Host-related factors affecting the occurrence of tick on dogs in Ilha Grande, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil

A study on Ilha Grande, Brazil, revealed that dogs with street access, poor body condition, medium to large size, and undefined breeds had a higher occurrence of the tick species Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (s.l.). The research surveyed 388 dogs across 11 villages, finding ticks on 118 dogs, with R. sanguineus s.l. being the most prevalent at 28.87%. While dogs interacted with surrounding forests and wild animals, the prevalence of ticks associated with wildlife was low. This suggests that host-related factors play a significant role in tick infestation, even in areas with strict conservation policies.

Lourenço, E. C., Alves-da-Silva, A. F., Gaspar, É., & Bergallo, H. G. (2020). Host-related factors affecting the occurrence of tick on dogs in Ilha Grande, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. International Journal of Acarology, 46(6), 424–430. https://doi.org/10.1080/01647954.2020.1804999