First description of sarcoptic mange in an Iberian hare (Lepus granatensis)

In Silico Exploration and Experimental Validation of Camellia sinensis Extract against Rhipicephalus microplus and Sarcoptes scabiei: An Integrated Approach

Sarcoptes scabiei is an ectoparasite of humans and animals that causes scabies. The Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus is a blood-sucking ectoparasite that transmits various pathogens. These two parasites have caused great losses to a country's dairy and agriculture sectors. The aim of this study was to determine the in vitro and in silico efficacy of Camellia sinensis plant extracts. Different concentrations of C. sinensis ethanolic plant extracts were prepared using the maceration method and were used against mites and ticks (in adult immersion test AIT and larval packet test LPT) to evaluate their in vitro acaricidal activity. Additionally, in silico molecular docking was performed to investigate the inhibitory interactions between the phytochemicals of the plant and S. scabiei and R. microplus glutathione transferase proteins (SsGST and RmGST). This study observed that the plant extract showed high efficacy in vitro against mites and different tick stages in adult immersion and larval packet tests. Additionally, the in silico study revealed a strong binding interaction between ellagic acid and SsGST protein, with a binding energy of -7.3 kcal/mol, with respect to permethrin (-6.7 kcal/mol), whereas quercetin and RmGST resulted in a docking score of -8.6 kcal/mol compared to deltamethrin (-8.2 kcal/mol). Overall, this study explored the potential of C. sinensis as a natural alternative for controlling tick and mite infestations and provided insights into the inhibitory mechanisms of its phytochemicals.

Integrating In Vitro and In Silico Approaches to Assess Monotheca buxifolia Plant Extract against Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus and Sarcoptes scabiei

Tick and mite infestations pose significant challenges to animal health, agriculture, and public health worldwide. The search for effective and environmentally friendly acaricidal agents has led researchers to explore natural alternatives. In this study, we investigated the acaricidal potential of the Monotheca buxifolia plant extract against Rhipicephalus microplus ticks and Sarcoptes scabiei mites. Additionally, we employed a computational approach to identify phytochemicals from the extract that could serve as drug candidates against these ectoparasites. The contact bioassay results demonstrated that the M. buxifolia plant extract exhibited significant efficacy against R. microplus and S. scabiei, with higher concentrations outperforming the positive control acaricide permethrin in terms of mite mortality. Time exposure to the extract also showed a positive correlation with better lethal concentration (LC50 and LC90) values. Similarly, the adult immersion test revealed a notable inhibition of tick oviposition via the plant extract, especially at higher concentrations. The two-protein primary structure, secondary structure and stability were predicted using the Expasy's ProtParam server, SOPMA and SUSUI server, respectively. Using Homology modeling, the 3D structure of the protein was obtained and validated through the ERRAT server, and active sites were determined through the CASTp server. The docking analysis revealed that Alpha-Amyrenyl acetate and alpha-Tocopherol exhibited the highest docking scores for S. scabiei and R. microplus aspartic protease proteins, respectively. These phytochemicals demonstrated strong binding interactions, suggesting their potential as acaricidal drug candidates. In conclusion, the M. buxifolia plant extract displayed significant acaricidal activity against R. microplus and S. scabiei. Moreover, the computational approach identified promising phytochemicals that could serve as potential drug candidates for controlling these ectoparasites.

The Sarcoptic Mange in Maned Wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus): Mapping an Emerging Disease in the Largest South American Canid

The maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) is the largest South American canid. In Brazil, as in other countries, it is considered an endangered species. Habitat loss, landscape changes, hunting, and roadkill are the main threats to this species. In addition, invasive diseases of domestic animals are considered to be an emerging threat to the maned wolf, where parasitic diseases are relevant. Sarcoptic mange is a skin disease caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei. This disease is currently almost globally distributed, with a remarkable host diversity. In Brazil, reports of sarcoptic mange in wildlife include several species, both wild and captive. However, the impact of this disease on wildlife is unknown. At the time of writing, there is only one published report of sarcoptic mange in maned wolves. This study sheds light on the occurrence of sarcoptic mange in free-ranging maned wolves in their natural range. A total of 52 cases (suspected and confirmed) of sarcoptic mange were identified through social media review, camera trapping, chemical immobilization and sample collection. These cases were distributed in southeastern Brazil, in the states of São Paulo (n = 34), Minas Gerais (n = 17), and Rio de Janeiro (n = 1), demonstrating a rapid and widespread spread of this disease, although it still only occurs in part of the species' range. We expect that these results will help to subsidize future actions relevant to the control of this emerging disease.

Sarcoptic mange in Felidae: does Sarcoptes scabiei var. felis exist? A first molecular study

Domestic and wild felids are considered suitable hosts for the parasitic mite Sarcoptes scabiei, and sarcoptic mange is reported in several felid species in the scientific literature. However, the historic classification of Sarcoptes mites into host-specific varieties does not include S. scabiei var. felis. It is unclear whether sarcoptic mange transmission in felids involves canids, other sympatric species, or exclusively felids. This study aimed to characterize the genetic structure of S. scabiei mites from domestic cats (Felis catus) and Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx carpathicus), comparing them with Sarcoptes mites from sympatric domestic and wild carnivores. Ten Sarcoptes microsatellite markers were used to genotype 81 mites obtained from skin scrapings of 36 carnivores: 4 domestic cats, one dog (Canis lupus familiaris), 4 Eurasian lynx, 23 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), and 4 grey wolves (Canis lupus lupus) from either Italy, Switzerland or France. Two genetic clusters of S. scabiei with a geographical distribution pattern were detected: mites from cats originating from Central Italy clustered with those from sympatric wolves. In contrast, all the other mites from Switzerland, France and Northern Italy clustered together. These results strengthen the previously advanced hypothesis that genetic variants of S. scabiei have a predominant geographic-related distribution with cryptic transmission patterns. These patterns may rely on the interactions between different hosts living in the same ecological niche rather than a simple infection among hosts belonging to the same taxon, reinforcing the idea that the S. scabiei historic classification into "var" might have little ongoing relevance.

Essential Oils against Sarcoptes scabiei

Herbal remedia are widely employed in folk medicine, and have been more and more often studied and considered in the treatment of several infections. Sarcoptic mange (scabies, when referring to human patients) is a highly contagious skin disease caused by Sarcoptes scabiei (sarcoptiformes, Sarcoptinae), an astigmatid mite which burrows into the epidermis, actively penetrating the stratum corneum. This parasitosis negatively affects livestock productions and represents a constraint on animal and human health. The treatment relies on permethrine and ivermectine but, since these molecules do not have ovicidal action, more than a single dose should be administered. Toxicity, the possible onset of parasite resistance, the presence of residues in meat and other animal products and environmental contamination are the major constraints. These shortcomings could be reduced by the use of plant extracts that have been in vitro or in vivo checked against these mites, sometimes with promising results. The aim of the present study was to review the literature dealing with the treatment of both scabies and sarcoptic mange by plant-derived agents, notably essential oils.

Sarcoptic mange is an emerging threat to biodiversity in the Qinling Mountains in China

Sarcoptic mange, a disease caused by the burrowing mite Sarcoptes scabiei, is globally endemic and an emerging threat to wildlife. Although many studies have shown that wildlife diseases play key roles in biodiversity conservation, knowledge about sarcoptic mange is still insufficient. In this study, we aim to improve the understanding of the impacts of sarcoptic mange on wildlife populations, the mechanisms involved in its eco-epidemiology and the associated risks to public and ecosystem health by investigating mass death events in gorals and serows in the Qinling Mountains. We conducted interviews with practitioners and local people in the central Qinling Mountains. From the same locations, we collected 24 cutaneous samples from various animals and surveillance data from infrared cameras. Pathological, parasitological and microbiological examinations of the samples were performed. Mite-induced cutaneous lesions, mites and eggs were observed in samples from dead gorals and one dead serow but not in other species. Molecular analysis confirmed the mites to be S. scabiei and shared the same cox 1 genotype. The data obtained from the interviews and infrared cameras indicated that the death of wildlife was related to sarcoptic mange infection and that there had been a decrease in the goral population since the outbreak of the disease. We confirmed that sarcoptic mange was the major cause of the mass death events and may have spread from the western to eastern Qinling Mountains. Based on our findings, we propose several protection strategies to help preserve biodiversity in the Qinling Mountains.

Sarcoptic mange outbreaks in vicuñas (Cetartiodactyla: Camelidae): A scoping review and future prospects

Sarcoptic mange is considered an emerging disease-causing countless epizootics and significantly affecting wild mammals worldwide. The vicuña (Vicugna vicugna) is a medium-sized South American wild camelid inhabiting Andean ecosystems, where several populations are live-sheared by Andean peasant communities as a way of providing an economic income to the people while promoting vicuña conservation. Institutions and scientists have shown concern for the impact and extent of sarcoptic mange in several vicuña populations across their range, as well as the lack of consistent knowledge about this disease in the species. Here, we perform a review about sarcoptic mange distribution throughout the vicuña's native range, evidence of effects of age and sex, the modes of transmission and the veterinary treatments employed. The review retrieved a few scientific papers, but found several reports and academic studies mostly considered as 'grey literature'. Mange was recorded across the entire native vicuña range (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Peru). Mange prevalence varied across vicuña studies (up to 60% prevalence in some populations) and severely affected a number of populations, being an important source of mortality. Mange was reported as more frequent in adults than in offspring. The modes of mange transmission remain unclear, although direct transmission between infected and healthy animals seems to be the most likely, including the transmission between domestic camelids and vicuñas. Regarding the treatments employed, ivermectin was the most frequently used. We further identified several gaps in knowledge and point to future research lines, which seek to promote both species conservation and the maintenance of live-shearing vicuñas under sustainable approaches in low-income Andean peasant communities.

Zoonotic Episodes of Scabies: A Global Overview

Zoonotic scabies (ZS), also referred to as “pseudoscabies”, is considered a self-limiting disease with a short incubation period and transient clinical skin signs. It is commonly thought that Sarcoptes scabiei mites from animals are unable to successfully reproduce and persist on human skin; however, several ZS case reports have mentioned the persistence of symptoms and occasionally mites for weeks. The aim of this review was to collect and organize the sparse literature explicitly referring to S. scabiei zoonotic transmission, focusing on the source of the outbreak, the circumstances leading to the transmission of the parasite, the diagnosis including the identification of the Sarcoptes “strain” involved, and the applied treatments. A total of 46 articles, one conference abstract and a book were collected describing ZS cases associated with twenty animal hosts in five continents. Dogs were by far the most common source among pet owners, while diverse livestock and wildlife contributed to the caseload as an occupational disease. Genetic epidemiological studies of ZS outbreaks are still limited in number, but tools are available to fill this knowledge gap in the near future. Further research is also needed to understand the apparent heterogeneity in the morbidity, disease severity and timing of the response to treatment among people infected with different animal-derived strains.

Sarcoptic mange in the wild boar, Sus scrofa, in Sweden

Sarcoptic mange caused by Sarcoptes scabiei has been present in the Swedish red fox (Vulpes vulpes) population since the 1970s. The disease has been described in other Swedish wildlife species, but not in the wild boar, Sus scrofa, until 2009. Single cases of sarcoptic mange have been diagnosed the last years in the expanding population of wild boar. This study aims to describe the histopathological lesions found on mangy wild boar and compare, by molecular methods, mites from wild boar cases with mites from mangy red foxes, raccoon dogs, and domestic pigs. Mangy wild boar with focal alopecia and clinical signs of pruritis were reported or submitted from various areas in southern Sweden to the National Veterinary Institute, Uppsala. The examined skin samples of wild boar infected with S. scabiei showed limited gross skin lesions, except for cases with severe exudative dermatitis. Histopathology of the affected wild boar skin samples showed an eosinophilic dermatitis with a variable hyperkeratosis and often low number of mites present. To study the relationship of S. scabiei mites isolated from different host species, a population genetics investigation was performed based on microsatellite markers. In total, 225 individual mites from eight individuals of four different host species; red fox (48 mites), wild boar (80 mites), domestic pig (48 mites) and raccoon dog (43 mites), were included in the study. In the phylogenetic analysis, all mites isolated from wild boar clustered together even though they originate from different geographical regions in Sweden. Mites from each individual host showed high similarity. The results indicate that wild boar mites differ from mites both from the red fox, raccoon dog, and domestic pig.

Sarcoptic mange in wild ruminants in Spain: solving the epidemiological enigma using microsatellite markers

BACKGROUND

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.