First Description of Sarcoptic Mange in a Free-Ranging European Wildcat (Felis silvestris silvestris) from Spain

Abstract

Sarcoptic mange caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei is a worldwide-distributed skin infestation with a wide range of hosts, among them several species within the Felidae family. Sarcoptes scabiei was diagnosed in a dead adult female European wildcat (Felis silvestris silvestris) from Spain, based on histological evaluation of skin biopsies and identification of the arthropod from skin scrapings and molecular methods. This is the first description of Sarcoptes scabiei in a European wildcat. Due to its critical demography in the southernmost population of the Iberian Peninsula, the impacts of infectious diseases, including sarcoptic mange, as a new potential threat should be considered during disease surveillance programs of the species’ populations.

Sarcoptic mange in Felidae: does Sarcoptes scabiei var. felis exist? A first molecular study

“…Sarcoptic mange, also referred to as scabies, is a highly contagious skin disease caused by the burrowing mite Sarcoptes scabiei , affecting 200 million people each year (WHO, 2020 [ 45 ) [ 13 , 17 ] and more than 150 mammal species [ 29 ]. Concerning free-ranging felids, cases have been reported in the Eurasian lynx ( Lynx lynx carpathicus ) [ 35 ], Iberian lynx ( Lynx pardinus ) [ 27 ], and European wild cat ( Felis silvestris silvestris ) [ 26 ] in Europe; Himalayan lynx ( Lynx lynx isabellinus ) [ 11 ] and snow leopard ( Uncia uncia ) (although only clinically suspected) [ 28 ] in Asia; leopard ( Panthera pardus ), lion ( Panthera leo ) and cheetah ( Acinonyx jubatus ) [ 10 ] in Eastern Africa, though not in wild felids in the Americas ( Table 1 ).…”