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Kelly PA, Browne J, Peters S, Bell F, McKay JS, Lara-Saez I, Breathnach R. Gene expression analysis of Canine Demodicosis; A milieu promoting immune tolerance. Vet Parasitol 2023; 319:109954. [PMID: 37163871 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2023.109954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Canine demodicosis is a common skin disease seen in companion animal practice that results from an overpopulation of the commensal Demodex mite species. Common predisposing factors to the development of canine demodicosis include immunosuppressive diseases, such as neoplasia and hypothyroidism, and administration of immunosuppressive therapies, such as corticosteroids. Despite this, the pathogenesis of development of canine demodicosis remains unclear. Previous studies have implicated a role for increased expression of toll like receptor 2 (TLR2), increased production of interleukin (IL)-10) and T cell exhaustion. Here, we investigate gene expression of formalin fixed paraffin embedded skin samples from twelve cases of canine demodicosis in comparison to twelve healthy controls, using a 770 gene panel (NanoString Canine IO Panel). Results show an increase in the T cell population, specifically Th1 and Treg cells in dogs with demodicosis. In addition, while there is an upregulation of immunosuppressive cytokines such as IL-10 and IL-13, there is also an upregulation of immune check point molecules including PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4. These findings suggest that Demodex spp. mites are modulating the host immune system to their advantage through upregulation of several immune tolerance promoting pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela A Kelly
- University College Dublin, School of Veterinary Medicine, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
| | - John Browne
- University College Dublin, School of Agriculture and Food Science, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Susan Peters
- University College Dublin, School of Veterinary Medicine, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Frazer Bell
- University of Glasgow, School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, Bearsden, Glasgow G61 1QH, United Kingdom
| | - Jennifer S McKay
- IDEXX Laboratories, Grange House, Sandbeck Way, Wetherby LS22 7DN, United Kingdom
| | - Irene Lara-Saez
- Charles Institute of Dermatology, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Rory Breathnach
- University College Dublin, School of Veterinary Medicine, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
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Rieger A, Just FT, Michelakaki E, Eddicks L, Gager AM, Schöl H, Gohl C, Steinmetz HW, Blutke AF, Denk D. Demodex carolliae in a colony of Seba's short-tailed bats (Carollia perspicillata): clinical, pathological and parasitological findings. J Comp Pathol 2023; 203:5-12. [PMID: 37119605 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2023.03.185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
Seba's short-tailed bats (Carollia perspicillata) are a frugivorous species native to Central and South America. Despite their importance as a reservoir for zoonotic pathogens and their popularity in zoological collection and as research models, there are relatively few reports on non-zoonotic diseases of bats. Mites of the genus Demodex are obligate commensals of the skin of a range of mammals, are highly host-specific and are not associated with clinical disease when present in low numbers. However, infestation with high numbers can result in severe or even fatal disease and substantially affect the well-being of the animals. The clinical, pathological and parasitological findings in 12 Seba's short-tailed bats with demodicosis from a colony kept at Munich Zoo Hellabrunn between 1992 and 2021 are described in this report. From 2002, skin lesions became apparent on the head, especially the periocular region, nose and ears, as well as the genital area of some animals. In advanced cases, skin changes were also present on the abdomen, back and extremities. Gross findings typically included alopecia and thickening of the skin, with the formation of papules, reflecting cystically dilated hair follicles containing myriads of demodecid mites. Histologically, lesions were characterized by a paucicellular lymphocytic dermatitis and folliculitis with perifollicular fibrosis, epidermal hyperplasia, orthokeratotic hyperkeratosis and disproportionately high numbers of intrafollicular arthropods. Demodex carolliae was identified morphologically by light, phase-contrast and electron microscopy. Further characterization was achieved by extraction of parasitic DNA and partial gene sequencing of two mitochondrial genes, 16S rDNA and cox1. This is the first clinicopathological description of generalized demodicosis in Seba's short-tailed bats and includes the first molecular characterization of D. carolliae with provision of a GenBank entry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Rieger
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Center for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Veterinaerstr. 13, 80539 Munich, Germany
| | - Frank T Just
- Department for Pathology, Parasitology and Bee Diseases, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Veterinaerstrasse 2, 85764 Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - Effrosyni Michelakaki
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Center for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Veterinaerstr. 13, 80539 Munich, Germany
| | - Lina Eddicks
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Center for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Veterinaerstr. 13, 80539 Munich, Germany
| | - Anna M Gager
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Center for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Veterinaerstr. 13, 80539 Munich, Germany
| | - Heidrun Schöl
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Center for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Veterinaerstr. 13, 80539 Munich, Germany
| | - Christine Gohl
- Münchener Tierpark Hellabrunn AG, Tierparkstr. 30, 81543 Munich, Germany
| | | | - Andreas F Blutke
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Center for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Veterinaerstr. 13, 80539 Munich, Germany
| | - Daniela Denk
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Center for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Veterinaerstr. 13, 80539 Munich, Germany.
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Kelly PA, McKay JS, Maguire D, Jones M, Roberts L, Powell F, Breathnach R. A retrospective study of cases of canine demodicosis submitted to a commercial diagnostic laboratory servicing the United Kingdom and Ireland (2017-2018): Part 1 - Signalment, lesion distribution, treatments, and concurrent diseases. Res Vet Sci 2022; 153:99-104. [PMID: 36334408 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2022.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Canine demodicosis, due to an overpopulation of Demodex spp. mites, remains one of the most common dermatological diseases encountered in small animal practice. The aims of this study were to interrogate submitted histories and diagnostic report results from a large cohort of dogs (n = 508) diagnosed with demodicosis either through histological analysis or the finding of Demodex spp. mites on skin scrapings by a UKAS accredited commercial laboratory servicing the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland in the years 2017 and 2018. The main findings revealed that short-coated breeds were more likely to develop juvenile-onset (JO) demodicosis, whereas medium- and long-coated breeds were more likely to develop adult-onset (AO) disease. Pododemodicosis was reported more commonly in adult, long-coated breeds. Skin scrapings were positive in only 83.3% of samples that had a corresponding positive biopsy result; this finding highlights the necessity to perform further diagnostic tests if demodicosis remains clinically suspected despite a negative skin scraping result. Concurrent underlying diseases, potentially associated with immunosuppression, were reported in 42/221 (19%) of dogs with AO demodicosis. Serum allergy and Sarcoptes ELISA assays were positive in individual animals in both the JO and AO groups; the clinical significance of these latter findings requires careful interpretation in dogs with confirmed demodicosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela A Kelly
- University College Dublin Veterinary Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland; The Charles Institute of Dermatology, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
| | - Jennifer S McKay
- IDEXX Laboratories, Grange House, Sandbeck Way, Wetherby LS22 7DN, United Kingdom.
| | - David Maguire
- IDEXX Laboratories, Grange House, Sandbeck Way, Wetherby LS22 7DN, United Kingdom.
| | - Matthew Jones
- IDEXX Laboratories, Grange House, Sandbeck Way, Wetherby LS22 7DN, United Kingdom.
| | - Larry Roberts
- IDEXX Laboratories, Grange House, Sandbeck Way, Wetherby LS22 7DN, United Kingdom.
| | - Frank Powell
- The Charles Institute of Dermatology, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland; The Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Eccles St, Dublin 7, Ireland.
| | - Rory Breathnach
- University College Dublin Veterinary Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
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The Biodiversity of Demodecid Mites (Acariformes: Prostigmata), Specific Parasites of Mammals with a Global Checklist and a New Finding for Demodex sciurinus. DIVERSITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/d12070261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Demodecidae are the most specialized parasitic mites of mammals; they typically inhabit the skin, but they have been found in other tissues and organs. They can cause demodecosis (a disease which is hazardous and difficult to cure) in humans, domestic animals and livestock. They are parasites with high host and topical specificity. They have been found for most orders of mammals, and they are common in the populations of numerous host species. Therefore, they not only constitute an important subject of veterinary and medical study, but also comprise an excellent model for faunistic and parasitological analyses concerning different aspects of functioning and evolution of the host–parasite relationship. The current level or knowledge of demodecid mites is irregular and fragmentary, and numerous questions require elaboration and ordering, from the taxonomic diversity to geographic distribution and relations with hosts. Such data may be of use i.a. for the development of more efficient and reliable diagnostic methods, as well as understanding the etiology and pathogenesis mechanisms of demodecosis, currently a contentious issue. The present paper lists all formally-described valid species of demodecid mites, together with other functioning specific names, verified and with comments on their status. This is significant for correct species identification and demodecosis diagnostics. The list has been drawn up on the basis of data acquired in the period 1842−2020. It contains 122 valid species of parasite, including their hosts and geographic distribution, data on parasitism, as well as only the second record of Demodex sciurinus in Eurasian red squirrel Sciurus vulgaris in over 100 years since its initial discovery.
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Foley R, Kelly P, Gatault S, Powell F. Demodex: a skin resident in man and his best friend. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2020; 35:62-72. [PMID: 32294279 DOI: 10.1111/jdv.16461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Demodex mites are microscopic arachnids found in the normal skin of many mammals. In humans, it is well established that Demodex mite density is higher in patients with the skin condition rosacea, and treatment with acaricidal agents is effective in resolving symptoms. However, pathophysiology of rosacea is complex and multifactorial. In dogs, demodicosis is a significant veterinary issue, particularly the generalized form of the disease which can be fatal if untreated. In each species, clinical and molecular studies have shown that the host's immunological interactions with Demodex mites are an important, but not fully understood, aspect of how Demodex can live in the skin either as a harmless commensal organism or as a pathogenic agent. This review outlines the role of Demodex mites in humans and dogs, considering morphology, prevalence, symptoms, diagnosis, histology treatment and pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Foley
- UCD Charles Institute of Dermatology, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - P Kelly
- UCD Charles Institute of Dermatology, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,UCD School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - S Gatault
- UCD Charles Institute of Dermatology, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,Systems Biology Ireland, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - F Powell
- UCD Charles Institute of Dermatology, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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d'Ovidio D, Santoro D. Prevalence of fur mites (Chirodiscoides caviae) in pet guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) in southern Italy. Vet Dermatol 2014; 25:135-7, e37-8. [DOI: 10.1111/vde.12110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/05/2013] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dario d'Ovidio
- Private practitioner; Via C. Colombo 118 Arzano (Napoli) 80022 Italy
| | - Domenico Santoro
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences; University of Florida; 2015 SW 16th Avenue Gainesville FL 32608 USA
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