Widespread exposure to Sarcoptes scabiei in wild European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in Spain

Abstract

a b s t r a c t Sarcoptic mange was recently described in the wild European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in north-eastern Mediterranean Spain, the first such infection reported in this species anywhere in the world. This finding has created concern in conservationists and game managers given that an outbreak of mange after a translocation would have catastrophic consequences for naïve rabbit populations in other parts of Spain. A retrospective serosurvey using an 'in house' ELISA test based on the use of a recombinant antigen aimed at determining the rates of contact with Sarcoptes scabiei was carried out on sera from 966 rabbits collected between 1993 and 2010 in Spain. Antibodies were found in 13% of wild rabbits in 60% of the 53 areas surveyed, as well as in 16 of the 17 Spanish provinces and islands studied. Seropositive rabbits were found amongst the oldest samples analyzed and in all studied years. Antibodies were also detected in 36% of rabbits from the protected island of Dragonera, where rabbits have probably not been released since the 1970s. On Mallorca, where 89 rabbits were inspected for both lesions and antibodies, the prevalence of lesions (5.6%) was much lower than the seroprevalence (22.5%), indicating that rabbits often survive infection or that ELISA detects infected rabbits before they develop visible lesions. Seroprevalence was higher in areas with medium levels of rabbit abundance, no restocking and high rainfall. The results show that mange is widespread in rabbits and that the mite is not a recent introduction. Thus, sarcoptic mange could be considered as an enzootic disease in the wild rabbit and so prophylactic measures implemented during rabbit translocations are to be encouraged to avoid local outbreaks in naïve populations.

A review of Sarcoptes scabiei: past, present and future

“…× Pig IgG4086[145] hominis Ssλ20ΔB3pigHRP-? × Pig IgG6283[145] hominis Ssλ20ΔB3rabbitHRP-Protein A100[108] hominis Ssλ20ΔB3rabbitHRP-Protein A9597[146] hominis Ssλ20ΔB3wolfHRP-Protein A7588[147] hominis rSsGST01humanAP-? × Hu IgV[148] hominis rSj26GSThumanAP-?…”

“…The wild European rabbit ( Oryctolagus cuniculus ) occurs in north-eastern Mediterranean Spain and serves as prey for many predators as well as game for hunters [108]. Sarcoptes scabiei parasitizes some populations of these rabbits and there is concern that the disease can significantly affect the rabbit population and that it might be transmitted to other wildlife.…”

“…Sarcoptes scabiei parasitizes some populations of these rabbits and there is concern that the disease can significantly affect the rabbit population and that it might be transmitted to other wildlife. Thus, Millan et al [108] used an ELISA based on the recombinant human scabies mite antigen Ssλ20ΔB3 to survey for the seroprevalence of scabies antibodies in rabbits in selected provinces or islands of Spain. Most of the sera analyzed were from rabbits shot by hunters.…”

Evaluation of an ELISA using recombinant Ssλ20ΔB3 antigen for the serological diagnosis of Sarcoptes scabiei infestation in domestic and wild rabbits

“…Specificity was lower because about 10% of rabbits without mange lesions detected were seropositive in the ELISA. These animals could be at the beginning of the infestation before lesions become visible, or some could be already recovering from an infestation (Millán et al, 2012). In fact, in experimentally infested wild rabbits (n = 2), antibodies were detected up to five weeks before lesions were seen (Millán et al, 2013).…”

“…Sarcoptic mange was shown to be widespread in wild rabbits of the Iberian Peninsula, a retrospective serological survey demonstrated antibodies in 60% of the 53 areas studied showing that the disease has been present from at least the 1990s (Millán et al, 2012). Moreover, cases of sarcoptic mange were described in the wild European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in north-eastern Mediterranean Spain (Millán, 2010;Navarro-Gonzalez et al, 2010), the first such infestation reported in this species anywhere in the world.…”