Description and epidemiological implications of S. scabiei infection in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) originating from chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra)

Abstract

The authors describe a case of Sarcoptes scabiei transmission from a chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) kid to three roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) fawns kept in captive cohabitation in a wildlife rehabilitation centre for approximately 4 months. Symptoms in the two male fawns started developing 1 week after skin lesions were noticed in the kid, whereas a delayed (75 days later) appearance of scabies signs was observed in the female fawn. A severe generalised form of scabies rapidly developed in a male fawn, but lesions in the other two healed after triple inoculation of ivermectin at 15 days intervals. These roe deer were monitored for specific anti-S. scabiei antibodies with an immunoblotting technique. The strongest antibody response was exhibited during the clinical phase of the infection and then rapidly declined post-treatment. Interestingly, the female fawn developed immunoglobulin G to S. scabiei proteins more than 2 months before the onset of clinical scabies. Since all captive roe deer appeared sensitive to infection with S. scabiei var. rupicaprae, the authors hypothesise that the sporadic frequency of spontaneous scabies in this Cervid host may be attributed to avoidance of direct contacts with moribund or recently dead scabietic chamois, and/or to a self-limiting (and therefore difficult to detect) course of the disease after infrequent infectious contacts and/or exposure to lower infectious doses than in the described episode.

First report of interspecific transmission of sarcoptic mange from Iberian ibex to wild boar

“…The clinical outcome of sarcoptic mange after interspecific cross-transmission does not depend only on the phylogenetic relationship between the host species, but also on the host immunity and status. This is shown by the different clinical course of each one of the three naïve roe deer that incidentally developed sarcoptic mange after being housed with a mangy chamois [ 23 ]. Therefore, wildb1 might have developed clinical mange partly because its own immune status or previous conditions, apart from exposure to the mite.…”

Sarcoptic mange in the wild boar, Sus scrofa, in Sweden

“…With a low prevalence of sarcoptic mange in the Swedish population of domestic pigs, and the disease eradicated from most commercial herds or kept under control with routine medication in others ( Jacobson et al., 2000 ), it is not clear if or how the wild boar could contract sarcoptic mange from farmed pigs. The fact that Sarcoptes mites only live for short periods of time off their host means that a close, often direct contact between different host species is necessary ( Menzano et al., 2008 ; Mounsey et al, 2010 ). It is possible that the sporadic wild boar cases are due to contact with dead or debilitated mangy red foxes, since the Scandinavian red fox population has suffered from sarcoptic mange since the mid 1970ʼs ( Borg, 1987 ).…”

The treatment of sarcoptic mange in wildlife: a systematic review

“…colony-wide treatment)Mild to moderatea) Ivermectin;b) Prednisolonea) 400 µg/kg SC;b) 2 ml IMa) 4;b) 4a) 7 days;b) 7 days104 weeksRaccoon dog ( Nyctereutes procyonoides ), Kido et al (2014) [27]68Moderate to severeIvermectin400 µg/kg SC214 days18 weeks on average157Moderate to severea) Ivermectin;b) Cephalexin;c) Lactated Ringer’s solutiona) 400 µg/kg SC;b) 20 mg/kg PO;c) Intravenousa) 3;b) 14;c) 1a) 14 days;b) 12 hours;c) na18 weeks on averageSouthern hairy-nosed wombat ( Lasiorhinus latrifrons ), Ruykys et al (2013) [24]2/5 (i.e. captive wombats)SevereIvermectin200 µg/kg SC1na7–10 weeks, depending on the animalAfrican buffalo ( Syncerus caffer ), Munang’Andu et al (2010) [26]77Mild to severeIvermectin200 µg/kg SC430 days6 weeksRoe deer ( Capreolus capreolus ), Menzano et al (2008) [20]3Moderate to severeIvermectin300 µg/kg SC315 days52 weeksBare-nosed wombat ( Vombatus ursinus ), Skerratt et al (2003) [28]2/7 (i.e. Experiment one)Mild to severea) Ivermectin;b) Procaine penicillin;c) Benzaine penicillina) 300 µg/kg SC;b) 15 mg/kg IM;c) 11 mg/kg IMa) 3;b) 1;c) 1a) 10 days;b) na;c) na22 weeks7/7 (i.e.…”

“…Four studies documented adverse side effects following administration of subcutaneous ivermectin or adjunctive therapies. Side effects included severely loose stools [ 18 ], profuse watery diarrhoea [ 9 ] and death [ 19 , 20 ]. Of the remaining 24 studies, only three studies specifically monitored for or stated an absence of deleterious side effects following treatments [ 21 – 23 ].…”

“…However, according to Skerratt et al [ 28 ], there is the potential for drug toxicity, especially in animals severely debilitated by mange, because of an alteration in the pharmacokinetic properties of the drug. From this literature review, the risk of toxicity from injectable ivermectin within the range of 200–1000 µg/kg appears to be low: only four studies reported adverse side effects following the delivery of ivermectin, including diarrhoea [ 9 , 18 ] or death in a compromised individual [ 19 , 20 ]. However, the link between drug delivery and side effects was tenuous and death may have occurred as a result of the primary disease process or the stress of handling.…”