An Outbreak of Caparinia tripilis in a Colony of African Pygmy Hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris) from Korea

Abstract

In February 2010, dermatitis characterized by scale and self-trauma due to puritis was recognized in a group of 22 four-toed hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris Wagner, 1841) from a local pet shop in Gwangju, Korea. Microscopic examinations of skin scraping samples showed numerous mites of all developmental stages. Morphologically, pedicels of adult mites were short and unjointed. Tarsal caruncles were bell-shaped on all legs of males while they were absent on legs III and IV of females. Three long setae on the third pair of legs in both sexes were present. Adult males had posterior end of the abdomen with trilobate projection on each side, each lobe with a long seta. Based on these features, the mites were identified as Caparinia tripilis. This is the first report of caparinic mite infestation in hedgehogs from Korea. Identification keys for the family Psoroptidae and the genus Caparinia are provided.

Treatment of mange caused by Caparinia tripilis in native Korean wild hedgehogs (Erinaceus amurensis): a case report

“…The genus Caparinia has the characteristic feature of three long setae at the end of the third or fourth pairs of legs (Kim et al 2012a). Among five known species of the genus Caparinia, only two species, C. tripilis and C. erinacei, are known to infest hedgehogs.…”

“…Some cases of hedgehog capariniosis have been reported at a zoo (Letcher 1988). Capariniosis in African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) exotic pets was reported in Korea and Costa Rica (Kim et al 2012a;Moreira et al 2013). Capariniosis has also been reported in New Mexico and California, USA (Letcher 1988;Staley et al 1994).…”

“…Skin scrapings were taken from the lesions and examined microscopically for the presence of ectoparasites. Morphological identi- fication keys for the family Psoroptidae and genus Caparinia were used to identify the causative species (Kim et al 2012a). Numerous mites (300-400 µm body length) (Figure 2A) with three long setae on the third pair of legs ( Figure 2B, C), short and unjointed pedicels, and bell-shaped tarsal caruncles, were observed ( Figure 2D).…”

“…is a common ectoparasitic skin disease in European countries and New Zealand (Sweatman 1962;Brockie 1974;Bexton and Robinson 2003;Stocker 2005). The genus Caparinia has the characteristic feature of three long setae at the end of the third or fourth pairs of legs (Kim et al 2012a). Some cases of hedgehog capariniosis have been reported at a zoo (Letcher 1988).…”

Caparinia tripilis in African hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris)

“…Caparinia tripilis is a mite belonging to the family Psoroptidae, which infests hedgehogs and other mammals. 3 On the host, it forms clusters that localize on the head, pinna and dorsum as well as in the external ear canal. Affected individuals exhibit severe pruritus associated with dry, scaling skin and lichenification of the peripheral margins of the pinna characterized by a 'cauliflower pattern'.…”