roberto.coellope@ug.edu.ec

First report of Cheyletiella sp. in domestic cats from Ecuador

Primer reporte de Cheyletiella sp. en gatos domésticos de Ecuador

Roberto Darwin Coello-Peralta.

Magister en Microbiología-mención Biomédica, Docente-

Investigador de la Universidad de Guayaquil, Guayaquil,

Ecuador, roberto.coellope@ug.edu.ec, https://orcid.org/0000-

0001-5152-2843

Joseph Jair Chávez Fernández.

Médico Veterinario-Zootecnista, Universidad de Guayaquil,

Guayaquil, Ecuador, joseph.chavezf@ug.edu.ec,

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0938-2650

María de Lourdes Salazar Mazamba.

PhD en Animal Science, Docente-Investigador de la

Universidad de Guayaquil, Guayaquil, Ecuador,

maría.salazarma@ug.edu.ec, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3402-

8058

Enrique Xavier Rodríguez Burnham.

Magister en Microbiología-mención Biomédica, Docente-

Investigador de la Universidad de Guayaquil, Guayaquil,

Ecuador, xavier.rodriguezb@ug.edu.ec, https://orcid.org/0000-

0002-4275-3831

Abstract

The present study aimed to determine the presence of Cheyletiella sp. in domestic cats that attended the

"Israel Veterinary Clinic", located in Cdla. Garzota 2 of the city of Guayaquil, which is characterized

by treating cases of dermatopathies in felines. The casuistry of this study ran from February 5 to July

5, 2016; For the identification of the ectoparasite, the method of superficial scraping of the skin with

mineral oil was used, through a descriptive-cross-sectional and prospective study. Of a total of 102

felines aged between 6 months and 8 years, 30 animals (29.41%) presented dermatitis due to mites, and

15 cases were due to Cheyletiella sp. (14.70%). On the other hand, 70 owners of domestic cats were

interviewed, of which 3 (4.28%) presented cases of persistent dermatitis with priritus. This study

reliably reports the first cases of infection by Cheyletiella spp. in Ecuador, where the current

environmental conditions have contributed to the presentation of new parasitological cases, constituting

an animal health and public health problem.

Keywords: Pruritus, feline, alopecia, mite, scabies

http://centrosuragraria.com/index.php/revista, Published by: Edwards Deming Institute,

Quito - Ecuador, July - September vol. 1. Num. 14. 2022, This work is licensed under a

Creative Commons License, Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International.

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.es

Received January 14, 2022

Approved: June 12, 2022

Resumen

El presente estudio tuvo por objetivo determinar la presencia de Cheyletiella sp. en gatos domésticos

que acudieron a la “Clínica Veterinaria Israel”, ubicada en la Cdla. Garzota 2 de la ciudad de Guayaquil,

la cual se caracteriza por atender casos de dermatopatias en felinos. La casuística del presente estudio

transcurrió entre el 05 de febrero al 5 de julio del 2016; para la identificación del ectoparásito, se utilizó

el método de raspado superficial de la piel con aceite mineral, mediante un estudio de tipo descriptivo-

transversal y prospectivo. De un total de 102 felinos con edades entre 6 meses a 8 años, 30 animales

(29,41%) presentaron dermatitis por ácaros, y 15 casos fueron de Cheyletiella sp. (14,70%). Por otra

parte, se entrevistaron a 70 propietarios de mascotas de los cuales 3 (4,28%) presentaron casos de

dermatitis persistente con prurito. Este estudio informa de manera fehaciente los primeros casos de

infección por Cheyletiella spp. en Ecuador, donde las condiciones ambientales actuales han contribuido

a la presentación de nuevos casos parasitológicos, constituyendo un problema de salud animal y salud

pública.

Palabras clave: Prurito, felino, alopecia, ácaro, sarna.

Introduction

Scabies or acariasis is a skin disease present in some mammals and constitutes a serious Animal

Health problem (OIE, 2019, p. 15), is produced by mites, which are arachnids (Taylor et ál.,

2015) highly contagious in susceptible species but highly species specific, however, certain

species can be transmitted to humans (zoonoses) (Mayer & Donnelly, 2012).

Generally, the acariasis in domestic cats is caused by: Notoedres cati, Cheyletiella blakei y

Otodectes cynotis (Jofré et ál., 2009). In the case of cheyletielosis, it is caused by Cheyletiella

sp. of the suborder Prostigmata, family Cheyletidae, measure 300 to 530 µm of long, they have

an elongated rhomboid shape and are distinguished by a strongly striated cuticle with one or

two dorsal scutes (Taylor et ál., 2015). The body, mouthparts, and legs have a number of

relatively long, simple or barbed bristles, with distinct patterns on each; the anterior mouthparts

are large (OIE, 2019, p. 15) and something that is very important for its identification is that

Cheyletiella is characterized by having a claw on each palp directed towards the mouthparts

and its legs ending in a double row of hairs instead of suckers.(Jofré et al., 2009), it usually has

comb-shaped nails at the end of each of the legs (Rodríguez Vivas, 2015, p. 493).

There are 3 species of Cheyletiella that infect domestic cats; C. yasguri, C. blakei (Lane et ál.,

1987) and C. parasitovorax (Moxham et ál., 1968), They were described as a cause of

dermatitis in man for the first time in 1918 in Copenhague (Jofré et al., 2009). The three species

are morphologically very similar; however, at the knee of the first pair of legs is the solenidion

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July - September vol. 1. Num. 14 2022

what in C. parasitivorax is globose, in C. blakei is conical and in C. yasguri has shape of heart

(Taylor et ál., 2015).

This genus has its habitat on the surface (it does not burrow) and live in the keratin layer of the

skin and fur of several definitive hosts, which can be dogs, cats or rabbits (Mayer & Donnelly,

2012). The prevalence of Cheyletiella sp. is up to 20% in houses with infested animals, being

possible to find it on floors and carpets (Jofré et al., 2009).

This acarus feeds on keratin debris and tissue fluids. (Dobrosavljevic et al., 2007; Rodríguez

Vivas, 2015, p. 493) presents a cycle that includes the stages of egg, larva, nymph and adult,

with a complete development time of 35 days (Bronswijk & de Kreek, 1976). Transmitted

directly from one host to another and by fomites, fleas, lice, or flies (Jofré et al., 2009).

Cheyletielosis in animals is very common on the back, shoulders and neck, however, they can

include signs such as: layers of unkempt hair, inflammation, itching, alopecia, hyperkeratosis

and abundant dandruff (in powder form) to which called "walking dandruff" (OIE, 2019, p. 15;

Taylor et al., 2015).

In humans, this disease produces pruritic, papular, papulovesicular lesions, urticarial

ecchymosis, vesiculobullous eruptions or excoriations, and pruritus. (Cohen, 1980, p. 3; Mayer

& Donnelly, 2012; Wagner & Stallmeister, 2000) and is very common in arms and legs (Rosen,

2011, p. 5) the presence of erythematous lesions with a central crust, being very common in

children, veterinarians, farmers and immunosuppressed (Jofré et ál., 2009).

Ecuador registers a prevalence of acariasis in domestic cats of up to 24%(Aguilar, 2016, p. 94),

but this is the first report of this acarus, with the objective of alerting animal health authorities,

public health, health professionals and to inform the population in order to guide them in

prevention efforts. Therefore, the objective of this article is to report the evidence for

Cheyletiella sp. in areas of the urban sector of the Guayaquil city.

Materials and methods

Area and time of Study

The study was carried out at the "Israel Veterinary Clinic", located in Cdla. Garzota 2nd stage

of the city of Guayaquil, located in the northern part of the city, province of Guayas, on the

Ecuadorian coast (Google-Maps, 2018, p. 2), its geographical coordinates are 2° 12' 21.02" of

South latitude, 79° 54' 28.62" of West longitude (Antipodas.net, 2018, p. 2). It is the city with

the highest population density in Ecuador, with 2' 644 891 persons (INEC, 2017, p. 3). A

descriptive, cross-sectional and prospective study was carried out between February 5 and July

5, 2016 and 102 house cats were investigated, presented by 70 owners/representatives.

Survey and sampling

The study and the risk of acariasis in their environment were explained to the owners of

domestic cats who attended the "Israeli Veterinary Clinic", after their consent, a survey was

applied to 70 people.

The survey presented the following questions: age, sex, breed of the animal, signs of acariasis

(animal data); Pet owners were also asked about: how many people live in the house, how

many animals they own, their domestic cats have contact with family members, the presence

of immunosuppressed patients, and the presence of people with symptoms similar to acariasis.

The 102 domestic cats were analyzed at the "Israeli Veterinary Clinic", located in Cdla. Garzota

2nd stage between the streets, Av. Agustin Freire Mz. 130, house 12 (Google-Maps, 2018, p.

2).

For sampling, the procedures described by Hnilica and Patterson (2016) were followed, for

which the excess hair was removed, then the skin was superficially scraped with mineral oil

and a number 10 scalpel in the area of the chin, back and ears of each cat; then the present

specimen was mounted on a glass slide.

Laboratory analysis

The method used was the superficial scraping of the skin with mineral oil and extended on a

plate, later it was observed under an optical microscope using 40X and 100X objectives. For

the analysis and interpretation of data, characteristics or keys described by Taylor et al. (2015);

The dimensions of the acarus range from 300 to 530 µm long, elongated rhomboid shape,

strongly striated cuticle with one or two dorsal shields, large mouthparts, on each palp a claw

directed towards the mouthparts, four pairs of legs, legs ending in a double row of hairs (Saevik

et ál., 2004; Taylor et ál., 2015).

Result

Of a total of 102 cats studied, aged between 6 months to 8 years, 15 cases of Cheyletiella sp.

(14.70%).

Regarding the data obtained from the surveys carried out on the owners of domestic cats, it

follows that: 55% of the cats were male and 45% female, 60% were mestizo cats and 40%

belonged to one of the different domestic cat breeds, 30 cats (29.41%) presented signs similar

to acariasis. The 70 people surveyed stated: that between 5 to 7 people make up their family,

they have 1 to 3 cats, and 1 to 3 dogs, all their domestic cats have contact with other animals

Coello-Peralta, Chávez, Salazar, Rodríguez 2022

July - September vol. 1. Num. 14 2022

and their relatives, they do not have immunocompromised relatives and 3 people (6%)

presented signs similar to acariasis.

Figure 1. Presence of eggs, nymphs and adult stages of Cheyletiella sp. Lugol's stained and

observed at 40X

Considering the morphological similarity of the parasite with those described by (Alvarado,

2012, p. 29); Hnilica and Patterson (2016); Taylor et ál. (2015), Subsequently, Amitraz in

0.25% solution prescribed in rubs every 5 days for 4 to 6 weeks was recommended for the

treatment of infested cats. (Pérez-Tort & Sigal-Escalada, 2006) and topical selamectin (45mg)

(Nolan & Lok, 2012) in a single dose of 6 mg/kg body weight from 8 weeks of age (Chailleux

& Paradis, 2002; Zoetis, 2018, p. 2).

After 8 weeks of treatment, a skin scraping was performed to verify the elimination of the

acarus, showing negativity for the presence of mites, especially Cheyletiella sp.

This is the first case report of Cheyletiella sp. in domestic cats in Ecuador, a tropical country

with favorable environmental conditions for the appearance of new cases of Cheyletielosis in

cats, dogs, rabbits and humans. However, this is not the first case reported in the world, as it

has been identified in countries such as England (Lee, 1981, p. 2), Italy (d'Ovidio & Santoro,

2015), Korea (Kim et ál., 2008), United States (Coman et ál., 1981; Thomas et ál., 2016),

Canada (Scott & Paradis, 1990), Mexico (Alvarado, 2012, p. 29). The structure that was found

presented the same morphological characteristics reported by Hnilica and Patterson (2016);

Taylor et ál. (2015), which suggests the presence of this acarus in Ecuador.

Although there is little information in the world, Mégnin in 1878 was the first to describe adult

mites of Cheyletiella sp., which he named Cheyletus parasitovorax (Bowman et ál., 2002;

GBIF, 2022, p. 1). In cats, the first report of Cheyletiella sp. was made in 1917 in England

(Lee, 1981, p. 2).

In a study carried out in Italy between 2011 and 2012, out of a total of 455 pet store rabbits, a

14.9% prevalence of C. parasitovorax was described (d'Ovidio & Santoro, 2015).

Between 2006 and 2007, in South Korea, C. parasitovorax was determined in 80 rabbits, out

of a total of 140 rabbits, registering a prevalence of 57.14%. In the United States, there are

different prevalences of Cheyletiella blakey that have been determined in domestic cats: 0,8%

(Coman et ál., 1981), 0,9% (Thomas et ál., 2016), 26,19% (Fox & Reed, 1978); in Canada of

a total of 111 cats, 10 were confirmed for C. blakey (9%) (Scott & Paradis, 1990) and in Mexico

the presence of Cheyletiella sp. was determined at the Small Species Hospital of the

Autonomous Agrarian University Antonio Narro, in a rabbit that lived with a dog and a cat

(Alvarado, 2012, p. 29).

On the other hand, in Ecuador the presence of Cheyletiella sp. has not been determined,

however, using parasitological techniques described by Hnilica and Patterson (2016), a 14.70%

prevalence of the acarus was determined., what is among the parameters registered in the world,

which is between 0.8 (Coman et ál., 1981) to 26,19% (Fox & Reed, 1978). Likewise, in this

study signs similar to acariasis were presented both in cats and in their owners, this shows an

active transmission between them, on the other hand, there is a risk of transmission to humans

and other domestic animals.

Conclusions

This study determines the first report of Cheyletiella sp. in domestic cats of a tropical region

of the Ecuadorian coast and the presence of 3 cases in owners, therefore, the acarid zoonosis

is evident, which reveals the latent risk of the presentation of new cases of this acariasis.

Acknowledgments

To Dr. Heraldo Barzola Castro for allowing us to work at the “Israel Veterinary Clinic” during

this investigation.

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