The seroprevalence of Sarcoptes scabiei var. canis and its associated risk factors in dogs in Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the use of SARCOPTES-ELISA DOG KIT as a diagnostic tool in detecting anti-mite antibodies, establishing the prevalence of scabies in dogs and the associated risk factors of canine mange occurrence. A total of 384 dogs (149 males and 235 females) were randomly sampled from eight local government areas. The prevalence of canine sarcopticosis was found to be 67.45% (259/384) using the ELISA kit. ELISA test had a 96.4% sensitivity against microscopy test (21.42%) as skin scrapping with microscopy demonstrated mites in 12 out of 56 dogs, while ELISA detected antibodies in 54 out of the 56 dogs presented to treatment facilities. A significantly higher seroprevalence was found in the female dogs (P = .019), indigenous dog breeds (P = .01), dogs presented to government facilities for treatment (P = .000), and dogs with active lesions less than the palm of the hand (P = .000). There was no association between the age of dogs and scabies seroprevalence. Skin scrapping still remains ideal and unique in specific mite detection, but its deficiency in sensitivity can best be complimented with the use of a more sensitive ELISA diagnostic kit.

KEYWORDS:

• Diagnosis
• ELISA
• Sarcoptes
• scabiei
• mange
• dogs
• prevalence
• Ibadan

Conflict of interest

Authors declare no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not for profit sectors.