First record of Ornithonyssus bacoti from a domestic pet in the United Kingdom

Abstract

THE tropical rat mite, Ornithonyssus bacoti, is a blood-feeding ectoparasite. It is found on a variety of domesticated and wild mammal and bird species worldwide. In temperate countries, populations evidently originated from ports, where it is believed mites came ashore on ship rats (Evans and Till 1966). The few previously published records for the UK (the first being by Evans and Browning [1955]) and data from specimens deposited in the Natural History Museum, London, suggest that 0 bacoti was introduced into the UK relatively recently. The earliest example in the Natural History Museum collection was found in 1933, with the vast majority of specimens originating from ship rats or buildings near ports, and the remainder originating from house mice in similar situations, a Chinese hamster housed in a zoo and a lesser white-toothed shrew caught in the Scilly Isles. Reports from outside the UK have shown that 0 bacoti may be found on the rat, mouse, hamster, cat and chicken, suggesting that companion animals, laboratory animals, and poultry are all prone to infestation (Baker 1999). 0 bacoti has been associated with pruritus in human beings (Mumcuoglu and Buchheim 1983) and will readily bite people in the absence of its normal rodent hosts. However, despite reports of human infestation in several cities in the UK, normally in commercial or museum buildings (Evans and Browning 1955), there appears to be no detailed information on attacks in this country, probably because symptoms have not been reported or attributed to 0 bacoti. The mite also acts as the intermediate host for Litomosoides carinii, a filarial nematode of rodents and has been shown to FIG 2: (a) Posterior part of dorsal shield of Ornithonyssus bacoti. (b) Posterior part of dorsal shield of Ornithonyssus sylviarum showing the sudden narrowing (arrow). (c) Ventral sternal shield (ss) of 0 bacoti showing a member of the posterior setal pair (arrow). Bars=50 ,um FIG 1: Adult female Ornithonyssus bacoti. Bar=200 pim serve as an experimental vector for murine typhus, Q fever,plague, Chagas' disease and coxsackie virus; however, it appears to be of minor importance as the natural vector for these diseases (Baker 1999). This short communication describes the first record of 0 bacoti infesting a pet hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) in the UK.A pet hamster was boarded at a local pet shop while its owners spent a week camping on the Brest peninsula in France. The family travelled to St Malo from Portsmouth by ferry on August 3, 2002, and returned to their home in Hertfordshire eight days later, leaving their car in the port car park before each ferry crossing. The hamster was collected from the pet shop on August 13, and appeared to be in good health. The owners reported'bites' on two family members on September 1, which warranted medical treatment two days later. However, these may have been associated with a concurrent flea infestation in the house rather than the result of attack by 0 bacoti. At approximately the same time mites were noticed on the hamster, w...

New Building, Old Parasite: Mesostigmatid Mites--An Ever-Present Threat to Barrier Rodent Facilities

“…O. bacoti (syn. Bdellonyssys bacoti, Liponyssys bacoti) (Flynn 1973) has the widest host range, parasitizing a variety of domestic and wild mammals and birds, and is the most commonly reported mesostigmatid mite both in laboratory rodent colonies (Chu and Couto 2005;Cole et al 2005;Coons 2005;Fox 1982;Harris and Stockton 1960;Hill et al 2005;Keefe et al 1964;Kelaher et al 2005;Ram et al 1986) and in human rat mite dermatitis cases (Baumstark et al 2007;Pfister 2004, 2006;Creel et al 2003;Fishman 1988;Fox et al 2004;Pizzi et al 2004;Skirnisson 2001;Theis et al 1981).…”

“…There are, however, sporadic but persistent reports of cases of rat bite dermatitis caused by O. bacoti from rodent-infested buildings and yards or from pet rodents (Baumstark et al 2007;Pfister 2004, 2006;Creel et al 2003;Fishman 1988;Fox et al 2004;Pizzi et al 2004;Skirnisson 2001;Theis et al 1981).…”

Parasitic Diseases

“…453,454 The " tropical " designation is misleading as the mite can be found throughout the world. bacoti , the tropical rat mite, is a hematophagous mite that can be found on a variety of wild and captive small mammals and birds worldwide.…”

“…453,454 The " tropical " designation is misleading as the mite can be found throughout the world. 454 Diagnosis is based on the identifi cation of mites on the animal or in its environment. 453,454 O. bacoti will bite humans, resulting in dermatitis.…”

“…454 Diagnosis is based on the identifi cation of mites on the animal or in its environment. 453,454,461,462 In one case report, transmission of O. bacoti from a pet hamster was suspected based on the development of infection after contact with the animal. Unfed mites are graywhite and often very active, while fed mites are darker, red -brown, and sluggish.…”