Incidence of sarcoptic mange in buffaloes in India

Summary The incidence of sarcoptic mange in buffaloes with respect to age, sex, relative humidity and temperature was studied at veterinary clinics and breeding farms in Hisar, India. The disease is more common in animals below the age of one year (19·57%) and decreases with the advancement of age i.e. 3·4% at one to five years and 5·3% in the over five years group. Sex has no bearing on the incidence of the disease. Since female buffalo calves get more attention at the hands of small farmers they are presented more frequently at the veterinary clinics. Fluctuations in environmental temperature affect the incidence of the disease. However, relative humidity showed no correlation. Seasonal incidence at the organised farms was erratic due to the ad hoc treatment to control mange. There is an indication that the winter season is most conducive for the spread of the disease (51·0%), followed by postmonsoon (41·3%), summer (23·1%) and rainy season (11·1%).

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Resumen Se estudió la incidencia de sarna sarcóptica en búfalos con respecto a edad, sexo, humedad relativa y temperatura, en clínicas veterinarias y fincas. El estudio tuvo lugar en Hissar, India. La enfermedad es más comun en animales por debajo del a?o de edad (19·57%) y disminuye con la edad e.j. 3·4% de uno cinco a?os y 5·3% en el grupo por encima de cinco a?os. El sexo no tuvo importancia en la presentación de la enfermedad. Debido a que las hembras son mejor cuidadas, estas son llevadas con más frecuencia a la clínica veterinaria. Las fluctuaciones en temperatura ambiental afecta la incidencia de la enfermedad. Sin embargo, la humedad relativa no tuvo correlación. La estación del a?o no pudo evaluarse correctamente, debido a los tratamientos indiscriminados contra sarna. Sin embargo, parece que el invierno ayuda a la diseminación de la enfermedad (51·0%), seguido de la estación post monsónica (41·3%), verano (23·1%) y de la estación lluviosa (11·1%).

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Résumé On a étudié dans les cliniques vétérinaires et les fermes d’élevage de l’état d’Hisar en Inde, l’incidence de la gale sarcoptique des buffles en fonction de l’age, du sexe, de l’humidité relative et de la température. La maladie est plus fréquente (19,57 p. 100) chez les animaux de moins d’un an; elle décro?t avec l’age: 3,4 p. 100 de 1 à 5 ans et 5,3 p. 100 dans le groupe agé de plus de 5 ans. Le sexe n’a pas d’influence. Etant donné que les jeunes bufflesses recoivent plus d’attentions de la part des petits propriétaires, ce sont elles qui sont plus volontiers présentées aux cliniques vétérinaires. Les fluctuations de la température ambinate ont une influence sur l’incidence de la maladie. Cependant, il n’y a pas de corrélation avec l’humidité relative. L’incidence saisonnière dans les fermes organisées est négligeable par suite des traitements prophylactiques ad hoc. Il y a quelques indications montrant que l’hiver est plus favorable à la transmission de la maladie (51,0 p. 100), suivi de la saison d’après la mousson (41,3 p. 100), l’été (23,1 p. 100) et la saison des pluies (11,1 p. 100).

     

Evaluation of organ function and oxidant/antioxidant status in goats with sarcoptic mange

The objective of the present study was to investigate the hemato-biochemical changes and status of oxidative stress in goats with scabies infection. The study was conducted on 12 Jamunapari goats; six clinically infected with scabies (group I) and six healthy goats as control (group II). The examination of skin scraping revealed the presence of Sarcoptes scabiei in the infected group. In hemato-biochemical indicators, hemoglobin%, packed cell volume, total erythrocyte count, albumin and albumin: globulin ratio decreased whereas, globulin, alanine aminotransferase, bilirubin, creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen increased significantly (p < 0.05) in group I animals as compared to group II healthy goats. Among the oxidative stress indices, plasma nitrate and erythrocytic lipid peroxidation were increased and reduced glutathione levels decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in group I goats as compared to group II healthy goats. The results of the present study suggest that scabies infection alters the hemato-biochemical indicators, increases oxidative stress and decreases antioxidant status in goat.     

Udder cleft dermatitis and sarcoptic mange in a dairy herd

OBJECTIVE: To determine prevalence of udder cleft dermatitis in a dairy herd that was experiencing an outbreak of sarcoptic mange. DESIGN: Clinical survey. ANIMALS: 1,597 Holstein cows and late-gestation heifers. PROCEDURE: Animals were examined for udder cleft dermatitis and for skin lesions consistent with sarcoptic or chorioptic mange. Skin scrapings were collected from 56 cows and examined for ectoparasites. The herd was revisited 1 year later, and prevalences of udder cleft dermatitis and lesions consistent with mange were determined in 506 cows. RESULTS: Of the 1,597 cattle examined, 280 (18%) had udder cleft dermatitis, and 1,397 (87.5%) had lesions consistent with mange. In 43 of 56 (77%) cows, skin scrapings revealed Sarcoptes mites. Udder cleft dermatitis was significantly more common in older than in younger cows. In first-lactation cows, udder cleft dermatitis was less common during the first 4 months of lactation than in the later stages of lactation, but udder cleft dermatitis was identified in cows in all stages of lactation and in cows that were not lactating. The herd was treated with eprinomectin to control mites, and prevalence of lesions consistent with mange 1 year later was only 2.8%. However, prevalence of udder cleft dermatitis was still 12%. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that cows in any stage of lactation and cows that are not lactating can have udder cleft dermatitis but that lesions are more common in older cows. Control of sarcoptic mange was accompanied by a moderate reduction in the prevalence of udder cleft dermatitis but did not eliminate the condition.     

Liver fluke infection and sarcoptic mange in red foxes in Berlin.]

396 red foxes originating from the city of Berlin were examined for opisthorchiid liver flukes and clinical sarcoptic mange between January 1997 and March 1998. Out of 232 (= 58.6%) foxes positive for opisthorchiid flukes 221 animals harboured Metorchis bilis and 70 were infected with Opisthorchis felineus. Pseudamphistomum truncatum was found only in 8 foxes. M. bilis occurred as mono-infection in 154 animals. M. bilis in combination with O. felineus was found in 61 cases. Pure Opisthorchis infection as well as other fluke combinations were found in a small number of animals only. 85 (= 21.5%) foxes showed clinical sarcoptic mange. Liver fluke positive foxes showed a higher mange prevalence than uninfected animals. However, significant associations between flukes and manage were only found when comparing uninfected foxes with those having the highest worm burden. The association of liver flukes and mange could be established for adult female foxes by a significant Odds Ratio of 4.3.     

Unusual manifestation of a concurrent demodectic and sarcoptic mange in a Zebu-Friesian cross-bred heifer

We describe a rare case of a concurrent demodectic and sarcoptic mange in a 2-year-old heifer in Khartoum, Sudan. The lesions were massive lumps of granulomatous tumour-like dermatitis with thick, nodular folds mainly covering the head, neck and shoulders. Histopathological examination of the lesions revealed the presence of both Demodex bovis and Sarcoptes scabiei. The animal died regardless of the anti-parasitic treatment it received.     

Determination of oxidative status and apoptosis in peripheral blood of dogs with sarcoptic mange

The aim of the present study was to determine the erythrocytic oxidant/antioxidant balance and apoptosis of peripheral blood leukocytes of dogs with natural Sarcoptes scabiei var. canis mite infestation. A total of twenty four clinically Sarcoptes-infested dogs were examined and used to execute the study. While another twenty four healthy dogs free of any ecto-parasite were used as controls. Peripheral blood samples were obtained from each infested only once on the day of dermatological examinations. Determination of oxidant/antioxidant balance was conceded by estimating the levels of lipid peroxides and antioxidants in erythrocytes. While, apoptosis of peripheral blood leukocytes was determined by estimating externalization of phosphatidylserine (PS) at the cell surface as well as by detection of depolarization mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) by flow cytometry. Sarcoptes-infested dogs had revealed significantly higher (P≤0.001) contents of erythrocytic lipid peroxides in comparison with the healthy controls. Whereas the level of reduced glutathione was found to be significantly lower (P≤0.001) in Sarcoptes-infested dogs as compared to the healthy dogs. The activity of glutathione peroxidase was found to be significantly lower (P≤0.001) in Sarcoptes-infested dogs as compared to the healthy dogs. The activity of glutathione-S-transferase was also found to be significantly lower (P≤0.001) in Sarcoptes-infested dogs as compared to the healthy dogs. The dogs with sarcoptic mange had revealed significantly lower (P≤0.001) activity of superoxide dismutase in coparision with the healthy dogs. The dogs with sarcoptic mange had also revealed significantly lower (P≤0.001) activity of catalase in coparision with the healthy dogs. The percentage of apoptotic leukocytes was found to be significantly higher (P≤0.001) in Sarcoptes-infested dogs as compared to the healthy controls. Sarcoptes-infested dogs had also exhibited significantly (P≤0.001) higher percentage of leukocytes with depolarized mitochondrial membrane potential in comparison with the healthy controls. It is concluded that significant alteration in oxidant/antioxidant balance and increased rate of apoptosis in peripheral leukocytes may be implicated in the pathogenesis of clinical Sarcoptes mite infestation in dogs.     

FC-44 The therapeutic effect of selamectin and ivermectin regimens in canine sarcoptic mange

Worldwide, sarcoptic mange in cats is seldom reported, and then only in sporadic individual cases. We describe an epidemic in a household with a dog and 25 cats. From September 2002, the dog was repeatedly treated with ivermectin for sarcoptic mange. The diagnosis was confirmed by skin scrapings. Fifteen months later, cats from the same household were diagnosed with severe sarcoptic mange. Twenty-one of the cats were euthanized and necropsies were performed. Skin samples were taken from all cats from different body sites for histology, and skin scrapings were examined for ectoparasites. Samples for bacterial and dermatophyte culture were taken from six cats. Smears for cytology were made from lesions on four cats with severe mange. Sera from 21 cats and the dog were analysed for specific antibodies to Sarcoptes scabiei . Molecular characterizations of six individual mites were done. Large numbers of S. scabiei were isolated from the infected skin of most of the cats. Two-thirds of the cats showed skin lesions compatible with chronic sarcoptic mange. Macroscopically, internal organs exhibited no obvious pathology. Yeast organisms and coccoid bacteria were found in the smears; penicillinase-negative Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from all samples and Malassezia pachydermatis was identified from four cats. Sarcoptes scabiei was seen histologically in all cats showing chronic skin lesions. No other ectoparasites were found. All analysed cats had specific antibodies against S. scabiei . Twenty-one cats tested negatively for FeLV and FIV. The mites had DNA sequences identical to S. scabiei from naturally infected dogs and Swedish wildlife.
Funding: Self-funded.     

Eradication of sarcoptic mange from a Belgian pig breeding farm with a combination of injectable and in-feed ivermectin

Sarcoptes scabiei var suis was eradicated from a Belgian pig farm by using a combination of injections of ivermectin and ivermectin in the feed. The detection of mites in ear scrapings, and calculations of an average dermatitis score and a scratching index were used to evaluate the mange status of the pigs before and after the treatment. Before the treatment 28 per cent of ear scrapings of finishers were positive for the presence of mites, their average dermatitis score (ADS) was 0.92 and their scratching index was 2.0. There was a significant decrease in all three measurements during the year after the treatment, and one year after treatment, no mites were found in the ear scrapings; the ADS of the finishers was 0.31 and their scratching index was 0.16. Adult animals were negative for the presence of mites at all times, the ADS was below the cut-off level before and after treatment, and the scratching index decreased after treatment There was an economic improvement among the breeding sows and the fattening pigs. The feed consumption of the sows decreased by 5 per cent; rebreeding decreased by 4.55 per cent; average litter size increased by 0.33 live piglets born per litter and the farrowing index increased by 0.075 litters per sow per year. As a result, the production index increased by 1.34 more piglets weaned per sow per year. There was an immediate improvement in feed conversion during the five months after the treatment. The costs of the treatment were recovered within 3.7 months.     

The effect of sarcoptic mange on growth performance, leukocytes and lymphocyte proliferative responses in pigs

The effects of a single artificial infestation with sarcoptic mite (Sarcoptes scabiei var. suis DeGeer) on weight gain and lymphocyte blastogenic responses were studied in untreated and fenvalerate-treated pigs. Average daily feed intake, average daily gain and feed efficiency were monitored for 5 weeks in 32 infested and 16 uninfested pigs. Total and differential leukocyte counts were determined and lymphocyte proliferative responses, using a mitogen-stimulated lymphocyte blastogenesis assay, were evaluated in 24 pigs. Sarcoptic mite infestation or treatment for sarcoptic mange did not affect total or differential leukocyte counts (P greater than 0.10). Differences were not observed in weight gain or lymphocyte blastogenic responses between infested and uninfested pigs.     

Spatial and temporal patterns of sarcoptic mange in wombats using the citizen science tool,WomSAT

There is currently limited information regarding the levels of infection and distribution of sarcoptic mange in the wombat population throughout Australia. We analyzed cases of sarcoptic mange in bare-nosed wombats reported into WomSAT, a website and mobile phone application where citizen scientists can upload sightings of wombats, burrows, and sarcoptic mange status. We used Maxent software to predict locations and the environmental factors associated with sarcoptic mange occurrence in bare-nosed wombats. A total of 1379 sarcoptic mange-infected and 3043 non-sarcoptic mange-infected wombats were reported by 674 and 841 citizen scientists, respectively. Of all the wombats reported to WomSAT from 2015 to 2019, 31.2% were infected with sarcoptic mange. Sarcoptic mange in bare-nosed wombats was reported in 502 suburbs across four states. New South Wales had the highest number of sarcoptic mange cases reported to WomSAT. There was no statistically significant seasonal variation of sarcoptic mange levels in bare-nosed wombats. The model showed that Euclidean distance to urban areas was the highest contributing factor for sarcoptic mange occurrence. As distance to urban areas decreased, the suitability for sarcoptic mange increased. Annual precipitation was the next contributing factor in the model, with higher rainfall of 400–700 mm correlating to an increase in sarcoptic mange occurrence. As the data collected to date have provided the largest-scale contemporary distribution of sarcoptic mange in wombats, data should continue to be collected by citizen scientists as it is an easy and low-cost method of collecting data over large areas. We suggest targeting the identified hotspot areas and more site-specific studies for studying and mitigating sarcoptic mange in bare-nosed wombats.