Dermanyssus gallinae(chicken mite): an underdiagnosed environmental infestation

Abstract

Dermanyssus gallinae is a mite that normally parasitizes small birds but may occasionally bite humans. We report an unusual case of an 82-year-old woman who presented with pruritus and bite-like lesions over her trunk. Other members of the household were also affected. On physical examination, mites < 1 mm in size were found on the patient's body. The family were residing in the city centre and had no pets, but there were pigeon nests in close proximity to the house. Most dermatologists have difficulties identifying ectoparasitosis. In the case of D. gallinae, the small size of the mites and the fact that they leave the host after feeding means that they may not be seen at presentation, thus such infestations are likely to be underdiagnosed. Physicians should be aware that infection with this mite is possible even in patients from urban areas, and it should be included in the differential diagnosis of conditions causing recurrent pruritus unresponsive to standard treatments.

Dermatitis caused by arthropods in domestic environment: an Italian multicentre study

“…Dermatitis induced by arthropods in domestic environments is an increasing health problem in industrialized countries. Nevertheless, systematic studies on skin diseases caused by mites and insects living in indoor environments have been rarely reported, and only several single case reports of skin injuries induced by a large variety of different arthropods were described …”

Prevalence ofDermanyssus gallinae(Mesostigmata: Dermanyssidae) in industrial poultry farms in North-East Tunisia

“…In cage rearing farms, the prevalence is also high, as estimated in France (56%), the UK (60%) and Denmark (68%) [13]. Moreover, this parasite is zoonotic, inducing serious discomfort to the working staff in affected poultry premises, and is frequently underdiagnosed [2]. The parasites are predominantly hidden in cracks and crevasses during the day, and can survive for several months out of the hosts.…”

Papağanlarda Dermanyssus Galli̇nae Kaynakli Kani̇bali̇zm

“…Özellikle evcil hayvanlarda ve insanlarda enfestasyonun ev Papağanlarda Dermanyssus gallinae Kaynaklı Kanibalizm çevresinde bulunan kuş yuvaları aracığıyla ya da enfeste tavuk çiftlikleriyle ilişkili oldukları durumlarda gerçekleştiği belirtilmektedir (11,5). Sunulan bu olgularda, A. amazonica türü papağanın yeni sahiplenildiği için geçmişine dair bilgi edinilemese de N. hollandicus türü papağanın büyük olasılıkla balkondaki güvercin yuvası aracılığıyla enfeste olduğu sonucuna varılmıştır.…”

“…Zoonoz bir ektoparazit olan D. gallinae'nin insanlarda da enfestasyona sebep olduğu çok kez rapor edilmiş, vücudun ve ekstremitelerin bazı kısımlarında ağrılı ve tipik kırmızı makulopapüler lezyonlara sebep olduğu bildirilmiştir (11,2 …”