An instance of parasitism on a human by a nymph of the kangaroo soft tick, Ornithodoros gurneyi Warburton, 1926 (Acari: Argasidae) in South Australia

The kangaroo soft tick, Ornithodoros gurneyi Warburton, 1926, is a poorly studied argasid of the more arid regions of Australia. Anecdotal accounts have stated that this tick species will bite humans, and yet bites have not been described. Herein we report on an instance of parasitism by a nymph of O. gurneyi on a human, and we provide a summary of confirmed instances of parasitism on humans by this tick based on museum specimens.

Automated summary

The kangaroo soft tick is a poorly studied argasid found in the arid regions of Australia. Despite anecdotal accounts of this tick biting humans, detailed descriptions of such incidents are lacking. This study reports a case of a nymph of O. gurneyi parasitizing a human, and summarizes confirmed instances of parasitism on humans by this tick based on museum specimens.