Pathology and Distribution of Trombiculosis in Northern Chamois ( Rupicapra rupicapra rupicapra) in the Italian Alps.

Abstract

Trombiculosis has been reported in some wild ruminant species. We investigated the occurrence of trombiculosis in the northern chamois ( Rupicapra rupicapra rupicapra) in the Western Italian Alps, and we describe the related histopathologic changes. Superficial scrapes and skin samples were taken from 191 chamois from the Lombardy and Piedmont regions during the hunting season in September-December 2015. Numbers of eosinophils, mast cells, cluster of differentiation (CD)3-, CD79α-, CD68-positive cells were determined on immunohistochemically stained skin sections using a semiautomatic analysis system. Forty (20.9, 40/191) chamois were positive for trombiculid larvae on skin scrapings. Of the positive animals, 15 were from Lombardy and 25 from Piedmont, with similar prevalences. Macroscopic lesions were light with involvement of body regions that had contact with the ground, especially head (pinnae and areas around eyes and mouth) and limbs, where stylostome was easily formed due to thin skin. Histologically, trombiculosis caused a focal moderate dermatitis with epidermal necrosis, thin crusts, and hyperkeratosis. Inflammatory infiltrates were suggestive of a granulomatous reaction centered on a stylostome, formed by mite saliva and necrotic host tissue debris. However, we detected some difference in cutaneous immune response with some chamois showing a prevalent T-cell response and others having an increased B-cell count associated with a higher number of eosinophils, mast cells and a lower number of T cells.