Parasitic Mite Fauna in Asian Poultry Farming Systems

Abstract

The ubiquitous presence of hematophagous avian mites threatens the poultry industry in Asia and worldwide, adversely affecting the quality and quantity of eggs and poultry meat produced by affected flocks. This leads to considerable economic loss and welfare-related issues. The role of these blood-feeding arthropods as disease vectors is increasingly recognized as they may carry important zoonotic and epizootic pathogens. The poultry mites, Dermanyssus gallinae (Poultry Red Mite-PRM), Ornithonysus sylviarum (Northern Fowl Mite-NFM), and Ornithonyssus bursa (Tropical Fowl Mite-TFM) are endemic species across the Asian continent. In less frequency, scaly leg mite, depluming mite, and fowl cyst mite were documented. Considering global climate change and the popularity of backyard farming, the incidence of avian mite infestation is expected to increase as Asian production expands. The TFM may start to colonize subtropical nations where the seasonal temperature is comparable to tropical regions. Pyrethroids, organophosphates, carbamates, and macrocyclic lactones are licensed acaricides for use in China, Japan, and India. In recent years, the development of acaricide resistance has compromised the efficacy of chemical control measures. Several botanical acaricides based on plant and fungal constituents are being investigated. Judicious integration of multiple approaches to manage poultry mite infestation is advised. In this article, we review the prevalence, geographical distribution, zoonotic potential, and control measures of avian mites in poultry farms in Asia.

Suspected Laminosioptes cysticola (fowl cyst mite) lesions in backyard chickens in southern England

“…The mite seems to have a worldwide distribution and has been reported in chicken in Mexico, 10 India, 14 Brazil, 15 Zimbabwe, 16 Iran, 17,18 and Holland 19 and in chicken 20 and turkeys in the United States 9 ; in the latter case, affected peripheral nerves produced torticollis in the live animal. It seems from the reports that the Laminosioptiosis does not cause significant clinical disease in the vast majority of cases and is detected incidentally.…”

Entomopathogenic Fungi and Bacteria in a Veterinary Perspective

“…Although birds are first choice hosts, D. gallinae feed on humans and other mammals, too [219], and can act as a vector for several pathogens of poultry [220], as well as zoonotic agents [221]. D. gallinae, in fact, feeds on humans too, showing opportunistic feeding habits, in respect to other species within the genus.…”

Potential of ferritin 2 as an antigen for the development of a universal vaccine for avian mites, poultry red mites, tropical fowl mites, and northern fowl mites

“…In contrast, TFMs and NFMs are parasitic on the hosts throughout their life cycle ( 6 ). PRMs are widespread worldwide, with >46% of poultry farms in China and Japan ( 7 ) and 90% of the layer industry in Europe being affected ( 8 ). TFMs are cosmopolitan in tropical and subtropical countries ( 7 , 9 ).…”

“…PRMs are widespread worldwide, with >46% of poultry farms in China and Japan ( 7 ) and 90% of the layer industry in Europe being affected ( 8 ). TFMs are cosmopolitan in tropical and subtropical countries ( 7 , 9 ). Although the issues caused by NFMs are not uniform across the world, they are included as key pests in the poultry industry in North America, Brazil, Australia, and Asia ( 7 , 10 – 12 ).…”