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Human Otoacariasis in Two Climatically Diverse Districts in Sri Lanka: Seasonality, Risk Factors, and Case Notes

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Abstract

Purpose

Otoacariasis is a parasitic otopathy reported in many parts of the world. This study presents the seasonal pattern, risk factors, and case notes on human otoacariasis in two climatically different districts: Anuradhapura and Kandy in the Dry and Wet/Intermediate zone of Sri Lanka, respectively.

Methods

Ticks removed from the ear canal of patients were collected. Risk factors of otoacarisis were determined by a case/control follow-up study.

Results

Nymphal Dermacentor auratus (90.8%) was the main tick species associated otoacariasis. In the Kandy District, infestation was year-round, while in the Anuradhapura District, it was seasonal with a peak in December–February. Children < 10 years were a risk group in both districts. Females were a risk group in the Kandy District. Engagement in outdoor activities was a risk factor in both districts. In addition, the presence of wildlife and domesticated animals were risk factors in the Kandy and Anuradhapura districts, respectively. The treatment protocols in the two hospitals were different. An infant with otoacariasis from the Anuradhapura District developed rickettsia.

Conclusions

Although the tick species was the same, seasonality, risk groups, and risk factors in the two districts were different which could be due to the establishment and persistence of tick populations influenced by biotic and abiotic factors.

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Data Availability

All data are available in hard copies and soft copies with the principal investigator stored securely releasable upon any reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

Authors acknowledge the participants of the survey, and assistance from the ENT clinic staff in collecting tick samples and patient information. Financial assistance from National Research Council (Grant 11-44) is gratefully acknowledged.

Funding

Financial assistance from National Research Council (Grant 11–44) is gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

    K. O. Bandaranayaka & R. S. Rajakaruna

  2. Postgraduate Institute of Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

    K. O. Bandaranayaka & R. S. Rajakaruna

  3. Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

    S. A. M. Kularatne

  4. Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

    R. P. V. J. Rajapakse

  5. General Hospital, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

    U. B. Abeysundara & R. M. M. A. Rajapaksha

Authors
  1. K. O. Bandaranayaka
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  2. S. A. M. Kularatne
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  3. R. P. V. J. Rajapakse
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  4. U. B. Abeysundara
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  5. R. M. M. A. Rajapaksha
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  6. R. S. Rajakaruna
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Contributions

KOB: Investigation, data curation, writing the original draft, visualization, formal analysis; SAMK: Conceptualization, methodology, resources, and writing review and editing; RPVJR: Conceptualization, methodology, writing review and editing, and supervision; UBA: Methodology and resources; RMMAR: Methodology and resources; RSR: Conceptualization, methodology, validation (medical perspective), writing review and editing, supervision, and project administration.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to R. S. Rajakaruna.

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Authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Ethical Approval

All the study protocols and objectives were approved by the Institutional Ethical Clearance Committee of Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

Informed Consent to Participate

Informed written consent was obtained before interviewing the patients and voluntary participants of the study after explaining the study protocols.

Informed Consent for Publication

Additional informed consent was obtained from all the participants on publishing data extracted from the interviews.

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Bandaranayaka, K.O., Kularatne, S.A.M., Rajapakse, R.P.V.J. et al. Human Otoacariasis in Two Climatically Diverse Districts in Sri Lanka: Seasonality, Risk Factors, and Case Notes. Acta Parasit. 66, 1326–1340 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11686-021-00372-w

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