Browse by author
Lookup NU author(s): Dr Dave GeorgeORCiD, Dr Olivier Sparagano
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
© 2015 George et al.; licensee BioMed Central. The poultry red mite Dermanyssus gallinae is best known as a threat to the laying-hen industry; adversely affecting production and hen health and welfare throughout the globe, both directly and through its role as a disease vector. Nevertheless, D. gallinae is being increasingly implemented in dermatological complaints in non-avian hosts, suggesting that its significance may extend beyond poultry. The main objective of the current work was to review the potential of D. gallinae as a wider veterinary and medical threat. Results demonstrated that, as an avian mite, D. gallinae is unsurprisingly an occasional pest of pet birds. However, research also supports that these mites will feed from a range of other animals including: cats, dogs, rodents, rabbits, horses and man. We conclude that although reported cases of D. gallinae infesting mammals are relatively rare, when coupled with the reported genetic plasticity of this species and evidence of permanent infestations on non-avian hosts, potential for host-expansion may exist. The impact of, and mechanisms and risk factors for such expansion are discussed, and suggestions for further work made. Given the potential severity of any level of host-expansion in D. gallinae, we conclude that further research should be urgently conducted to confirm the full extent of the threat posed by D. gallinae to (non-avian) veterinary and medical sectors.
Author(s): George DR, Finn RD, Graham KM, Mul MF, Maurer V, Moro CV, Sparagano OA
Publication type: Review
Publication status: Published
Journal: Parasites and Vectors
Year: 2015
Volume: 8
Online publication date: 25/03/2015
Acceptance date: 24/02/2015
ISSN (electronic): 1756-3305
Publisher: BioMed Central Ltd.
URL: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-015-0768-7
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-0768-7
PubMed id: 25884317
