Sarcoptic mange in Felidae: does Sarcoptes scabiei var. felis exist? A first molecular study

Abstract

Domestic and wild felids are considered suitable hosts for the parasitic mite Sarcoptes scabiei, and sarcoptic mange is reported in several felid species in the scientific literature. However, the historic classification of Sarcoptes mites into host-specific varieties does not include S. scabiei var. felis. It is unclear whether sarcoptic mange transmission in felids involves canids, other sympatric species, or exclusively felids. This study aimed to characterize the genetic structure of S. scabiei mites from domestic cats (Felis catus) and Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx carpathicus), comparing them with Sarcoptes mites from sympatric domestic and wild carnivores. Ten Sarcoptes microsatellite markers were used to genotype 81 mites obtained from skin scrapings of 36 carnivores: 4 domestic cats, one dog (Canis lupus familiaris), 4 Eurasian lynx, 23 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), and 4 grey wolves (Canis lupus lupus) from either Italy, Switzerland or France. Two genetic clusters of S. scabiei with a geographical distribution pattern were detected: mites from cats originating from Central Italy clustered with those from sympatric wolves. In contrast, all the other mites from Switzerland, France and Northern Italy clustered together. These results strengthen the previously advanced hypothesis that genetic variants of S. scabiei have a predominant geographic-related distribution with cryptic transmission patterns. These patterns may rely on the interactions between different hosts living in the same ecological niche rather than a simple infection among hosts belonging to the same taxon, reinforcing the idea that the S. scabiei historic classification into “var” might have little ongoing relevance.

Feline sarcoptic mange in Poland: A case series of three cats

“…Hominis) (Kumar et al, 2023). Interestingly, a study by Moroni et al based (Moroni et al, 2023). The owners of infested cats reported free outdoor access, as in the cases presented here.…”

“…Genetic characterization, coupled with principal component analysis, indicated the close relation of different carnivorous hosts of S. scabiei var. canis in Italy, France and Switzerland (Moroni et al., 2023 ). The owners of infested cats reported free outdoor access, as in the cases presented here.…”

“…This parasite has been isolated from several mammalian species, both domesticated (dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, sheep, goats, cattle and pigs) and wild (jackals, wolves, foxes, marsupials and bears) (Arlian & Vyszenski‐Moher, 1988 ; Berkovitz et al., 2009 ; Browne et al., 2022 ; Chen et al., 2014 ; Huang & Lien, 2013 ; Rampton et al., 2013 ). S. scabiei infestation can occur via direct or indirect transmission (Escobar et al., 2022 ; Moroni et al., 2023 ). Scabies is highly contagious and can be transmitted from animals to humans and from person to person (Moroni et al., 2022 ).…”

“…canis usually completes its reproductive cycle only on the original canine host but can survive for a few days off the host (Arlian et al., 1989 ; Montecino‐Latorre et al., 2019 ). However, a new report based on microsatellite marker investigations proposes a different hypothesis, suggesting a predominantly geographic‐related distribution (Moroni et al., 2023 ) and in cases of alternate hosts, the process is dependent on humidity and temperature (Arlian & Morgan, 2017 ). According to a study published in 2013, sarcoptic mange accounted for less than 5% of dogs presenting for dermatologic consultation in Poland (Pomorska‐Handwerker, 2013 ).…”