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Pesenato IP, Bassini-Silva R, Jacinavicius FDC. A review on trombiculiasis: An underreported parasitosis that affects humans and animals, including world distribution, clinical findings, associated pathogens, prophylaxis and identification methods. Acta Trop 2024; 260:107420. [PMID: 39366499 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2024] [Revised: 09/19/2024] [Accepted: 09/29/2024] [Indexed: 10/06/2024]
Abstract
Chigger mites comprise three families: Trombiculidae, Leeuwenhoekiidae and Walchiidae, with over 3,000 species worldwide. Their life cycle includes six stages, and the larvae are parasites, while the other stages are free-living predators. Once attached to a host, the larvae spend several days feeding on the host's epithelial tissue, forming the stylostome. An inflammatory reaction can be formed during larval feeding, known as trombiculiasis or trombiculosis. In this study, we provide a literature review using 123 scientific articles on the cases of trombiculiasis in animals and humans reported in different biogeographical regions, including 29 countries and 30 different chigger species, with all the information compiled in the Supplementary material. This review aims to increase the visibility of this disease and group of mites, so that physicians and veterinarians can become more aware of the disease and include the causative agent in differential diagnoses. We also offer knowledge on mounting and control methods in order to improve mite identification for future research. Lastly, the prophylaxis and control methods in cases of infestations and associated pathogens are mentioned.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella Pereira Pesenato
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil.
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Gebrezgiher GB, Makundi RH, Katakweba AAS, Belmain SR, Lyimo CM, Meheretu Y. Arthropod Ectoparasites of Two Rodent Species Occurring in Varied Elevations on Tanzania’s Second Highest Mountain. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:biology12030394. [PMID: 36979086 PMCID: PMC10045264 DOI: 10.3390/biology12030394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
Climate change causes organisms, including species that act as parasite reservoirs and vectors, to shift their distribution to higher altitudes, affecting wildlife infestation patterns. We studied how ectoparasite distributions varied with altitude using two rodent species, Montemys delectorum and Rhabdomys dilectus, at different elevations (1500–3500 m). The ectoparasites infesting the two rodent species were influenced by the host sex, species, and temperature. We expected host density to predict parasite infestation patterns, because hosts in higher densities should have more parasites due to increased contact between individuals. However, temperature, not host density, affected ectoparasite distribution. Since temperatures decrease with elevation, parasite prevalences and abundances were lower at higher elevations, highlighting that the cold conditions at higher elevations limit reproduction and development—this shows that higher elevation zones are ideal for conservation. The rodents and ectoparasite species described in this study have been reported as vectors of diseases of medical and veterinary importance, necessitating precautions. Moreover, Mount Meru is a refuge for a number of endemic and threatened species on the IUCN Red List. Thus, the parasitic infection can also be an additional risk to these critical species as well as biodiversity in general. Therefore, our study lays the groundwork for future wildlife disease surveillance and biodiversity conservation management actions. The study found a previously uncharacterized mite species in the Mesostigmata group that was previously known to be a parasite of honeybees. Further investigations may shed light into the role of this mite species on Mount Meru.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genet B. Gebrezgiher
- African Centre of Excellence for Innovative Rodent Pest Management and Biosensor Technology Development, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro P.O. Box 3110, Tanzania
- Institute of Pest Management, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro P.O. Box 3110, Tanzania
- Department of Wildlife Management, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro P.O. Box 3073, Tanzania
- Department of Biology, Mekelle University, Mekelle P.O. Box 231, Ethiopia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.:+255-710-421-237
| | - Rhodes H. Makundi
- African Centre of Excellence for Innovative Rodent Pest Management and Biosensor Technology Development, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro P.O. Box 3110, Tanzania
- Institute of Pest Management, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro P.O. Box 3110, Tanzania
| | - Abdul A. S. Katakweba
- African Centre of Excellence for Innovative Rodent Pest Management and Biosensor Technology Development, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro P.O. Box 3110, Tanzania
- Institute of Pest Management, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro P.O. Box 3110, Tanzania
| | - Steven R. Belmain
- Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, Chatham Maritime ME4 4TB, UK
| | - Charles M. Lyimo
- Department of Animal, Aquaculture and Range Sciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro P.O. Box 3004, Tanzania
| | - Yonas Meheretu
- Department of Biology, Mekelle University, Mekelle P.O. Box 231, Ethiopia
- Institute of Mountain Research and Development, Mekelle University, Mekelle P.O. Box 3102, Ethiopia
- Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 901 83 Umea, Sweden
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Parasiticides: Weapons for Controlling Microbial Vector-Borne Diseases in Veterinary Medicine; The Potential of Ethnobotanic/Phytoparasiticides: An Asset to One Health. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:antibiotics12020341. [PMID: 36830252 PMCID: PMC9952419 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12020341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Some ectoparasites are vectors of illness-causing bacteria and viruses, and these are treated with antibiotic and antiviral drugs, which eventually contribute to the excessive use of antimicrobials. Therefore, the control of ectoparasites is crucial, and the challenge will be to manage them in a sustainable way. Data from a preliminary ethnobotanical survey was reanalyzed to obtain information on the use of various plant species in companion animals and livestock as ectoparasiticides. The survey responses were reviewed for traditional use of plants as ectoparasiticides, and cross-sectional bibliographic research was undertaken. The following plants were selected among the nine mentioned plants: Juglans regia, Daphne gnidium and Ruta graveolens, which have the most potential to be developed as veterinary ectoparasiticides. Moreover, the absence of published data for Plantago lanceolata and Cistus populifolius suggests that their traditional use as ectoparasiticides is noted here for the first time. In summary, these plants could give promising plant-derived veterinary ectoparasiticides that, ultimately, will help reduce and even avoid the excessive use of antimicrobials.
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Herrera-Mares A, Guzmán-Cornejo C, Ulloa-García A, Córdoba-Aguilar A, Silva-de la Fuente MC, Suzán G. Mites, rodents, and pathogens: A global review for a multi-species interaction in disease ecology. Acta Trop 2022; 232:106509. [PMID: 35569525 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
More than ever, there is a need to understand how pathogens, vectors and hosts occur temporally and spatially to predict the occurrence of zoonotic outbreaks. Related to this, mites of the Mesostigmata and Trombidiformes orders have the potential to transmit several diseases, yet their information of occurrence, distribution and zoonotic accompanying agents have not been systematically organized. We conducted a systematic review using a combination of words through the Sysrev platform, as well as literature searches in specialised databases to identify global patterns of infections, trends in mite-rodent-pathogen research and existing knowledge gaps. The inclusion criterion was the detection of pathogens in mites, either by molecular or serological techniques or by direct observation under the microscope, which rendered 125 papers. Most works have been carried out in Asia, mainly around the transmission of Orientia tsutsugamushi. Interestingly, co-infections, i.e., the presence of more than one pathogen in an individual, are common in other Acari groups such as ticks. Moreover, this is not the case for Trombidiformes and Mesostigmata as only 4.7 percent of the articles reviewed detected more than one pathogen in these mites. It is important to include a multi-host, multi-vector and multi-pathogen approaches to understand complex systems in disease ecology. A synergy between mite taxonomists, physicians and veterinarians, decision-makers, governmental organisations, and society is needed to address the emergence of mite-borne new or neglected diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angel Herrera-Mares
- Departamento de Etología, Laboratorio de Ecología de Enfermedades y Una Salud, Fauna Silvestre y Animales de Laboratorio, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico; Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Unidad de Posgrado, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico
| | - Carmen Guzmán-Cornejo
- Departamento de Biología Comparada, Facultad de Ciencias, Laboratorio de Acarología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Armando Ulloa-García
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Campus IV, Universidad Autónoma de Chiapas, Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico
| | - Alex Córdoba-Aguilar
- Instituto de Ecología, Universidad, Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Gerardo Suzán
- Departamento de Etología, Laboratorio de Ecología de Enfermedades y Una Salud, Fauna Silvestre y Animales de Laboratorio, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico.
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Mathison BA, Sapp SGH. An annotated checklist of the eukaryotic parasites of humans, exclusive of fungi and algae. Zookeys 2021; 1069:1-313. [PMID: 34819766 PMCID: PMC8595220 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1069.67403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The classification of "parasites" in the medical field is a challenging notion, a group which historically has included all eukaryotes exclusive of fungi that invade and derive resources from the human host. Since antiquity, humans have been identifying and documenting parasitic infections, and this collective catalog of parasitic agents has expanded considerably with technology. As our understanding of species boundaries and the use of molecular tools has evolved, so has our concept of the taxonomy of human parasites. Consequently, new species have been recognized while others have been relegated to synonyms. On the other hand, the decline of expertise in classical parasitology and limited curricula have led to a loss of awareness of many rarely encountered species. Here, we provide a comprehensive checklist of all reported eukaryotic organisms (excluding fungi and allied taxa) parasitizing humans resulting in 274 genus-group taxa and 848 species-group taxa. For each species, or genus where indicated, a concise summary of geographic distribution, natural hosts, route of transmission and site within human host, and vectored pathogens are presented. Ubiquitous, human-adapted species as well as very rare, incidental zoonotic organisms are discussed in this annotated checklist. We also provide a list of 79 excluded genera and species that have been previously reported as human parasites but are not believed to be true human parasites or represent misidentifications or taxonomic changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blaine A. Mathison
- Institute for Clinical and Experimental Pathology, ARUP Laboratories, Salt Lake City, UT, USAInstitute for Clinical and Experimental PathologySalt Lake CityUnited States of America
| | - Sarah G. H. Sapp
- Parasitic Diseases Branch, Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USACenters for Disease Control and PreventionAtlantaUnited States of America
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A Rapid and Cost-Effective Identification of Invertebrate Pests at the Borders Using MinION Sequencing of DNA Barcodes. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12081138. [PMID: 34440312 PMCID: PMC8392835 DOI: 10.3390/genes12081138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The rapid and accurate identification of invertebrate pests detected at the border is a challenging task. Current diagnostic methods used at the borders are mainly based on time consuming visual and microscopic examinations. Here, we demonstrate a rapid in-house workflow for DNA extraction, PCR amplification of the barcode region of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene and Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) MinION sequencing of amplified products multiplexed after barcoding on ONT Flongle flow cells. A side-by-side comparison was conducted of DNA barcode sequencing-based identification and morphological identification of both large (>0.5 mm in length) and small (<0.5 mm in length) invertebrate specimens intercepted at the Australian border. DNA barcode sequencing results supported the morphological identification in most cases and enabled immature stages of invertebrates and their eggs to be identified more confidently. Results also showed that sequencing the COI barcode region using the ONT rapid sequencing principle is a cost-effective and field-adaptable approach for the rapid and accurate identification of invertebrate pests. Overall, the results suggest that MinION sequencing of DNA barcodes offers a complementary tool to the existing morphological diagnostic approaches and provides rapid, accurate, reliable and defendable evidence for identifying invertebrate pests at the border.
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Madhav M, Baker D, Morgan JAT, Asgari S, James P. Wolbachia: A tool for livestock ectoparasite control. Vet Parasitol 2020; 288:109297. [PMID: 33248417 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2020.109297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 10/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Ectoparasites and livestock-associated insects are a major concern throughout the world because of their economic and welfare impacts. Effective control is challenging and relies mainly on the use of chemical insecticides and acaricides. Wolbachia, an arthropod and nematode-infecting, maternally-transmitted endosymbiont is currently of widespread interest for use in novel strategies for the control of a range of arthropod-vectored human diseases and plant pests but to date has received only limited consideration for use in the control of diseases of veterinary concern. Here, we review the currently available information on Wolbachia in veterinary ectoparasites and disease vectors, consider the feasibility for use of Wolbachia in the control of livestock pests and diseases and highlight critical issues which need further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mukund Madhav
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Dalton Baker
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Jess A T Morgan
- Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Sassan Asgari
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Peter James
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.
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Stewart AGA, Smith S, Binotto E, McBride WJH, Hanson J. The epidemiology and clinical features of rickettsial diseases in North Queensland, Australia: Implications for patient identification and management. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007583. [PMID: 31318873 PMCID: PMC6667154 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Revised: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Rickettsial infections are a common cause of hospitalization in tropical settings, although early diagnosis is challenging in the rural locations where these infections are usually seen. Methods This retrospective, clinical audit of microbiologically-confirmed cases of scrub typhus or spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsial infection between 1997 and 2016 was performed a tertiary referral hospital in tropical Australia. Clinical, laboratory and radiological findings at presentation were correlated with the patients’ subsequent clinical course. Results There were 135 locally-acquired cases (95 scrub typhus, 37 SFG, 3 undifferentiated). There were nine hospitalizations during the first 5 years of the study period and 81 in the last 5 years (p for trend = 0.003). Eighteen (13%) of the 135 cases required ICU admission, all of whom were adults. A greater proportion of patients with SFG infection required ICU support (8/37 (22%) compared with 10/95 (11%) scrub typhus cases), although this difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.10). Three (8%) of the 37 patients with SFG infection had severe disease (1 died, 2 developed permanent disability) versus 0/95 scrub typhus patients (p = 0.02). Adults with a high admission qSOFA score (≥2) had an odds ratio (OR) of 19 (95% CI:4.8–74.5) for subsequent ICU admission (p<0.001); adults with a high NEWS2 score (≥7) had an OR of 14.3 (95% CI:4.5–45.32) for ICU admission (p<0.001). A patient’s respiratory rate at presentation had strong prognostic utility: if an adult had an admission respiratory rate <22 breaths/minute, the negative predictive value for subsequent ICU admission was 95% (95% CI 88–99). Conclusions In the well-resourced Australian health system outcomes are excellent, but the local burden of rickettsial disease appears to be increasing and the clinical phenotype of SFG infections may be more severe than previously believed. Simple, clinical assessment on admission has prognostic utility and may be used to guide management. Rickettsial infections are a common cause of hospitalization in tropical settings, although early, definitive diagnosis is challenging in the rural and remote locations where they are usually seen. It is important to recognise rickettsial infections early in their disease course as they can lead to life-threatening multi-organ failure if specific anti-rickettsial antimicrobial therapy is not prescribed promptly. In tropical Australia, scrub typhus and spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae are the dominant rickettsial pathogens and this twenty-year retrospective series examines the clinical and laboratory findings which might facilitate their recognition. The study highlights the infections’ increasing local clinical burden and reports that over 20% of the SFG cases in the series required Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission, suggesting that severe SFG disease may be more common than previously believed. Simple, clinical prediction scores—calculated at presentation—identified patients who would subsequently require ICU admission. Importantly, they were also able to identify patients at low risk of disease progression. These entirely clinical scores—which can be calculated rapidly at the bedside—have the potential to facilitate the management of patients with scrub typhus and SFG infection, particularly in resource-limited settings which have the greatest burden of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Simon Smith
- Department of Medicine, Cairns Hospital, Cairns, Australia
| | - Enzo Binotto
- Department of Medicine, Cairns Hospital, Cairns, Australia
| | | | - Josh Hanson
- Department of Medicine, Cairns Hospital, Cairns, Australia
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- * E-mail:
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Stingeni L, Bianchi L, Hansel K, Neve D, Foti C, Corazza M, Bini V, Moretta I, Principato M. Dermatitis caused by arthropods in domestic environment: an Italian multicentre study. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2017; 31:1526-1533. [PMID: 28653403 DOI: 10.1111/jdv.14438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2017] [Accepted: 06/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Skin diseases caused by mites and insects living in domestic environments have been rarely systematically studied. OBJECTIVES To study patients with dermatitis induced by arthropods in domestic environment describing their clinical features, isolating culprit arthropods and relating the clinical features to the parasitological data. METHODS The study was performed in 105 subjects with clinical and anamnestic data compatible with the differential diagnosis of ectoparasitoses in domestic environments. Clinical data and arthropods findings obtained by indoor dust direct examination were studied. RESULTS Indoor dust direct examination demonstrated possible arthropods infestation in 98 subjects (93.3%), more frequently mites (56.1%) (mainly Pyemotes ventricosus and Glycyphagus domesticus) than insects (43.9%) (mainly Formicidae and Bethylidae). Strophulus (46.9%) and urticaria-like eruption (36.7%) in upper limbs and trunk with severe extent were prevalent. Itch was mostly severe (66.3%) and continuous (55.1%). Ectoparasitoses occurred frequently with acute course in summer (44.9%) and spring (30.6%). CONCLUSIONS Possible correlation between clinical and aetiological diagnosis of arthropods ectoparasitoses in domestic environments needs the close cooperation between dermatologist and parasitologist. This is crucial to successfully and definitely resolve skin lesions by eradicating the factors favouring infestation.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Stingeni
- Section of Clinical, Allergological and Venereological Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - L Bianchi
- Section of Clinical, Allergological and Venereological Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - K Hansel
- Section of Clinical, Allergological and Venereological Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - D Neve
- Section of Clinical, Allergological and Venereological Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - C Foti
- Section of Dermatology, Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - M Corazza
- Section of Dermatology, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - V Bini
- Internal Medicine, Endocrine and Metabolic Sciences Section, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - I Moretta
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - M Principato
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
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Castelli E, Viviano E, Torina A, Caputo V, Bongiorno MR. Avian mite dermatitis: an Italian case indicating the establishment and spread ofOrnithonyssus bursa(Acari: Gamasida: Macronyssidae) (Berlese, 1888) in Europe. Int J Dermatol 2015; 54:795-9. [DOI: 10.1111/ijd.12739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2013] [Revised: 03/10/2014] [Accepted: 04/04/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Castelli
- Department of Dermatology; University of Palermo; Palermo Italy
| | - Enza Viviano
- Department of Dermatology; University of Palermo; Palermo Italy
| | - Alessandra Torina
- Laboratory of Entomology; Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Sicily “A. Mirri”; Palermo Italy
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Fischer K, Walton S. Parasitic mites of medical and veterinary importance--is there a common research agenda? Int J Parasitol 2014; 44:955-67. [PMID: 25218570 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2014.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2014] [Revised: 08/22/2014] [Accepted: 08/23/2014] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
There are an estimated 0.5-1 million mite species on earth. Among the many mites that are known to affect humans and animals, only a subset are parasitic but these can cause significant disease. We aim here to provide an overview of the most recent work in this field in order to identify common biological features of these parasites and to inform common strategies for future research. There is a critical need for diagnostic tools to allow for better surveillance and for drugs tailored specifically to the respective parasites. Multi-'omics' approaches represent a logical and timely strategy to identify the appropriate mite molecules. Recent advances in sequencing technology enable us to generate de novo genome sequence data, even from limited DNA resources. Consequently, the field of mite genomics has recently emerged and will now rapidly expand, which is a particular advantage for parasitic mites that cannot be cultured in vitro. Investigations of the microbiota associated with mites will elucidate the link between parasites and pathogens, and define the role of the mite in transmission and pathogenesis. The databases generated will provide the crucial knowledge essential to design novel diagnostic tools, control measures, prophylaxes, drugs and immunotherapies against the mites and associated secondary infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Fischer
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Infectious Diseases Program, Biology Department, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Shelley Walton
- Inflammation and Healing Research Cluster, School of Health and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia.
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La gale en France entre 1999 et 2010 : augmentation de l’incidence et implications en santé publique. Ann Dermatol Venereol 2012; 139:428-34. [DOI: 10.1016/j.annder.2012.01.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2011] [Revised: 01/18/2012] [Accepted: 01/31/2012] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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