Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
The dog mite, Demodex canis: prevalence, fungal co-infection, reactions to light, and hair follicle apoptosis.
- Journal:
- Journal of insect science (Online)
- Year:
- 2011
- Authors:
- Tsai, Yu-Jen et al.
- Affiliation:
- Taipei City Animal Protection Office
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study in northern Taiwan looked at a type of mite called Demodex canis, which can infect dogs. Out of over a thousand dogs tested, about 7.2% had this mite, with the highest rates seen in winter. The infection was more common in certain breeds, ages, and sexes, and most skin problems were found on the dogs' backs. The researchers also found that some of these infected dogs had a fungal infection, but it was less common. Overall, the study showed that Demodex canis infections are present in dogs, particularly in specific conditions, and highlighted the need for awareness of these infections.
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.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21867442/