A previously unidentified Chorioptes species infesting outer ear canals of moose (Alces alces): characterization of the mite and the pathology of infestation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>During the past decade, <it>Chorioptes </it>mites occupying the outer ear canals have been a common finding at routine necropsies of moose (<it>Alces alces</it>) in Sweden, but neither the taxonomy of the mites nor lesions from the infestation have been investigated. In this study, the mites are characterized by morphological and molecular techniques, and the histopathology of the skin of the outer ear canal is described.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>External auditory meatuses from 53 necropsied moose were examined for the presence of <it>Chorioptes</it>, and samples from outer ear canals were taken for histopathological and microbiological examination. A proportion of the mites from each moose was identified to species. The DNA was extracted from mites from three moose, and their ITS-2 sequences were determined; these sequences were compared phylogenetically to sequences from other <it>Chorioptes </it>taxa.</p> <p>Results</p> <p><it>Chorioptes </it>mites were found in 43 (81%) of the 53 moose. The mites had morphological and genetic characteristics distinct from those of <it>C. texanus </it>and <it>C. bovis</it>, the two species generally accepted within the genus. Morphology also did not argue for a diagnosis as <it>C. crewei</it>, <it>C. mydaus </it>or <it>C. panda</it>. On histopathology, lesions were characterized by a hyperplastic perivascular to interstitial dermatitis with epidermal hyperkeratosis and crust formation. Dermal inflammatory infiltrates were composed of mixed T- and B-lymphocytes, plasma cells and macrophages, whereas eosinophils were notably uncommon. <it>Staphylococcus aureus </it>was grown from the infested epidermis of five of 14 examined moose.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p><it>Chorioptes </it>mite infestation was frequently detected in the outer ear canals of moose in Sweden. The mites were evidently pathogenic, being associated with inflammatory lesions of the external auditory meatus. Our studies indicate infestations with a previously undescribed <it>Chorioptes </it>species.</p

Zoonotic Potential of Enterocytozoon bieneusi

The reservoirs and the modes of transmission of the most frequent microsporidial species in humans, Enterocytozoon bieneusi, are still unknown. We have examined fecal samples of 26 humans and 350 animals from 37 species to find 18 samples containing this parasite from humans, cats, pigs, cattle, and a llama. Genotypic characterization of the internal transcribed spacer of the rRNA gene resulted in 14 different genotypes, 6 of them previously undescribed. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the lack of a transmission barrier between E. bieneusi from humans and animals (cats, pigs, and cattle). Thus, E. bieneusi appears to be a zoonotic pathogen

A previously unidentified species infesting outer ear canals of moose (): characterization of the mite and the pathology of infestation-0

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "A previously unidentified species infesting outer ear canals of moose (): characterization of the mite and the pathology of infestation"</p><p>http://www.actavetscand.com/content/49/1/21</p><p>Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica 2007;49(1):21-21.</p><p>Published online 10 Sep 2007</p><p>PMCID:PMC2040144.</p><p></p

A previously unidentified species infesting outer ear canals of moose (): characterization of the mite and the pathology of infestation-6

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "A previously unidentified species infesting outer ear canals of moose (): characterization of the mite and the pathology of infestation"</p><p>http://www.actavetscand.com/content/49/1/21</p><p>Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica 2007;49(1):21-21.</p><p>Published online 10 Sep 2007</p><p>PMCID:PMC2040144.</p><p></p> seta 5 cannot be seen. collected from cattle in Gemany. sampled from horse in Germany

A previously unidentified species infesting outer ear canals of moose (): characterization of the mite and the pathology of infestation-4

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "A previously unidentified species infesting outer ear canals of moose (): characterization of the mite and the pathology of infestation"</p><p>http://www.actavetscand.com/content/49/1/21</p><p>Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica 2007;49(1):21-21.</p><p>Published online 10 Sep 2007</p><p>PMCID:PMC2040144.</p><p></p>ltifocal crust formation (arrows) and mixed inflammation in dermis. HE. Haemorrhagic crust with embedded cross-sectioned mite (arrow), on epidermis. HE. Dermal inflammation, showing lymphocytes, plasma cells and some macrophages with a perivascular to interstitial distribution. HE. Immunohistochemistry for CD3 F7.2.38 (T-lymphocytes stained brown), showing perivascular infiltrate of T-lymphocytes and plasma cells in deeper parts of the dermis. En-Visionwith haematoxylin

A previously unidentified species infesting outer ear canals of moose (): characterization of the mite and the pathology of infestation-1

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "A previously unidentified species infesting outer ear canals of moose (): characterization of the mite and the pathology of infestation"</p><p>http://www.actavetscand.com/content/49/1/21</p><p>Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica 2007;49(1):21-21.</p><p>Published online 10 Sep 2007</p><p>PMCID:PMC2040144.</p><p></p> seta 5 cannot be seen. collected from cattle in Gemany. sampled from horse in Germany

A previously unidentified species infesting outer ear canals of moose (): characterization of the mite and the pathology of infestation-5

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "A previously unidentified species infesting outer ear canals of moose (): characterization of the mite and the pathology of infestation"</p><p>http://www.actavetscand.com/content/49/1/21</p><p>Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica 2007;49(1):21-21.</p><p>Published online 10 Sep 2007</p><p>PMCID:PMC2040144.</p><p></p

A previously unidentified species infesting outer ear canals of moose (): characterization of the mite and the pathology of infestation-3

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "A previously unidentified species infesting outer ear canals of moose (): characterization of the mite and the pathology of infestation"</p><p>http://www.actavetscand.com/content/49/1/21</p><p>Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica 2007;49(1):21-21.</p><p>Published online 10 Sep 2007</p><p>PMCID:PMC2040144.</p><p></p> dermis

A previously unidentified species infesting outer ear canals of moose (): characterization of the mite and the pathology of infestation-2

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "A previously unidentified species infesting outer ear canals of moose (): characterization of the mite and the pathology of infestation"</p><p>http://www.actavetscand.com/content/49/1/21</p><p>Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica 2007;49(1):21-21.</p><p>Published online 10 Sep 2007</p><p>PMCID:PMC2040144.</p><p></p> The scale indicates the expected number of nucleotide substitutions. Database accession numbers of the sequences are given in brackets. The sequences from the mites from Swedish moose are in boldface