The dog mite, Demodex canis: Prevalence, fungal co-infection, reactions to light, and hair follicle apoptosis
Journal
Journal of Insect Science
Journal Volume
11
Date Issued
2011
Author(s)
Tsai, Yu-Jen
Chung, Wen-Cheng
Wang, Lian-Chen
Hong, Chin-Lin
Tsai, Yu-Yang
Li, Yi-Hung
Wu, Ying-Ling
Abstract
Infection rate, reaction to light, and hair follicle apoptosis are examined in the dogmite, Demodex canis Leydig (Prostigmata: Demodicidae), in dogs from the northern area of Taiwan. An analysis of relevant samples revealed 7.2% (73/1013) prevalence of D. canis infection. Infection during the investigation peaked each winter, with an average prevalence of 12.5% (32/255). The infection rates significantly varied in accordance with month, sex, age, and breed (p < 0.05). Most of the lesions were discovered on the backs of the infected animals, where the infection rate was 52.1% (38/73) (P < 0.05). The epidemiologic analysis of infection based on landscape area factor, found that employing a map-overlapping method showed a higher infection rate in the eastern distribution of Taiwan's northern area than other areas. Isolation tests for Microsporum canis Bodin (Onygenales: Arthrodermataceae) and Trichophyton mentagrophyte Robin (Blanchard) on the D. canis infected dogs revealed prevalence rates of 4.4% (2/45) and 2.2% (1/45), respectively. Observations demonstrated that D. canis slowly moved from a light area to a dark area. Skin samples were examined for cellular apoptosis by activated caspase3 immunohistochemical staining. Cells that surrounded the infected hair follicles were activated caspase3-positive, revealing cell apoptosis in infected follicles via the activation of caspase3.
Subjects
fungi; map overlay; Taiwan
SDGs
Other Subjects
animal; animal disease; apoptosis; article; comorbidity; dermatomycosis; dog; dog disease; eosinophil; female; hair follicle; host parasite interaction; isolation and purification; leukocyte count; light; male; microbiology; Microsporum; mite; mite infestation; parasitology; pathology; physiology; prevalence; Taiwan; Trichophyton
Type
journal article