Sarcoptic mange (Sarcoptes scabiei) in wild canids (Cerdocyon thous)

Abstract

Crab-eating foxes (Cerdocyon thous) are wild canids found in practically all Brazilian states. They usually live and hunt in pairs, but can be found in small groups, which favors the transmission of diseases such as sarcoptic mange. This study aims to describe the epidemiological, parasitological and pathological findings of two fatal cases of sarcoptic mange in C. thous. Two wild canids were necropsied and cytological examination of skin and crust samples and histologic evaluation of various tissue samples were performed. Gross findings included poor body condition and extensive alopecia with thick skin crusts interspersed by intensely reddened alopecic areas. The cytological examination revealed numerous mites with short gnathosoma and rounded idiosoma that were transversally striated and presented triangular spines on the dorsal surface, terminal anus, and short and thick legs, characteristic of Sarcoptes scabiei. Histologic examination of the skin revealed numerous tunnels into and under the stratum corneum of the epidermis containing high amounts of S. scabiei. The mites were associated with marked acanthosis and hyperkeratosis, and mild superficial dermatitis. The findings reveal that sarcoptic mange is an important disease in wild canids.

Epidemiological and Histopathological Investigation of Sarcoptic Mange in Camels in Egypt

“…Along this course, an enormous aggregate of antigenic material is released in the skin, including dead mites, sloughed skin of the living adult and immature mites, and eggshells, leading to an increase the hypersensitivity to the mites [53,54]. Moreover, excavations on the skin, particularly those made by mature females, resulted in induction of thickening of the epidermis and crust formation [55], and these observations are consistent with our present findings. It is noteworthy to mention that the histopathologic findings in the present study were consistent with the macroscopic lesions, which is in agreement with a previously published report [33].…”

Molecular and Pathological Studies on Sarcoptes scabiei in Sheep in Ismailia Province, Egypt.

“…Dermal affections were intradermal proliferation of connective tissue, edema in the papillary layer and severe degenerative and necrotic changes of the hair follicles. Those findings corresponded to the classic description of sarcoptic mange in dogs (Morris, 1996;Teodoro et al, 2018). In addition, the resulted characteristic pruritic ectoparasitism was the appearance of hyperplasia and infiltration of eosinophils (Morris, 1996;Teodoro et al, 2018).…”

“…Those findings corresponded to the classic description of sarcoptic mange in dogs (Morris, 1996;Teodoro et al, 2018). In addition, the resulted characteristic pruritic ectoparasitism was the appearance of hyperplasia and infiltration of eosinophils (Morris, 1996;Teodoro et al, 2018). The occurrence of numerous mast cells in the affected dermis was consistent with the pathogenesis of sarcoptic mange, which is largely associated with hypersensitivity to the mites (Skerratt, 2003).…”

“…In the superficial dermis, infiltrates of cells in a perivascular pattern were detected. A marked acanthosis and hyperkeratosis, predominantly keratotic as well as multifocal mild inflammatory infiltrate, predominantly composed of neutrophils and occasional eosinophils, and superficial bacterial colonies were seen (Teodoro et al, 2018). Subcorneal pustules associated with a discrete lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate were observed in the skin and the superficial dermis of one of the canids (Teodoro et al, 2018).…”

“…A marked acanthosis and hyperkeratosis, predominantly keratotic as well as multifocal mild inflammatory infiltrate, predominantly composed of neutrophils and occasional eosinophils, and superficial bacterial colonies were seen (Teodoro et al, 2018). Subcorneal pustules associated with a discrete lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate were observed in the skin and the superficial dermis of one of the canids (Teodoro et al, 2018). Host-associated populations of S. scabiei are taxonomically divided into morphologically indistinguishable varieties with a high degree of host specificity and a low degree of cross infectivity.…”