This study aimed to investigate the incidence of the canine ear dermatoses caused by mites and the relativity of the causative mites of canine dermatoses to the pruritic dermatoses of the families possessing the pet dogs. Total 970 samples were collected from the lesional hairs and scales of the ear of pet dogs referred to Chung-Woon animal clinic in Seoul from January, 1990 to December, 1995. The mites were collected from the samples by means of the washing method. Presence of pruritic dermatoses in the families possessing the pet dog was evaluated. Among 2,147 mites collected from 970 samples, 2,117 specimens were Octodectes cynotis and others were Sarcoptes canis (30 mites). O. cynotis were found in 382 samples out of total 970 samples (39.4%) and S. canis were found in 3 samples (0.3%). Although two families out of 382 families that possessed the diseased pet dog by O. cynotis had the family histories of pruritic dermatoses, their pruritic dermatoses were not related to the infestation by O. cynotis. In conclusion, O. cynotis, the most common canine mite producing pruritic ear dermatoses, does not cause pruritic dermatoses in man.

Three types, hitherto commonly known as varieties of Sarcoptes scabiei (Linnaeus, 1758) were collected from scabietic patients, pigs and dogs to confirm their taxonomic status. As a result, we consider that the mites of human and pig scabies are different subspecies [S. scabiei scabiei (Linnaeus, 1758) and S. scabiei suis Megnin, 1880, respectively], and that of dog scabies is a different species, S. canis Gerlach, 1857. Infestation rate of human scabies in Korea peaked in 1981-1982 and showed nearly 10% of prevalence rate among outpatients of the dermatology clinic, but decreased dramatically during the past ten years and now lowered below 1% since 1990. On the other hand, dog scabies seems to be increasing recently.