Dermatitis of Humans Caused by the Fowl Mite, Dermanyssus gallinae (Deg.), at London, Ontario

Abstract

In November, 1955 two women in a room in a private hospital in London, Ontario, were found to be affected by an irritating dermatitis distributed generally over the body. The causative agent was an infestation of mites which were found in the bedding, over the walls of the room and on furniture. Collections of the mites were made in the room on November 18, 19 and 20. They were also found clustered about a bruise on an apple in a bowl of fruit in the room. The mites were sent to Dr. E. W. Baker, United States National Museum, who kindly identified them as the fowl mite, Dermanyssus gallinae (Deg.). Some specimens were retained for the collection of the U.S. National Museum and others have been mounted on slides No. E23.95-98 in the collection of the Department of Zoology, University of Western Ontario.