Dermanyssus gallinae | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
Class: | Arachnida |
Order: | Mesostigmata |
Family: | Dermanyssidae |
Genus: | Dermanyssus |
Species: | D. gallinae |
Binomial name | |
Dermanyssus gallinae (De Geer, 1778) | |
Dermanyssus gallinae | |
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Other names | Red mite, bird mite, poultry mite, red poultry mite, roost mite, chicken mite, pigeon mite |
Female Dermanyssus gallinae with "stiletto-shaped mandibles" | |
Specialty | Veterinary medicine, infectious disease |
Dermanyssus gallinae (also known as the red mite) is a haematophagous ectoparasite of poultry. It has been implicated as a vector of several major pathogenic diseases. [1] [2] Despite its common names, it has a wide range of hosts including several species of wild birds and mammals, including humans, where the condition it causes is called gamasoidosis. [3] [4] In both size and appearance, it resembles the northern fowl mite, Ornithonyssus sylviarum. [5]
Dermanyssus gallinae is an obligate blood feeder that will normally attack its host at night, [6] but will occasionally feed during the day. [7] Adults are 0.75–1 mm (0.030–0.039 in) long, with long legs and usually a grayish-white body, which becomes reddish-brown when engorged. [8] After feeding, they hide in cracks and crevices away from light sources, where they mate and lay eggs. [6] Mites progress through five life stages: egg, larva, protonymph, deutonymph and adult. [9] Under favourable conditions this life cycle can be completed within seven days, so populations can grow rapidly, causing anaemia in badly affected flocks of poultry. [10] Young birds are most susceptible. The mites can also affect the health of the birds indirectly, as they may serve as vectors for diseases such as Salmonellosis, avian spirochaetosis and Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae . [11] [2] D. gallinae can survive for up to 10 months in an empty hen house. Temperatures greater than 45 °C (113 °F) and less than −20 °C (−4 °F), have been found to be lethal. [12]
The mites normally feed around the breast and legs of hens, causing pain, irritation, and a decrease in egg production. Pustules, scabs, hyperpigmentation and feather loss may develop.
If they are present in large numbers, D. gallinae can cause anemia in hens [10] which presents as pallor of the comb and wattle.
A presumptive diagnosis can be made in flocks of laying hens, usually based on a history of decreasing egg production, anaemia and mortalities in young or ill birds. Blood spots on eggs indicate infestation within the cloaca of an affected hen. Definitive diagnosis is only achieved following identification of eggs, feces or the mites themselves.
There are several methods for preventing infestation in hen houses including:
Ectoparasiticides can be used to treat affected poultry, these chemical controls, if used, should be used in rotation to avoid the buildup of resistance. [14] Organophosphates, [15] carbamates, [15] and pyrethroids [15] [3] are widely used. The first case of pyrethroid resistance was reported by Beugnet et al 1997 [3] and new cases continue to be reported as of 2020 [update] by Katsavou et al 2020. [15] The insecticide spinosad is effective against mites resistant to the veteran acaricides and can even be used on premises in the presence of the laying hens. [16] A novel product, Exzolt was introduced in the EU in 2017, [17] it contains fluralaner, an isoxazoline, and is highly effective against D. gallinae, included those resistant to old acaricides. It is approved for oral administration mixed with the drinking water and has a systemic mode of action, i.e. it acts through the blood of the treated birds. [17] The macrocyclic lactones eprinomectin, moxidectin or ivermectin have been shown to impact mite reproduction and blood-meal digestion in one study, [18] though other studies found ivermectin to be ineffective except at doses "unfavourably close to those causing toxicity". [19]
Predatory mites such as Androlaelaps casalis and Hypoaspis miles can be used to control D. gallinae populations. [20]
Exposing mites to carbon dioxide using dry ice and direct-spraying has been proposed as a novel treatment. [21]
Vaccines are currently under active development for the treatment of poultry, which seek to "stimulate a protective response" in the birds and increase D. gallinae mortality. [22]
Some plant essential oil products can act as repellents. [3] [15] Birkett et al 2011 and George et al 2009 identify particular plants whose EOs successfully repel D. gallinae. [3] [15]
In humans, D. gallinae infestations are known as gamasoidosis or dermanyssosis. [23] The mites are capable of digesting [24] and reproducing entirely on human blood, so infestations can be persistent. [4] Due to the nocturnal feeding habits of D. gallinae, infested people may experience itching and notice bites when they wake up in the morning. [25] The severity of symptoms vary, with dermatitis, [26] pruritus and papular urticaria being common. [23]
Prevention of infestation in human habitation consists of eliminating potential vectors such as destroying pigeon and sparrow nests [27] and treating infested backyard poultry. [28]
Elimination of an infestation in a human habitation is best achieved through a combination of eliminating potential vectors (nesting pigeons, backyard poultry, etc.); reducing potential hiding places (rugs, clutter); judicious use of pesticides; consistent use of dehumidifiers to maintain a low humidity environment; maintaining a low temperature in the environment; frequent thorough cleaning; minimizing the amount of time spent in the home; and maintaining excellent hygiene. [29] [30]
Dermanyssus gallinae will also feed on mammals, including cats, dogs, rodents, rabbits, horses. [4] Infestation by D. gallinae is rare in cats and dogs; usually the extremities and the back are bitten, causing itching. [31]
The chicken is a large and round short-winged bird, domesticated from the red junglefowl of Southeast Asia around 8,000 years ago. Most chickens are raised for food, providing meat and eggs; others are kept as pets or for cockfighting.
The rock dove, rock pigeon, or common pigeon is a member of the bird family Columbidae. In common usage, it is often simply referred to as the "pigeon", although this is the wild form of the bird; the pigeons most familiar to people are the domesticated form of the wild rock dove.
Poultry diseases occur in poultry, which are domesticated birds kept for their meat, eggs or feathers. Poultry species include the chicken, turkey, duck, goose and ostrich.
Acariasis is an infestation with mites.
Menoponidae is a monophyletic family of lice in the superfamily of chewing lice, Amblycera, often referred to as the chicken body louse family. They are ectoparasites of a wide range of birds including chickens, which makes them important to understand for veterinary science and for human health. However, Menoponidae are not exclusive to poultry and are common parasites for migratory birds, with more and more species being discovered every year.
Stomoxys calcitrans is commonly called the stable fly, barn fly, biting house fly, dog fly, or power mower fly. Unlike most members of the family Muscidae, Stomoxys calcitrans and others of its genus suck blood from mammals. Now found worldwide, the species is considered to be of Eurasian origin.
Mesostigmata is an order of mites belonging to the Parasitiformes. They are by far the largest group of Parasitiformes, with over 8,000 species in 130 families. Mesostigmata includes parasitic as well as free-living and predatory forms. They can be recognized by the single pair of spiracles positioned laterally on the body.
Gamasoidosis, also known as dermanyssosis, is a frequently unrecognized form of zoonotic dermatitis, following human infestation with avian mites of the genera Dermanyssus or Ornithonyssus. It is characterized by pruritic erythematous papules, macules and urticaria, with itching and irritation resulting from the saliva the mites secrete while feeding. These bites are observed all over the body. The avian mite Dermanyssus gallinae can also infest various parts of the body, including the ear canal and scalp.
Echidnophaga gallinacea, also known as the hen flea or sticktight flea, is part of the 2,500 known flea types in the Siphonaptera order. Echidnophaga gallinacea appear dark brown in colour and is a small flea measuring approximately 2 millimetres in length, which is half the size of the common cat flea. Echidnophaga gallinacea also differ in anatomy compared to the cat flea due to lacking genal and pronotal combs known as ctenidia. Echidnophaga gallinacea like all fleas, have powerful hind legs which allow the flea to jump great distances compared to its size.
Raillietina echinobothrida is a parasitic tapeworm belonging to the class Cestoda. It is the most prevalent and pathogenic helminth parasite in birds, particularly in domestic fowl, Gallus domesticus Linnaeus, 1758. It requires two hosts, birds and ants, for completion of its life cycle. It is a hermaphrodite worm having both the male and female reproductive organs in its body. The parasite is responsible for 'nodular tapeworm disease' in poultry.
Pyemotes tritici is a species of mite known as the grain itch mite or straw itch mite. It is a cosmopolitan species that is found on straw, hay and stored grain. It is a parasite of small arthropods and is being investigated as a possible biological control of stored product pests. It is associated with dermatitis in humans, and it causes an itchy rash.
Dermanyssus is a genus of mites in the family Dermanyssidae. The etymology of the word Dermanyssus is from the Greek: derma, meaning skin, and nyssein, meaning bite.
Dermanyssoidea is a superfamily of mites, including most of the mites which parasitise vertebrates.
Androlaelaps casalis, formerly known as Haemolaelaps casalis, is a species of predatory mite that feeds on other mites and small invertebrates. It cannot bite or sting birds and humans because its mandibles are not designed for sucking but for predation on other mites. Because Androlaelaps casalis mites feed off parasitic mites like Dermanyssus gallinae, individuals with red colored abdomens can be found. This is not due to any blood-sucking by A. casalis but is because it has ingested blood-engorged parasitic mites. There is some evidence that it may be associated with dermatitis in humans.
Ornithonyssus sylviarum is a haematophagous ectoparasite of poultry. In both size and appearance, it resembles the red mite, Dermanyssus gallinae. They primarily infect egg laying chickens. They contribute to economic damage and feed on their host's blood which leads to lowering the egg production and feed conversion efficiency. Anemia or death can be an effect of a high amount of infestation within the birds. While they mainly do target wild birds they can also become permanent ectoparasites in the domestic poultry. The main nesting sites are generally in a close proximity to poultry coops.
Lankesterella is a genus in the phylum Apicomplexa. Species in this genus infect amphibians, reptiles and birds.
Mites that infest and parasitize domestic animals cause disease and loss of production. Mites are small invertebrates, most of which are free living but some are parasitic. Mites are similar to ticks and both comprise the order Acari in the phylum Arthropoda. Mites are highly varied and their classification is complex; a simple grouping is used in this introductory article. Vernacular terms to describe diseases caused by mites include scab, mange, and scabies. Mites and ticks have substantially different biology from, and are classed separately from, insects. Mites of domestic animals cause important types of skin disease, and some mites infest other organs. Diagnosis of mite infestations can be difficult because of the small size of most mites, but understanding how mites are adapted to feed within the structure of the skin is useful.
Mites are small crawling animals related to ticks and spiders. Most mites are free-living and harmless. Other mites are parasitic, and those that infest livestock animals cause many diseases that are widespread, reduce production and profit for farmers, and are expensive to control.
Fluralaner, (INN) sold under the brand name Bravecto among others, is a systemic insecticide and acaricide that is administered orally or topically. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it for flea treatment in dogs in May 2014, and approved the combination fluralaner/moxidectin as a topical treatment for cats in November 2019. The EU approved fluralaner in March 2014. Australia approved it for the treatment and prevention of ticks and fleas on dogs in January 2015. For treating mites in chickens, a solution for use in drinking water is available under the brand name Exzolt and was approved for use in the EU in 2017.
Rodent mite dermatitis is an often unrecognized ectoparasitosis occurring after human contact with haematophagous mesostigmatid mites that infest rodents, such as house mice, rats and hamsters. The condition is associated with the tropical rat mite, spiny rat mite and house mouse mite which opportunistically feed on humans. Rodent mites are capable of surviving for long periods without feeding and travelling long distances when seeking hosts. Cases have been reported in homes, libraries, hospitals and care homes. A similar condition, known as gamasoidosis, is caused by avian mites.
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