First report of Straelensia cynotis Fain and Le Net, 2000 (Trombidiformes: Leeuwenhoekiidae) parasitizing Capra pyrenaica (Artiodactyla: Bovidae) with histopathological analysis

ABSTRACT

The chigger mite Straelensia cynotis Fain and Le Net, 2000 is the etiological agent of a trombiculiasis characterized by nodular dermatitis known as “straelensiosis”. Until now, dogs and cats were the known hosts of this mite. This study is the first record of S. cynotis parasitizing an Artiodactylan host, Capra pyrenaica Schinz. Additionally, this case report describes the lesions caused by this mite and observes a focally extensive, hyperpigmented and lichenified skin lesion in the left hind leg. Histologically, the lesion was characterized by pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia with perifollicular mucinosis. In the margins, each dilated follicle contained a larval mite.

KEYWORDS:

• Straelensia cynotis
• Artiodactyla
• Capra pyrenaica
• Iberian ibex
• dermatitis

Acknowledgments

The research activities of JMP are partially funded by the Plan Andaluz de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación (PAIDI) (RNM-118 group). We are grateful to the rangers and director of the National Game Reserve for their invaluable collaboration in the wildlife passive surveillance program in Catalonia and for reporting and bringing cases to our facilities at the veterinary faculty (SEFaS). This passive surveillance program is supported by the Subdirecció General d’Activitats Cinegètiques I Pesca Continental from the Departament d'Agricultura, Ramaderia Pesca i Alimentació of the Government of Catalonia.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Subdirecció General d’Activitats Cinegètiques I Pesca Continental from the Departament d'Agricultura, Ramaderia Pesca i Alimentació of the Government of Catalonia; Plan Andaluz de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación (PAIDI) [RNM-118 group].