Browsing by Subject "Sarcoptes scabiei"
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- PublicationRestrictedEvaluation of oxidant/antioxidant balance in Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica) experimentally infested with Sarcoptes scabiei(Elsevier, 2017-08-15) Espinosa, José; Pérez, Jesús M.; López-Olvera, Jorge R.; Ráez-Bravo, Arián; Cano-Manuel, Francisco J.; Fandos, Paulino; Soriguer, Ramón C.; Granados, José Enrique; Romero García, Diego; Ciencias SociosanitariasOxidative stress (OS) is an imbalance between radical-generating and radical scavenging activity, resulting in oxidation products and tissue damage. Although some studies have been done in other species, there is a lack of information about the oxidative/antioxidant status in the Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica) affected by sarcoptic mange. To clarify this fact, albumin, catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), paraoxonase-1 (PON-1), glutathione reductase (GR), reduced glutathione (GSH): oxidized glutathione (GSSG) ratio, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and total oxidant status (TOS) concentrations were measured in peripheral blood of ibexes experimentally infested with Sarcoptes scabiei (n = 25), as well as in the healthy control group (n = 14). During the course of the experiment, the infected ibexes were visually assigned to four categories according to the percentage of skin surface affected by mites. In the infested ibexes, the levels of albumin, PON-1, CAT, SOD, GSH-Px and GSH:GSSG ratio showed a significant (p < 0.01) decrease with disease progression. With respect to the control group, this decrease was significantly (p < 0.001) lower in the more severe clinical stages. No significant changes were observed in GR activity during disease or with respect to the control group. Conversely, the concentrations of TOS and TBARS increased with lesion severity, and with respect to the control group, this increase was significant (p < 0.01) in the more advanced stages of the infection. Additionally, to explore the possible effects of sex, age, haplotype, mange status, and days post infection (dpi) on each of the OS biomarkers, generalized additive mixed models were applied. According to our results, the mange status and dpi explained the highest percentages in the observed changes in the biomarkers analyzed, whereas the haplotype only influenced the observed variability of albumin and TOS. The contribution of sex and age was not significant in any of the OS biomarkers. From the present study, it may be concluded that sarcoptic mange infestation increases OS and decreases antioxidant status in ibex. This imbalance may contribute to the pathogenesis of this disease.
- PublicationRestrictedEvaluation of the prevalence of sarcoptic mange in slaughtered fattening pigs in southeastern Spain(Elsevier, 1998-04-15) Alonso de Vega, Francisco; Mendez de Vigo, J.; Ortiz Sánchez, Juana; Martínez-Carrasco Pleite, Carlos; Albaladejo Serrano, Antonio; Ruiz de Ybáñez Carnero, María del Rocío; Sanidad AnimalIn this study the prevalence of sarcoptic mange in fattening pigs in Murcia, southeastern Spain was investigated. Results showed that 37% of the 1318 slaughtered pigs examined were positive for Sarcoptes scabiei var. suis. Skin lesions potentially attributable to this mite were present in 92.80% of animals, but the parasite could be detected in only 38.60% of them. The condition of the ear cleanrdirty. was not a defining characteristic for the diagnosis of this swine disease. A sucrose flotation–concentration technique was more effective than direct microscopy in finding the mite in ear scrapings
- PublicationRestrictedExperimental ivermectin treatment of sarcoptic mange and establishment of a mange-free population of spanish ibex(Wildlife Disease Association, 2001-10) León Vizcaíno, Luis; Cubero, M. José; González Capitel, Emilio; Simón, Miguel Ángel; Pérez, Linarejos; Ruiz de Ybáñez Carnero, María del Rocío; Ortiz Sánchez, Juana; González Candela, Mónica; Alonso de Vega, Francisco; Sanidad AnimalIvermectin was used to treat sarcoptic mange in Spanish ibex (Capra pyrenaica hispanica). Its therapeutic effectiveness was analyzed when it was administered through subcutaneous injection, to sick animals in the consolidation stage of mange (third phase) and, with double injections to chronically affected animals (fourth phase) at a dosage of 0.2 or 0.4 mg/kg body weight (bw). Three wk after treatment, the animals in the third phase of mange treated with a high dose (0.4 mg/kg bw) of ivermectin were completely cured. The same result was achieved after 4 wk of treatment in those animals in phase 3 of mange when 0.2 mg/kg body weight was used. Double injection with ivermectin, even at high doses, did not guarantee the complete cure of all cases of sarcoptic mange in the chronic stage (phase 4); only three of six animals were free of Sarcoptes scabiei. The second experiment consisted on the application of a sanitation program in order to obtain a population of Spanish ibex free from S. scabiei, starting with free-ranging animals, some of them healthy and others sick. After capture the animals were classified as chronically ill, in which case they were excluded from the program, mite carriers and healthy specimens. All the animals were treated first topically with foxim (500 mg/l) and subcutaneously with ivermectin (0.4 mg/kg bw). The infected animals were housed in the treatment pen, and received two doses of ivermectin (0.2 mg/kg bw) at an interval of 15 days, then spent 15 days in the quarantine pen, where they received a further dose before they were included in the pool of healthy animals, and immediately were placed in the quarantine phase. The sanitation we implemented was fully effective in curing the affliction of Spanish ibex affected by S. scabiei
- PublicationRestrictedIs Sarcoptes scabiei infection in pigs a major welfare concern? A quantitative assessment of its effect in the host’s nocturnal rubbing and lying behavior(Elsevier, 2014-10-31) Ruiz de Ybáñez Carnero, María del Rocío; Martínez Carrasco-Pleite, Carlos; Sáez-Acosta, Aída; Ramis, Guillermo; Torrecillas, Alejandro; Alonso de Vega, Francisco; Casais, Rosa; Prieto, José Manuel; Berriatua, Eduardo; Goyena Salgado, Elena; Sanidad AnimalThe nocturnal rubbing and lying behavior of commercial fattening pigs from moderately (M) and heavily (H) Sarcoptes scabieieinfected farms was investigated. The study included 4 cohorts (2 per farm) of 11-15 acaricide-treated (uninfected) and untreated (infected) 4- to 7-month-old pigs, and the time and number of behavioral bouts were monitored for 350 hours over 101 days. Auricular mites, dermatitis, and plasma histamine concentration were investigated postmortem at the age of 7 months, and histamine concentration was also analyzed at the age of 3 months in 3 cohorts. The percentage of pigs with mites was 27% and 79% in untreated farmM and H cohorts and 0%in treated pigs. Erythematous hypersensitive dermatitiswas observed in both treated and untreated animals; however, histamine levels were much greater in untreated compared with treated pigs and increased with time in the former group. Rubbing was significantly increased in untreated compared with treated pigs, but it was generally low and with small variations over time. The mean rubbing time per 210 minutes (1 day sample) was 0.00-0.79 and 0.00-0.65 minutes in untreated pigs in farms M and H, respectively, and 0.00-0.15 and 0.00-0.03 minutes in treated pigs in farms M and H, respectively. The mean lying time and number of events of standing up were similar for treated and untreated pigs, and differences between farm cohorts were not associated to S. scabiei infection. Moreover, the average pig’s lifelong weight gain also appeared to be independent of infection. The small effect of S. scabiei on pig behavior and growth contrastswith the much greater effect that the nonburrowingmite Psoroptes ovishas been reported to have in a comparable study in sheep (Berriatua et al., 2001). The reasons for this outcome are unclear and could be related to differences between studies in the time when behavior was monitored in relation to initial infection, with pigs investigated at a later stage compared to sheep. Study results question the parasite’s effect on pig welfare and have important implications in swine management. Moreover, differenc
- PublicationRestrictedOn the aggregated nature of chronic Sarcoptes scabiei infection in adult pigs(Elsevier, 2012-10-17) Ruiz de Ybáñez Carnero, María del Rocío; Martínez Carrasco-Pleite, Carlos; Balseiro, A.; Alonso de Vega, Francisco; Casais, Rosa; Prieto, M.; García-Marín, J.F.; Berriatua Fernández de Larrea, Eduardo; Goyena Salgado, Elena; Sanidad AnimalThe prevalence and body distribution of Sarcoptes scabiei and associated dermatitis was investigated in sows and boars from four herds with long standing mange. Macroscopic hyperkeratotic dermatitis (crusted mange) was present in 1–6% of herd sows. Mite estimated prevalence (95% CI) in ear scrapings was 11% (6–17%) including 100% (13/13) and 2% (3/134) in sows with and without crusted mange, respectively, and the later had very few mites compared to the former. S. scabiei body distribution and dermatitis were further investigated in 59–64 skin scrapings/sow taken post-mortem from four culled sows including two (sows 1 and 2) with and two (sows 3 and 4) without crusted mange. The proportion of skin samples with eggs, instars or adults was 59% in sow 1, 84% in sow 2, 0% in sow 3 and 3% in sow 4. S. scabiei distribution in sows 1 and 2 ranged from being present in all skin ear and head samples to absent in those from the inner side of the limbs and mammary glands. Crusted lesions were observed in the skin of the ears, neck and lower limbs and contained the largest mite populations. Histopathological analysis of skin samples identified mites, inflammatory cellular infiltrate (mainly lymphocytes, neutrophils and eosinophils) and hyperkeratosis, acanthosis and spongiosis in 78%, 54%, 20% and 25% of samples from sows 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively, being lesion severity positively associated to mite presence. The study provides further evidence that in herds with long-standing exposure to S. scabiei, infection becomes highly overdispersed with large mite populations present only in a few pigs and in specific body areas. Although the reasons for mite aggregation have not been identified, it is important controlwise because treating or eliminating a few and easy to identify heavily infected adult pigs, should markedly decrease the herd’s parasite load and reduce the use of acaridal drugs.
- PublicationRestrictedSarcoptes scabiei alters follicular dynamics in female Iberian ibex through a reduction in body weight(Elsevier, 2017-08-30) Espinosa, José; Granados, José E.; Cano-Manuel, Francisco J.; López-Olvera, Jorge R.; Ráez-Bravo, Arián; Soriguer, Ramón C.; Pérez, Jesús M.; Fandos, Paulino; Romero García, Diego; Ciencias SociosanitariasNormal development of the ovarian cycle is a key factor in ensuring female reproductive success. Sarcoptes scabiei has been shown to induce changes in host physiology, although the effects of this mite on the female reproductive cycle are still unknown. In an attempt to clarify this issue, the number of ovarian structures (primary follicles, secondary follicles, Graaf follicles, corpus luteum and corpus albicans) in female Iberian ibex( Capra pyrenaica) affected by sarcoptic mange was explored by histological analysis of samples taken from 102 females selectively harvested in the Sierra Nevada Natural Space, southern Spain. The effect of mange status, body weight (corrected for age), age and year of sampling on the number of ovarian structures was assessed using generalized linear models. Our results provide evidence that sarcoptic mange alters follicular dynamics through a reduction in host body weight, whose main consequences are noted in follicular maturation and ovulatory capacity
- PublicationRestrictedSarcoptic mange in Spanish ibex from Spain(Wildlife Disease Association, 1999) León-Vizcaíno, Luis; Ruiz de Ybáñez Carnero, María del Rocío; Cubero, Maria J.; Ortiz, Juana M.; Espinosa, Javier; Pérez, Linarejos; Simón, Miguel A.; Alonso, Francisco; Sanidad AnimalThe Spanish ibex (Capra pyrenaica hispanica) population of the ‘‘Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas’’ Nature Park (Spain) was isolated as the result of a severe epidemic of sarcoptic mange. In this context, the dynamic haracteristics of the disease were analyzed in a wild group consisting of 35 animals from the beginning of the epizootic (when the mating period started) to the extinction of the population due to mange. Monthly tracking permitted the sequential characterization of the pathology in each animal. The duration of the disease was 2 to mo, evolving to severe disease and terminating in death. Incidence and prevalence rates in terms of morbidity and severity, and mortality and lethality were calculated. At the end of the mating season, 81% of the population were affected. There were no statistically significant dif ferences in severity of the disease across sex or age categories of the animals. Most of the carcasses were found in caves used as refuge and/or near rivers or streams. Additionally, 46 of the 63 (73%) ibex captured in different areas of the nature park were naturally infected with the Sarcoptes scabiei. Infected ibex were examined for number of mites during the initial stage of the disease (n 5 3), in the development stage (n 5 12), in the consolidation stage (n 5 17), and in the chronic stage (n 5 14). The prevalence of mites in different anatomical regions was determined in each of these phases of the infection. A histological study of the skin lesions was conducted in 22 animals. Both the clinical and the pathological (macroscopic and icroscopic) aspects of the sarcoptic mange in Spanish ibex corresponded to the classic description of sarcoptic mange in other wild and domestic small ruminants.
- PublicationOpen AccessSarcoptic mange in wild ruminants in Spain: solving the epidemiological enigma using microsatellite markers(BMC Springer Nature, 2021-03-20) Moroni, B.; Angelone, S.; Perez, J.M.; Molinar Min, A. R.; Pasquetti, M.; Tizzani, P.; Lopez-Olvera, J. R.; Valldeperes, M.; Granados, J. E.; Lavin, S.; Mentaberre, G.; Camacho-Sillero, L.; Martinez-Carrasco, C.; Oleaga, A.; Candela, M. G.; Meneguz, P. G.; Rossi, L.; Sanidad Animal; Department of Veterinary Science, University of Turin, Largo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy; Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Department of Animal and Plant Biology, and Ecology, University of Jaén, Campus Las Lagunillas, Jaén, Spain.; Wildlife Ecology & Health Group (WE&H), and Departament de Medicina I Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.; Wildlife Ecology & Health Group (WE&H), and Parque Nacional Y Parque Natural Sierra Nevada, Granada, Spain; Wildlife Ecology & Health Group (WE&H), and Departament de Ciència Animal, Escola Tècnica Superior D’Enginyeria Agraria, Universitat de Lleida, Lleida, Spain; Programa Vigilancia Epidemiológica Fauna Silvestre, Consejería Agricultura, Ganadería, Pesca y Desarrollo Sostenible, Junta de Andalucía, Málaga, Spain.; S.E.R.P.A., Sociedad de Servicios del Principado de Asturias S.A., Gijón, SpainBackground: In Spain, sarcoptic mange was first described in native wildlife in 1987 in Cazorla Natural Park, causing the death of nearly 95% of the local native population of Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica). Since then, additional outbreaks have been identified in several populations of ibex and other wild ungulate species throughout the country. Although the first epizootic outbreak in wildlife was attributed to the introduction of an infected herd of domestic goats, the origin and the cause of its persistence remain unclear. The main aims of this study are to understand (i) the number of Sarcoptes scabiei “strains” circulating in wild ruminant populations in Spain, and (ii) the molecular epidemiological relationships between S. scabiei and its hosts. Methods: Ten Sarcoptes microsatellite markers were used to characterize the genetic structure of 266 mites obtained from skin scrapings of 121 mangy wild ruminants between 2011 and 2019 from 11 areas in Spain. Results: Seventy-three different alleles and 37 private alleles were detected. The results of this study show the existence of three genetic strains of S. scabiei in the wild ruminant populations investigated. While two genetic clusters of S. scabiei were host- and geography-related, one cluster included multi-host mites deriving from geographically distant populations. Conclusions: The molecular epidemiological study of S. scabiei in wild ruminants in Spain indicates that the spreading and persistence of the parasite may be conditioned by host species community composition and the permissiveness of each host population/community to the circulation of individual “strains,” among other factors. Wildlife–livestock interactions and the role of human-driven introduction or trade of wild and domestic animals should be better investigated to prevent further spread of sarcoptic mange in as yet unaffected natural areas of the Iberian Peninsula.
- PublicationRestrictedSpatio-temporal patterns of sarcoptic mange in red deer and Iberian ibex in a multi-host natural park(Elsevier Ltd., 2019-11-27) Iacopelli, F.; Fanelli, A.; Tizzani, P.; Berriatua, E.; Prieto, P.; Martinez-Carrasco, C.; León-Vizcaíno, L.; Rossi, L.; Candela, M. G.; Sanidad Animal; Management of Environment and Forests, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Bari, 70100 Bari, Italy; Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, 10090 Grugliasco, ItalyThe reliance on multiple hosts to survive is what makes the management and control of multi-host infectious agents challenging. Sarcoptes scabiei causes sarcoptic mange in a wide range of mammal species with ungulates being an important host. Little is known about the role different ungulates play in sustaining endemic transmission of the disease and no study has yet to describe the long-term multi-host sarcoptic infestation dynamics in free-ranging wildlife. Here, we explore 24 years of sarcoptic mange infestation data for two Mediterranean ungulate species, red deer and Iberian ibex, living in the Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park of southern Spain. The temporal analysis showed a clear seasonal pattern of infestation in both ungulates with a peak in early spring and a decline throughout the summer. The spatial analysis, however, showed that caprinae rather than cervidae is the most competent host for sarcoptic mange spreading and persistence. Considering that few studies have described the spatio-temporal pattern of mange outbreaks for long periods of time, the information reported in this work aims to improve our understanding of sarcoptic mange epizootic in wild ruminant populations.
- PublicationOpen AccessUnderstanding potential implications for non-trophic parasite transmission based on vertebrate behavior at mesocarnivore carcass sites(Springer, 2021-06-26) Gonzálvez Juan, Moisés; Martínez-Carrasco Pleite, Carlos; Moleón Paiz, Marcos; Sanidad Animal; Facultades de la UMU::Facultad de VeterinariaHigh infection risk is often associated with aggregations of animals around attractive resources. Here, we explore the behavior of potential hosts of non-trophically transmitted parasites at mesocarnivore carcass sites. We used videos recorded by camera traps at 56 red fox (Vulpes vulpes) carcasses and 10 carcasses of other wild carnivore species in three areas of southeastern Spain. Scavenging species, especially wild canids, mustelids and viverrids, showed more frequent rubbing behavior at carcass sites than non-scavenging and domestic species, suggesting that they could be exposed to a higher potential infection risk. The red fox was the species that most frequently contacted carcasses and marked and rubbed carcass sites. Foxes contacted heterospecific carcasses more frequently and earlier than conspecific ones and, when close contact occurred, it was more likely to be observed at heterospecific carcasses. This suggests that foxes avoid contact with the type of carcass and time period that have the greatest risk as a source of parasites. Overall, non-trophic behaviors of higher infection risk were mainly associated with visitor-carcass contact and visitor contact with feces and urine, rather than direct contact between visitors. Moreover, contact events between scavengers and carnivore carcasses were far more frequent than consumption events, which suggests that scavenger behavior is more constrained by the risk of acquiring meat-borne parasites than non-trophically transmitted parasites. This study contributes to filling key gaps in understanding the role of carrion in the landscape of disgust, which may be especially relevant in the current global context of emerging and re-emerging pathogens.
- PublicationRestrictedVariable performance of a human derived Sarcoptes scabiei recombinant antigen ELISA in swine mange diagnosis(Elsevier, 2013-10-18) Casais, Rosa; Martínez-Carrasco Pleite, Carlos; Ruiz de Ybáñez Carnero, María del Rocío; Alonso de Vega, Francisco; Ramis, Guillermo; Prieto, J.M.; Berriatua Fernández de Larrea, Eduardo; Goyena Salgado, Elena; Sanidad AnimalThe performance of an indirect ELISA test based on Sarcoptes scabiei var hominis recombinant antigen Ss 20 B3 (rec-ELISA), to diagnose pig mange was investigated in 15 experimentally infected and non-infected pigs and 692 commercial pigs from 16 herds in southeast Spain. These latter animals included 6–7 month old fatteners (13 herds), 11–12 month old replacement sows (1 herd) and ≥24 month old breeding sows (7 herds). All pigs were examined for mites in ear skin scrapings and the presence of S. scabiei-associated macroscopic dermatitis; moreover, fatteners were also tested for antibodies against porcine viruses including: Aujeszky disease virus (ADV), swine influenza virus (SIV), type 2 porcine circovirus (PCV2) and porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus (PRRSV). S. scabiei and chronic hyperkeratotic dermatitis were detected in breeding sows from 6 herds. Mite prevalence in other pigs was 83% in replacement sows, 0% in 7 fattener’s herds and 3–82% in other fattener’s herds. All fattener herds had pigs with acute hypersensitivity dermatitis and the percentage of affected pigs and lesion area was significantly greater in S. scabiei infected ones. Rec-ELISA relative optical densities (RODs) were greater in older than in young pigs, as well as in infected compared to non-infected pigs. However, RODs differed significantly between infected individuals, regardless of age and origin (commercial or experimental) and the herd prevalence of S. scabiei. Low repeatability between ELISA microtiter plates, suggesting variable specific antibody binding to antigen, are likely partly responsible for ROD variation. Other potential causes of variation were examined in fatteners using random effects logistic regression analysis, after defining a seropositivity threshold value with receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) analysis. The logistic model indicated that seropositivity was associated with large dermatitis areas and with the only herd with low PCV2 seroprevalence. Pigs with more extensive dermatitis may have older infections and more rec-ELISA detectable antibodies. The possibility that PCV2, a recognized immunosupressor, depresses antibody production against S. scabiei infection merits further attention. In summary, results indicate some potential of the studied rec-ELISA as a complementary tool for herd-level swine mange diagnosis, and that work to reduce internal and external sources of assay variation is essential.