Effects of temperature on the survival of Sarcoptes scabiei of black bear (Ursus americanus) origin

Niedringhaus, Kevin D.; Brown, Justin D.; Ternent, Mark A.; Peltier, Sarah K.; Yabsley, Michael J.

doi:10.1007/s00436-019-06387-7

Cited by 14 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…An important factor influencing the efficiency of indirect transmission is mite survival in the environment. Temperature, humidity, and possibly mite strain are important factors that can affect the ability of mites to survive off of the host, with survival being shortest at temperatures less than 0 °C and above 45 °C and at lower relative humidity (less than 25%); mites survived longest at cool (between 4 and 10 °C) but not freezing temperatures and high (97%) relative humidity (Arlian et al, 1984a; Arlian et al, 1989; Niedringhaus et al, 2019a). In the environment, mites use multiple cues to seek out new hosts, including temperature and odor (Arlian et al, 1984c).…”

Section: Sarcoptes Scabieimentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Additionally, indirect transmission through shared dens is likely the most dominant mechanism of mite transmission among wombats as well as possibly within and between carnivore species in Europe (Kolodziej-Sobocinska et al, 2014; Martin et al, 2019). Evidence of indirect transmission and data showing mite survival off of the live host suggest that scenarios when animals share space, including artificial feeding sites, may contribute to mite transmission (Süld et al, 2014; Niedringhaus et al, 2019a).…”

Section: Sarcoptes Scabieimentioning

confidence: 99%

“…If management of sarcoptic mange in wildlife is being considered, the actions should be tailored to the biology of the host affected. For example, if dens or burrows are a significant source of transmission in some canids or wombats, the approach would be different compared to bears where dens are unlikely to be a source of infestation (Martin et al, 2018; Montecino-Latorre et al, 2019; Niedringhaus et al, 2019a).…”

Section: Sarcoptic Mangementioning

confidence: 99%

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A review of sarcoptic mange in North American wildlife

Niedringhaus

Brown

Sweeley

et al. 2019

International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife

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The “itch mite” or “mange mite”, Sarcoptes scabiei, causes scabies in humans and sarcoptic mange in domestic and free-ranging animals. This mite has a wide host range due to its ability to adapt to new hosts and has been spread across the globe presumably through human expansion. While disease caused by S. scabiei has been very well-studied in humans and domestic animals, there are still numerous gaps in our understanding of this pathogen in free-ranging wildlife. The literature on sarcoptic mange in North American wildlife is particularly limited, which may be due to the relatively limited number of clinically-affected species and lack of severe population impacts seen in other continents. This review article provides a summary of the current knowledge of mange in wildlife, with a focus on the most common clinically-affected species in North America including red foxes ( Vulpes vulpes ), gray wolves ( Canis lupus ), coyotes ( Canis latrans ), and American black bears ( Ursus americanus ).

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Section: Sarcoptes Scabieimentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Sarcoptes Scabieimentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Sarcoptic Mangementioning

confidence: 99%

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A review of sarcoptic mange in North American wildlife

Niedringhaus

Brown

Sweeley

et al. 2019

International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife

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“…Environmental transmission is a key pathway of S. scabiei spread for a range of mange affected wildlife species ( Kołodziej-Sobocińska et al, 2014 ; Montecino-Latorre et al, 2019 ; Niedringhaus et al, 2019b ). However, environmental transmission of the parasite remains a critical knowledge gap ( Alasaad et al, 2013 ; Martin et al, 2018a ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Environmental transmission is primarily documented in mange affected species that use underground retreat sites, such as burrows and dens, for example, kit foxes, black bears, foxes, and bare-nosed wombats ( Loredo et al, 2020 ; Niedringhaus et al, 2019b ; Skerratt, 2005 ; Soulsbury et al, 2007 ). Burrows and dens are expected to provide favourable conditions, buffered from outside climatic variation, where mites shed from infected hosts can survive ( Loredo et al, 2020 ; Martin et al, 2019b ; Skerratt, 2005 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental suitability of bare-nosed wombat burrows for Sarcoptes scabiei

Browne

Driessen²,

Ross

et al. 2021

International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife

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Some of the most important pathogens affecting wildlife are transmitted indirectly via the environment. Yet the environmental stages of pathogens are often poorly understood, relative to infection in the host, making this an important research frontier. Sarcoptic mange is a globally widespread disease caused by the parasitic mite Sarcoptes scabiei . The bare-nosed wombat ( Vombatus ursinus ) is particularly susceptible, and their solitary nature and overlapping use of burrows strongly indicate the importance of environmental transmission. However, due to the challenge of accessing and monitoring within wombat burrows, there has been limited research into their suitability for off-host mite survival and environmental transmission (i.e., to serve as a fomite). We created a model using published laboratory data to predict mite survival times based on temperature and humidity. We then implemented innovative technologies (ground-penetrating radar and a tele-operated robotic vehicle) to map and access wombat burrows to record temperature and relative humidity. We found that the stable conditions within burrows were conducive for off-host survival of S. scabiei, particularly in winter (estimated mite survival of 16.41 ± 0.34 days) and less so in warmer and drier months (summer estimated survival of 5.96 ± 0.37 days). We also compared two areas with higher and lower average mange prevalence in wombats (13.35% and 4.65%, respectively), finding estimated mite survival was slightly higher in the low prevalence area (10.10 and 12.12 days, respectively), contrary to our expectations, suggesting other factors are also important for population prevalence. Our study is the first to demonstrate the suitability of the bare-nosed wombat burrow for off-host mite survival and environmental transmission. Our findings have implications for understanding observed patterns of mange, disease dynamics and disease management for not only bare-nosed wombats, but also other burrow or den-obligate species exposed to S. scabiei via environmental transmission.

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