Case of Human Infestation with Dermanyssus gallinae (Poultry Red Mite) from Swallows (Hirundinidae)

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.

Deltamethrin induces apoptosis in cerebrum neurons of quail via promoting endoplasmic reticulum stress and mitochondrial dysfunction

“…Deltamethrin (DLM) is a kind of type II synthetic pyrethroids, which is used to drive or kill arthropods, such as flies, ticks, lice, and some mites 1,2 . Among pyrethroids, DLM is considered one of the safest available insecticides 3 .…”

Evaluation of the in vitro acaricidal activity of ethanol extracts of seven Chinese medicinal herbs on Ornithonyssus sylviarum (Acari: Macronyssidae)

“…The NFM often parasitizes the vent region of the host and completes its entire life cycle on the host (Murillo and Mullens 2017 ). Although there have been no reports of NFM bites on humans, Dermanyssus gallinae and Ornithonyssus bursa bites have been reported, and people who are bitten can experience skin diseases such as skin itching, rash, dermatitis and urticaria (Castelli et al 2015 ; Sioutas et al 2021 ). Infested birds have clinical manifestations of restlessness, feather pecking, skin inflammation, anemia, slowed growth, and decreased egg production and quality (Murillo et al 2020 ; Vezzoli et al 2016 ).…”

Evaluation of the in vitro acaricidal activity of Chinese herbal compounds on the poultry red mite (Dermanyssus gallinae)

“…PRM infection outbreaks can not only cause serious harm to the poultry industry, but also pose a threat to human health. In recent years, there has been a series of reports of infections in humans caused by PRM bites ( 4 , 5 ), such as rash, dermatitis, urticaria, and other skin diseases. In addition, PRM have been reported to bite cats and dogs ( 6 , 7 ).…”