First report of acariasis by Caparinia tripilis in African hedgehogs, (Atelerix albiventris), in Costa Rica

Abstract

The African hedgehog is one of the newly imported exotic pets which have been observed with increasing regularity in veterinary clinics in Costa Rica. Despite their popularity, information about their diseases is scarce. Within skin diseases of hedgehogs, mange caused by Caparinia spp. is a common diagnosis in other countries. Two adult African hedgehogs, one male and one female, were brought to a private clinic in Heredia, Costa Rica, with chronic pruritic dermatitis, scabs, nearly complete loss of spines, lethargy, dehydration, and weight loss. During physical exam, deposits of dry seborrhea were taken and processed for diagnosis. Microscopic examination revealed psoroptid mites identified as Caparinia tripilis. This is the first report of the presence of Caparinia tripilis in Costa Rica and, to the authors' knowledge, the rest of Central America.Keywords: Erinaceidae, ectoparasites, mange, Psoroptidae, Central America, African hedgehog. ResumoO ouriço africano é um dos animais de estimação exótico, recém-importado que tem sido observado com maior regularidade nas clínicas veterinárias da Costa Rica. Apesar da sua popularidade, informações sobre suas doenças são escassas. Dentre as doenças de pele de ouriços, a sarna causada por Caparinia spp. é um diagnóstico comum nos outros países. Dois adultos ouriços africanos, um macho e uma fêmea, foram levados para uma clínica particular, em Heredia, Costa Rica, com a dermatite pruriginosa crônica, crostas, perda quase completa de espinhos, letargia, desidratação e perda de peso. Ao exame físico, os depósitos de seborreia seca foram retirados e processados para o diagnóstico. O exame microscópico revelou ácaros (psoroptidae) identificados como Caparinia tripilis. Esse é o primeiro relato da presença de Caparinia tripilis na Costa Rica e, para conhecimento dos autores, o resto da América Central.

The dermatitis by Caparinia tripilis and Microsporum , in african pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) in Romania – first report

“…Examination and microphotography of the parasites were made using a Leica ICC 50 HD microscope. Species identification and taxonomic classification of ectoparasites recovered from the skin were made based on morphological characters and morphometric parameters available in the literature (COSOROABĂ, 2000;KIM et al, 2012a;MOREIRA et al, 2013). Cultures from all cutaneous tissues samples were performed on Dermatophyte Test Medium (Merck, Germany).…”

Treatment of mange caused by Caparinia tripilis in native Korean wild hedgehogs (Erinaceus amurensis): a case report

“…Some cases of hedgehog capariniosis have been reported at a zoo (Letcher 1988). Capariniosis in African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) exotic pets was reported in Korea and Costa Rica (Kim et al 2012a;Moreira et al 2013). Capariniosis has also been reported in New Mexico and California, USA (Letcher 1988;Staley et al 1994).…”

Fluralaner as a single dose oral treatment for Caparinia tripilis in a pygmy African hedgehog

“…The African pygmy hedgehog is one of the exotic pets which has been observed with increasing regularity in veterinary clinics . Limited studies on the control of ectoparasitic diseases of hedgehogs are available .…”

“…A study in Chile reported the most common species to be the psoroptid mites Caparinia tripilis and Myocoptes musculinus . Across the world, C. tripilis is common and is capable of causing severe infestations in pygmy hedgehogs . Affected individuals demonstrate intense pruritus, alopecia, dry flaky skin, erythema, brown or white hyperkeratosis, and crusting.…”

“…Spine loss, lichenification and seborrhoea are common clinical signs. Self‐induced skin trauma may lead to secondary infection; severe infestations are often debilitating and may lead to anorexia, dehydration and weight loss . Mortality has been reported in association with self‐trauma and secondary bacterial infection …”