No abstract

Dermanyssus gallinae (the poultry red mite, PRM) is an important ectoparasite in the laying hen industry. PRM can also infest humans, causing gamasoidosis, which is manifested as skin lesions characterized by rash and itching. Recently, there has been an increase in the reported number of human infestation cases with D. gallinae, mostly associated with the proliferation of pigeons in cities where they build their nests. The human form of the disease has not been linked to swallows (Hirundinidae) before. In this report, we describe an incident of human gamasoidosis linked to a nest of swallows built on the window ledge of an apartment in the island of Kefalonia, Greece. Mites were identified as D. gallinae using morphological keys and amplifying the Cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (COI) gene by PCR. Bayesian phylogenetic analysis and median-joining network supported the identification of three PRM haplogroups and the haplotype isolated from swallows was identical to three PRM sequences isolated from hens in Portugal. The patient was treated with topical corticosteroids, while the house was sprayed with deltamethrin. After one week, the mites disappeared and clinical symptoms subsided. The current study is the first report of human gamasoidosis from PRM found in swallows’ nest.

Biodiversity is a key factor for the functioning and efficiency of an ecosystem. Greece, though covering a relatively small surface area, hosts a great deal of species diversity. This is especially true for freshwater fishes. In recent years, the traditional methods of species identification have been supplemented by the use of molecular markers. The present study therefore aims to extensively produce DNA barcodes for Greek freshwater fish species and investigate thoroughly if the presently accepted species classification is in agreement with molecular data. A 624-bases long fragment of the COI gene was sequenced, from 406 freshwater fish specimens belonging to 24 genera and originating from 18 lake and river sites. These sequences were used along with 596 sequences from the same genera, recovered from BOLD, for the construction of phylogenetic trees and the estimation of genetic distances between individuals. In total, 1002 sequences belonging to 72 species were analyzed. The method was found to be effective for 55 of 72 studied species. 17 closely related species with low interspecific genetic distances were observed, for which further study is proposed. It should also be noted that, in four cases, cryptic diversity was observed, where groups originally identified as one species exhibited genetic distance great enough to be separated into discrete species. Region specific haplotypes were also detected within populations of 14 species, giving the possibility to identify even the geographic origin of a species. Our findings are discussed in the light of the rich history of the Balkan peninsula and provide a significant steppingstone for the further study of Greek and European freshwater fish biodiversity.

Numerous studies have shown that the phylogeography of many species, including European brown hare, has been affected by the climatic oscillations of the Pleistocene. During this period the Balkans acted as a major refugium offering habitable conditions for many species. However, few studies have focused on the specific role of the Greek peninsula in the phylogeographic history of species in this southernmost margin of Balkans. We, therefore analyzed a 528 bp fragment of the D-loop region of mitochondrial DNA in 154 wild brown hare individuals from unsampled areas from both mainland and island Greece and compared it to 310 available brown hare sequences (including 110 Greek samples). Newly identified haplotypes show characteristic distribution in specific Greek areas reinforcing the theory that Greece can be considered as a subrefuge within Balkans for a number of species, with several “refugia within refugia” spots, holding significant genetic diversity. No haplotypes from wild Greek individuals clustered with the Central and Western Europe group revealing a minimal contribution of this area to the colonization of central Europe. One hundred and ten reared brown hares were also analyzed to elucidate the impact of introductions on local populations. Most of these samples presented close genetic affinity with haplotypes from Central and Western Europe indicating that farms in Greece use breeders from those areas. Therefore, despite human translocation of individuals, the genetic structure of brown hare has mostly been influenced by paleoclimatic conditions and minimally by human actions.

The poultry red mite (PRM), Dermanyssus gallinae, is arguably the most harmful, ubiquitous haematophagous ectoparasite infesting egg-laying hens. PRM is a vector of various microorganisms, with some being important for food microbiology and public health. The present study aimed to investigate the presence of specific pathogens, including Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp. and Listeria spp., carried by PRM infesting a chicken farm in Greece. Mites were caught using cardboard traps (Avivet), and 100 unwashed PRM were homogenized and used for microbiological cultures. Microbiological cultures were carried out on general and selective substrates to detect the above-mentioned bacteria. Specifically for Listeria spp., DNA was extracted from bacteria grown in Tryptone Soya Yeast Extract Agar using a commercial kit. The hly gene encoding the Listeriolysin O protein was amplified by PCR. Mites were identified as D. gallinae using morphological keys as well as by COI DNA barcoding. Microbiological cultures and PCR assays were positive for Listeria monocytogenes. No other bacteria were detected. The current study constitutes the first molecular isolation of L. monocytogenes from D. gallinae, confirming that PRM can carry this food-borne pathogen. PRM control measures and hygiene practices should be applied to minimize any possible contamination risk of poultry products with L. monocytogenes and safeguard public health.