This results in the adult stage, where it feeds one last time and is able to sexually reproduce.The stage when ticks are most able to transmit this disease is the nymph stage. They are also the most dangerous in this stage since they are usually less than two millimeters in size and can stay virtually undetected until they are done feeding. Transmission
Queensland tick typhus is transmitted primarily by two types of tick: Ixodes holocyclus and Ixodes tasmani. After the initial attachment to a host, depending on the species and life stage of the tick, it takes anywhere from 10 minutes to 2 hours for it to begin to feed. Once a tick attaches, it can stay on a host for about 12 to 18 hours and then falls off when full. A tick must be attached for a long period of time to transmit bacteria. A tick that appears flat and small probably has not eaten yet. Pathogenesis
After transmission from the infected tick, the bacterium Rickettsia australias enters the body via the bloodstream. The first sign of disease is damage to the skins microcirculation, which results in a rash. From there, the damage continues further into vital organs and can ultimately result in sepsis with multi-organ failure if left untreated. Diagnosis
This disease can be challenging to diagnose because the initial signs are non-descript and relatively common. Analyzing recent travel history can be vital in the beginning stages of treatment.
If the clothes are wet, then they should be washed with hot water then dried on high heat. Each individual should shower within two hours of returning home since this can help wash off any unattached ticks. Finally, a full-body check should be performed to ensure that there is no attached tick. If a pet was taken with you, they should receive a bath and a full-body tick check as well to ensure that they are not carrying anything into the home. Treatment
Early treatment for Queensland tick typhus is relatively simple. It includes a course of oral antibiotics such as doxycycline or chloramphenicol. If a patient cannot take the medication orally, then the antibiotics are given intravenously by a medical professional. Epidemiology
Queensland tick typhus is endemic to Australia. Since there is no compulsory reporting of rickettsial infections in Australia, it can be difficult to monitor the geographical distribution of this disease and have an accurate count of the number of cases occurring each year. The disease is most common along the east coast of Australia, coinciding with the geographic range of its tick vectors. History
This disease was noted during World War II among Australian soldiers undergoing basic training on the Atherton Tableland in Queensland. It is most common along the east coast of Australia, including that of Queensland. See also
Typhus
North Asian tick typhus
Rocky Mountain spotted fever
List of cutaneous conditions

References


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