REACTIONS: hemolytic anemia,
hemoglobinuria, hematuria, jaundice, fever,
sensorial involvement within 6-24 hrs after bite
(HIGH MORTALITY RATE)
Necrotic Arachnidism
DIAGNOSIS
• characteristic necrotic lesions, along with history
of exposure
TREATMENT
• no specific chemotherapeutics
• administration of corticosteroids
True Lice
• small, crawling,
wingless insect
• distinct head, thorax, and
abdomen
• dorsoventrally compressed
• 1 pair of antennae
• 1-clawed tarsi
• sucking mouthparts
• legs adapted for clinging to hairs and fibers
True Lice
• produce pediculosis, an irritating dermatitis
• can transmit the causative agents of specific
diseases
Pediculus humanus capitis
• The head louse feeds on blood several times
daily and resides close to the scalp to maintain
its body temperature.
Pediculus humanus capitis
• It has a simple life cycle:
Pediculus humanus capitis
• Head lice infestations can be asymptomatic, particularly with
a first infestation or when an infestation is light. Itching
(“pruritus”) is the most common symptom of head lice
infestation and is caused by an allergic reaction to louse bites.
It may take 4-6 weeks for itching to appear the first time a
person has head lice.
• Other symptoms may include:
▫ a tickling feeling or a sensation of something moving in the hair;
▫ irritability and sleeplessness; and
▫ sores on the head caused by scratching. These sores caused by
scratching can sometimes become infected with bacteria
normally found on a person’s skin
Pediculus humanus capitis
• Head lice are not known to transmit any disease
and therefore are not considered a health
hazard.
DIAGNOSIS
• Finding a live nymph or adult louse on the scalp
or hair of a person
• Finding nits attached firmly within 1/4 inch of
the base of hair shafts (frequently behind the
ears and near the back of the neck)
 TREATMENT
• Pyrethrins
• Permethrin lotion 1%
• Malathion lotion 0.5%;
• Lindane shampoo 1%;
Pediculus humanus corporis
• lice live and lay eggs on clothing and only move
to the skin to feed
• known to spread disease
▫ typhus
▫ louse-borne relapsing fever
▫ trench fever
▫ Salmonellosis
Pediculus humanus corporis
• roseate elevated papule at site of bite, with
intense pruritus; scarring of skin with parallel
stripes, and bronzing with pigment;
inflammatory reaction
Pediculus humanus corporis
DIAGNOSIS
• Finding eggs and crawling lice in the seams of
clothing (or on the skin).
TREATMENT
• Improving the personal hygiene of the infested
person
• Pediculicide
Haematopinus suis
• Largest louse species
commonly associated with
domestic animals
• It is found most frequently in the folds of skin
behind the ears and between the legs
• Blood-sucking activity results in much irritation
and discomfort to swine.
• Pediculosis is manifest by pruritus and dermal
irritation with resultant scratching, rubbing, and
biting of infested areas
• A generally unthrifty appearance, rough coat,
and lowered production in farm animals are
common
• In severe infestations, there may be loss of hair
and local scarification
• Extreme infestation with sucking lice can cause
anemia
• Sucking lice cause small wounds that may
become infected. The constant crawling and
piercing or biting of the skin causes nervousness
in hosts
 DIAGNOSIS
• Hog lice usually move more slowly and are found
with mouthparts embedded in the skin
TREATMENT
• Spraying with coumaphos, malathion,
methoxychlor, permethrin, tetrachlorvinphos,
lindane, phosmet, amitraz, and fenvalerate
Cimex lectularius (Bedbugs)
• Blood sucking species
• Habits
▫ Feed at night on humans and small mammals
▫ Conceal in crevices of wooden bedsteads or under
loose wallpaper
▫ Easily transported in clothing and baggage
▫ Emit a characteristic odor
Cimex lectularius (Bedbugs)
•Morphology
• Oval, dosoventrally
flattened, chestnut-brown
bodies
• Pyramidal head bears
compound eyes, slender
antennae, specialized
mouthparts in a long
proboscis
• Each of the 3 thoracic
segments bears a pair of
legs that terminate in a pair
of simple claws
Cimex lectularius (Bedbugs)
Cimex lectularius (Bedbugs)
• Clinical Manifestations
▫ Bite of the bedbug produces red itching wheals
and bullae
▫ Some persons show little or no reaction
▫ Others may manifest allergic symptoms with
generalized urticaria and even asthma
▫ Role in transmission of human disease is minimal;
may act as a mechanical carrier but is not a proved
biologic vector of human diseases
Cimex lectularius (Bedbugs)
• Treatment
▫ Irritation and itching of bites may be relieved by
ammonia, spirits of camphor, menthol-phenol
paste, or calamine lotion
• Control
▫ Repair of cracked plaster and wallpaper
▫ Apply 5% DDT solution in kerosene, 0.1% Lindane
oil solution, or 1% malathion solution to floors,
walls, furniture, and mattresses
Order Acarina
(Ticks and Mites)
• Includes many parasites and vectors of diseases
of humans and lower animals
• Mouth parts and their base, the capitulum, are
attached to the anterior portion of the body by a
movable hinge
• Sexes are separate
Ticks vs Mites
Parasitic Ticks Parasitic Mites

• Larger Size • Much smaller

• Leathery body
• Exposed armed hypostome
• Presence of a pair of spiracles
• Nearly all are capable of biting
human beings
• No leathery covering
• Hypostome is unarmed
• Spiracles present on the
idiosoma of some mites
• Only some cause direct injury
to people or transmit human
diseases
Dermacentor variabilis (Dogtick)
• Hard tick
• Morphology
▫ Reddish or mahogany-brown cephalothorax and
abdomen are fused into an oval body with four
pairs of 6-segmented legs
▫ Capitulum (false head) consists of basis capituli,
of taxonomic value, and mouth parts comprising
hypostome (anchors to host), chelicerae (cutting
organs for insertion of hypostome), and pedipalps
(support)
Dermacentor variabilis (Dogtick)
• Clinical Manifestations
1. Mechanical injury
 Produces inflammatory reaction, with local
hyperemia
2. Tick paralysis
 Caused by neurotoxins produced by tick’s salivary
glands. Symptoms include: weakness in both legs
which progresses to paralysis and may ascend to
arms, legs, and head. Respiratory paralysis may
lead to death
3. Transmission of human diseases
 Rocky mountain spotted fever, Lyme disease,
tularemia
Dermacentor variabilis (Dogtick)
• Treatment
▫ Removal from skin by gentle traction after
applying chloroform, ether, or alcohol
* Care should be taken not to break of the capitulum
in the wound
- Paralysis, if present, subsides after removal of tick
Sarcoptes scabiei (Mange Mites)

• Morphology
▫ Small, oval, dorally convex,
ventrally flattened eyeless
mite
▫ Male: 200 to 250 µ
▫ Female: 330 to 450 µ
▫ Mouth parts consist of
toothed chelicerae, 3-jointed
conical pedipalps, and
hypostome
▫ 4 pairs of legs
Sarcoptes scabiei (Mange Mites)
• Scabies
▫ Sites are interdigital spaces, flexor surfaces of the
wrists and forearms, elbows, back, and genitalia
▫ Lesions appear as slightly reddish elevated tracts
in skin
▫ Intense itching aggravated by warmth and
perspiration causes scratching which spreads
infestation and irritates lesions
▫ Diagnosis: obtaining mite from its burrow with a
needle
▫ Transmitted by personal contact
Sarcoptes scabiei (Mange Mites)
• Treatment
▫ Application of Kwell after a hot, soapy bath

• Control
▫ Treatment of infected individuals, sterilization of
garments and bedding, and personal cleanliness
 MOSQUITOES

Anopheles, Aedes, Culex

Morphology:
• Have Elongated mouth parts;
– females – adapted for piercing and sucking blood, consist of
grooves lower labium, the upper labrum-epipharynx, the
hypopharynx, the styletlike mandibles, and the serrated maxillae.
The maxillary palps are slender and hairy
– Males – weak mouth parts unable to penetrate human skin,
relegated to a vegetarian diet – plant juices. Maxillary palps are
long and ornamented like the antennae with tufts of hair( gives a
plumed appearance. Salivary glands are located in the prothorax.
• Long, 15 –jointed antennae; males - pulmose, females – pilose
• Characteristic wing venation, with scales
• Roughly spherical head is almost covered by a pair of compound eyes
that nearly meet
• Rigid thorax, covered by a dorsal scutum; bears 3 pairs of long,
slender legs
Aedes (A. aegypti) Culex (C. pipiens)
Anopheles (A. stephensi)
 Difference between Culex and Anopheles: EGGS
CULEX ANOPHELES

• Eggs are laid vertically in • Egg are laid horizontally singly.

clusters.
• Rafts are formed.
• Egg cigar-shaped
• Egg without lateral air float.
• Usually 200-400 eggs in dirty
water.
• Rafts are not formed.
• Egg boat-shaped.
• Egg with lateral air floats.
• usually 40-100 eggs are laid in
fresh and clean water.
CULEX ANOPHELES
 LARVA
CULEX ANOPHELES
• Bottom feeder. • Surface feeder.
• The head hangs downwards at • The head lies horizontally
an angle with the surface. parallel to the surface of water.
• Without paimate hairs. • With palmate hairs on the
• Long conical respiratory siphon. abdomen.
• Respiratory siphon absent (=
exceedingly short)
CULEX ANOPHELES
 PUPA
CULEX ANOPHELES
• Pupa colorless • Pupa green in color.
• Respiratory trumpet long. • Respiratory trumpet short.
• No palmate hairs. • With palmate hairs.
CULEX ANOPHELES
CULEX PUPA (C. annulirostris)
 Clinical Manifestation
• Bites from Mosquitoes (female) causes itching
and swelling
• Others have little irritation, redness
 Treatment
• Calamine lotions
• Cortisone creams
– Basically anti itching creams or lotions
 FLEAS

Ctenophalides canis, C. felis

 Morphology
• Fleas are small, brown, wingless insects, 2.0 –
2.5 mm, with laterally compressed bodies. The
small head may bear eyes and combs; all have
antennae and suctorial mouth parts. Each
segment of the three-segmented thorax bears
a pair of powerful legs terminating in two
curved claws.
 C. canis
male female
 Clinical Manifestation
• Flea infestations can be not only annoying for both animals and humans but
also very dangerous. Problems caused by fleas may range from mild to severe
itching and discomfort to skin problems and infections. Anemia may also result
from flea bites in extreme circumstances. Furthermore, fleas can transmit
tapeworms and diseases to pets.
• When fleas bite humans they may develop an itching rash with small bumps
that may bleed. This rash is usually located on the armpit or fold of a joint such
as the elbow, knee, or ankle. When the area is pressed, it turns white.
• When dogs are troubled by fleas they scratch and bite themselves especially in
areas such as the head, neck, and around the tail. Fleas normally concentrate in
such areas. This incessant scratching and biting may cause the dog's skin to
become red and inflamed.
• Flea allergy dermatitis is developed by those dogs allergic to flea saliva. In this
case, the symptoms previously mentioned are more pronounced. Because of
compulsive scratching and biting, the dog may lose hair, get bald spots, exhibit
hot spots due to extreme irritation, and develop infections that result in smelly
skin
 Treatment
• To effectively get rid of fleas and flea eggs, one should treat not only
dogs but also the household and exterior regions to eliminate eggs from
bedding, grass, floor, furniture and other areas.
• Treatment should be given as soon as signs of fleas appear and
repeated regularly. Delays in treating the infestation may lead to flea-
transmitted diseases.
• Once-a-month topical products are the most commonly used products
to kill parasite infestations. They are normally applied on the back of the
pet and their advantage is that they also provide protection from
further infestations. Sprays come in the form of aerosols and pump
bottles and they are meant to be applied on all parts of the pet. Dips
and rinses are also available but they are not as common as the other
such products because they are ones of the most unsafe for the health
of the pet.
• Avermectin