Abstract
The avian mite Dermanyssus gallinae (poultry red mite, PRM) is of major economic and veterinary importance for the poultry and egg industry worldwide. The accumulating reports on the opportunistic nonavian feeding of D.gallinae raise concerns on PRM host expansion. However, the consequent threats to human health remain largely unclear. PRM infestation in humans is usually manifested as a local or generalized noncharacteristic skin reaction referred to as gamasoidosis. This report presents the current state of the art and the new developments on PRM-associated dermatitis, sharing neither the authors' personal experience nor focusing on differential diagnosis. Specifically, it reflects the outcome of the critical assessment of the available literature by European medical and veterinary experts in the field under the "One Health" approach.
Highlights
D. gallinae is a cosmopolitan nocturnal, hematophagous, non-permanent ectoparasite, largely considered as being avian-specific, infesting wild, domestic and synanthropic birds [5]
The use of a range of licensed, unlicensed and off-label chemical pesticides, including organophosphates, pyrethroids and carbamates poses ecological and environmental threats, as well as serious direct and indirect risks for both animal and human health exemplified by the recent scandal of fipronil-contaminated eggs [4]
Human PRM infestation is commonly linked to nearby nests of feral birds like pigeons and sparrows, as well as to the presence of pet birds, such as canaries and parrots [3,9]
Summary
The first report of human PRM infestation dates back to the early 19th century, whereas human blood ingestion by the mite was reported in 1958 [8]. Geographically widespread sporadic albeit increasing reports (Table 1S) implicate PRM infestation in human dermatological lesions both in poultry workers, farmers and veterinarians and in urban settings [3]. In the latter case, human PRM infestation is commonly linked to nearby nests of feral birds like pigeons and sparrows, as well as to the presence of pet birds, such as canaries and parrots [3,9]. The relapse of the symptoms seems to be associated with prior generalized clinical manifestations (Fig. 1), pointing to the likely contribution of yet undetermined confounding factors
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