Canine Demodicosis Research Articles

Generalized canine demodicosis: case report

The aim of this research was to evaluate the clinical condition of a case of generalized canine demodicosis and the effectiveness of the treatment applied. Theoretical methods used included deductive-inductive and analysis-synthesis. Among the empirical methods, the observation and survey methods were selected. In the latter, two techniques were deployed: documentary analysis, based on the dermatological medical history sheet records, which provided relevant information; and an interview of the caretaker of a male, mixed-breed, unneutered dog, 7 years old and weighing 8 kg live weight. The information collected led to the identification of Demodex through skin scraping. As a result, it is noted that the addition of Spirulina platensis combined with diphenhydramine 25 mg, linoleic and linolenic acids - marketed as omega 3 and omega 6, respectively - and ivermectin 1% at a dose of 0.2 mg/kg live weight with gradual increase, proved effective for the complete recovery of the animal. We concluded that generalized canine demodicosis has become an increasingly common disease, with a high degree of prevalence, and although there are several long-acting treatment options, they have the great disadvantage of being highly expensive. It was demonstrated that ivermectin 1%, when administered as described in this study, together with diphenhydramine, essential fatty acids and Spirulina platensis, is very effective and less expensive.

Unveiling the Role of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Pathways in Canine Demodicosis.

Canine demodicosis is a prevalent skin disease caused by overpopulation of a commensal species of Demodex mite, yet its precise cause remains unknown. Research suggests that T-cell exhaustion, increased immunosuppressive cytokines, induction of regulatory T cells and increased expression of immune checkpoint inhibitors may contribute to its pathogenesis. This study aimed to gain a deeper understanding of the molecular changes occurring in canine demodicosis using mass spectrometry and pathway enrichment analysis. The results indicate that endoplasmic reticulum stress promotes canine demodicosis through regulation of three linked signalling pathways: eIF2, mTOR, and eIF4 and p70S6K. These pathways are involved in the modulation of Toll-like receptors, most notably TLR2, and have been shown to play a role in the pathogenesis of skin diseases in both dogs and humans. Moreover, these pathways are also implicated in the promotion of immunosuppressive M2 phenotype macrophages. Immunohistochemical analysis, utilising common markers of dendritic cells and macrophages, verified the presence of M2 macrophages in canine demodicosis. The proteomic analysis also identified immunological disease, organismal injury and abnormalities and inflammatory response as the most significant underlying diseases and disorders associated with canine demodicosis. This study demonstrates that Demodex mites, through ER stress, unfolded protein response and M2 macrophages contribute to an immunosuppressive microenvironment, thereby assisting in their proliferation.

Efficacy of Oral Sarolaner in Canine Demodicosis

Dogs presented to small animal dermatology unit of Veterinary Clinical Complex, Rajendranagar with a comprehensive history of widespread itching, alopecia, thickened skin, skin discoloration, formation of scales and crusts with normal deworming and vaccination status were taken for the study. Clinical examination was carried out and dogs having signs of lichenified skin, alopecia, erythema, papules, comedones, as well as the presence of Demodex mite on skin scrapping were included in the study. these dogs were treated by randomly dividing them into two groups, viz., group I (n=28) treated with tab. ivermectin (400 mcg/kg, PO, SID) until two successive negative scrapings and group II (n=28) treated with tab. Sarolaner, an iso oxazoline-class parasiticide administered orally at a dosage of 2 mg/kg once a month. Mites were counted once in 15 days in both groups. Parasitological cure in group I was 60.71, 78.57 and 92.85 percent respectively, in subsequent months, whereas in group II 67.85 and 100 percent respectively, after the first and second month of therapy. Remarkably, the dogs of group II exhibited complete clinical recovery by the second month of treatment without any relapse. Additionally, all the dogs were also managed with chlorhexidine shampoo bath weekly once and immune-boosting syrup once a day.

СРАВНИТЕЛЬНАЯ ЭФФЕКТИВНОСТЬ РАЗНЫХ СХЕМ ЛЕЧЕНИЯ ДЕМОДЕКОЗА СОБАК

Currently, management and treatment of demodicosis is based on a range of antiparasitic drugs. The study aimed to compare the therapeutic efficacy of three regimens of treatment with modern insecticidal drugs for canine demodicosis. Fifteen dogs of different breeds were studied. The diagnosis of demodicosis was made on the basis of anamnestic data, clinical signs and laboratory tests. For the treatment of demodicosis, the dogs were divided into three groups (five dogs each) and prescribed treatment according to three different schemes. The first group was given an etiotropic agent “Aversect K&C”, the second group was given “Closantin”, the third group was given “Frontline NeksgarD”. The study revealed that all of the three antiparasitic drug treatment regimens, particularly in combination with immunomodulators (in the first two patterns), showed a good therapeutic effect in managing canine demodicosis. The first treatment regimen was the most effective: all dogs of group one recovered on the 56th day of the observed period. In addition, the dogs did not require additional supportive therapy.

Canine demodicosis: A case report and successful recovery at Izatnagar, Bareilly

Canine demodicosis: A case report and successful recovery at Izatnagar, Bareilly

Gene expression analysis of Canine Demodicosis; A milieu promoting immune tolerance

Canine demodicosis is a common skin disease seen in companion animal practice that results from an overpopulation of the commensal Demodex mite species. Common predisposing factors to the development of canine demodicosis include immunosuppressive diseases, such as neoplasia and hypothyroidism, and administration of immunosuppressive therapies, such as corticosteroids. Despite this, the pathogenesis of development of canine demodicosis remains unclear. Previous studies have implicated a role for increased expression of toll like receptor 2 (TLR2), increased production of interleukin (IL)-10) and T cell exhaustion. Here, we investigate gene expression of formalin fixed paraffin embedded skin samples from twelve cases of canine demodicosis in comparison to twelve healthy controls, using a 770 gene panel (NanoString Canine IO Panel). Results show an increase in the T cell population, specifically Th1 and Treg cells in dogs with demodicosis. In addition, while there is an upregulation of immunosuppressive cytokines such as IL-10 and IL-13, there is also an upregulation of immune check point molecules including PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4. These findings suggest that Demodex spp. mites are modulating the host immune system to their advantage through upregulation of several immune tolerance promoting pathways.

A Case of Negligence in the Diagnosis of Canine Juvenile Demodicosis. Case Report

Canine demodicosis is a parasitic dermatopathy caused by Demodex canis, a mite that is part of cutaneous microbiota of dogs. Its overgrowth inside hair follicles and sebaceous glands causes alopecia and erythema in the localized form, and its generalized form usually goes along with a severe case of folliculitis. Its diagnosis is performed through skin scraping, trichogram by epilation or impression with acetate tape of the affected areas and visualization of material by optical microscopy. The treatment consists by the use of specific parasiticides, and in cases of opportunistic bacterial infection, the use of antibiotics is recommended. This case report describes the generalized form of demodicosis in a 2-month-old male puppy, Dachshund breed, whose diagnosis was initially was not defined by not performing a skin scraping and viewing the material obtained under a microscope.

Evaluation of serum mineral status in dermatological disorders of dogs

The study was undertaken to evaluate serum mineral status, specifically zinc, copper and selenium in dogs affected with dermatological disorders in comparison to normal healthy dogs. The study included 40 dogs of 2-5 years of age with skin diseases presented to University Veterinary Hospitals at Mannuthy and Kokkalai under the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, and ten apparently healthy dogs brought to the hospital for routine health check-up which served as control. Serum concentrations of the three minerals were compared not only between normal and dogs with skin diseases as a whole but also between individual skin diseases- six different skin diseases- with the control group. On comparing the dogs with skin ailments (n=40) and control group, the serum mineral levels analysed through Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) revealed that the concentration of zinc was significantly lower (p<0.01) in the diseased group (0.53 ± 0.04 mg/L) of dogs (n=40) than the control group (1.11 ± 0.09 mg/L) and the serum copper concentration was also significantly reduced (p<0.05) in diseased dogs (0.91 ± 0.08 mg/L) with respect to the control animals (1.23 ± 0.11 mg/L). The serum selenium concentration of diseased group of animals(n=40), however failed to show any significant difference from the control group of animals. The outcome of the study suggests a need for supplementation of zinc and copper in dogs with skin ailments like canine demodicosis that relapse even after prolonged therapy with acaricides.

In vitro toxicity of combination of amitraz and carvacrol on Demodex canis.

Canine generalized demodicosis is an inflammatory skin disease, which usually has time-consuming and frustrating treatments. The present study aimed to evaluate the acaricidal activity of carvacrol as a green drug and a combination of carvacrol and amitraz on Demodex canis mites and investigate mites' survival lifetime. Mite samples were collected from a dog affected by demodicosis and had been diagnosed with deep skin scrapings. The motility of mites was examined by using optical microscopy. Samples were tested with 5% of carvacrol, the combination of Carvacrol 5% + Amitraz 0.05%, Amitraz 0.05% as a positive control, and mineral oil as a negative control. The interval time between the adding the test solutions and the moment the last mite ceased was defined as the survival time in the samples and the killing times of mites in each group were compared with each other. It was determined that after administration of a 5% concentration of carvacrol, lethal effects were faster than the combination solution of Carvacrol 5% + Amitraz 0.05%, and the survival times in the control groups were longer than in both treatment groups. Carvacrol, as one of the most important bioactive terpenes, had the most effective in vitro miticidal activity, and it seems that carvacrol alone or in combination with amitraz can be suggested as a possible therapy in the treatment of canine demodicosis.

Effect of Holoptelea integrifolia (Roxb.) Planch. n-Hexane Extract and Its Bioactive Compounds on Wound Healing and Anti-Inflammatory Activity

The stem bark of Holoptelea integrifolia (Roxb.) Planch. has been applied for the treatment of human cutaneous diseases as well as canine demodicosis in several countries. However, no detailed mechanistic studies have been reported to support their use. In this study, thin-layer chromatography and gas chromatography were used to screen phytochemicals from the fresh stem bark extract of H. integrifolia. We found the two major bioactive compounds, friedelin and lupeol, and their activity on wound healing was further investigated in keratinocytes. Both bioactive compounds significantly reduced wound area and increased keratinocyte migration by increasing matrix metalloproteinases-9 production. Subsequently, we found that the mRNA gene expressions of cadherin 1 and desmoglobin 1 significantly decreased, whereas the gene expression involved in keratinocyte proliferation and homeostasis (keratin-17) increased in compound-treated human immortalized keratinocytes cells. The expression of inflammatory genes (cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase) and pro-inflammatory cytokine genes (tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6) was reduced by treatment with n-hexane extract of H. integrifolia and its bioactive compounds. Our results revealed that H. integrifolia extract and its bioactive compounds, friedelin and lupeol, exhibit wound-healing activity with anti-inflammatory properties, mediated by regulating the gene expression involved in skin re-epithelialization.

A retrospective study of cases of canine demodicosis submitted to a commercial diagnostic laboratory servicing the United Kingdom and Ireland (2017–2018) part 2; Aerobic culture and antimicrobial susceptibility results

Clinical diagnostic reports from 508 cases of canine demodicosis diagnosed either by histological or skin scraping analysis from a United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) accredited veterinary diagnostic laboratory servicing the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland were evaluated. Of the 508 cases, 284 had skin swabs submitted for culture on the same day the skin biopsy and/or skin scraping were obtained. Dogs with juvenile-onset (JO) demodicosis represented 57.4% of these cases, whilst adult-onset (AO) cases comprised 42.6%. The data revealed that overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria was more common in AO demodicosis cases (75.2%) in comparison to the JO cases (57%). Adult-onset cases also had increased involvement of bacteria belonging to multiple genera and/or yeast (28.9%) in comparison to JO cases (18.4%). Pruritus was significantly associated with an overgrowth of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (p < 0.001). Resistance to one or more antimicrobial classes was noted in S. pseudintermedius isolates from 56.3% of JO cases with 10.3% of these cases being classified as Multi-Drug Resistant (MDR). Similarly, 51.9% of S. pseudintermedius isolates from the AO cases were noted to be resistant to one or more antimicrobial class with 8.6% of these cases being considered MDR. Cephalosporins were the most frequently administered antimicrobial class noted in submission histories, followed by the penicillin and fluoroquinolone classes. Whilst our findings reveal a high prevalence of concurrent overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria warranting therapeutic intervention in canine demodicosis, the presence of resistance within isolates highlights the need for prudent selection and targeted use of antimicrobial therapy that encompass the key principles of antimicrobial stewardship.

A retrospective study of cases of canine demodicosis submitted to a commercial diagnostic laboratory servicing the United Kingdom and Ireland (2017–2018): Part 1 – Signalment, lesion distribution, treatments, and concurrent diseases

Canine demodicosis, due to an overpopulation of Demodex spp. mites, remains one of the most common dermatological diseases encountered in small animal practice. The aims of this study were to interrogate submitted histories and diagnostic report results from a large cohort of dogs (n = 508) diagnosed with demodicosis either through histological analysis or the finding of Demodex spp. mites on skin scrapings by a UKAS accredited commercial laboratory servicing the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland in the years 2017 and 2018. The main findings revealed that short-coated breeds were more likely to develop juvenile-onset (JO) demodicosis, whereas medium- and long-coated breeds were more likely to develop adult-onset (AO) disease. Pododemodicosis was reported more commonly in adult, long-coated breeds. Skin scrapings were positive in only 83.3% of samples that had a corresponding positive biopsy result; this finding highlights the necessity to perform further diagnostic tests if demodicosis remains clinically suspected despite a negative skin scraping result. Concurrent underlying diseases, potentially associated with immunosuppression, were reported in 42/221 (19%) of dogs with AO demodicosis. Serum allergy and Sarcoptes ELISA assays were positive in individual animals in both the JO and AO groups; the clinical significance of these latter findings requires careful interpretation in dogs with confirmed demodicosis.

Diagnosis and Therapeutic Management of Canine Demodicosis in Saurashtra Region of Gujarat

Among 23 dogs positive with canine demodicosis, 18 were selected for study, and 6 healthy dogs were taken as control. The dogs were divided into 4 groups, each consisting of 6 animals. Group I served as control. Group II, III and IV were treatment groups. Dogs of group II were given a subcutaneous injection of ivermectin @ 0.2 mg/kg b.wt weekly up to 4 weeks in combination with topical application of amitraz 12.5% solution as 0.05% mixed in water. Dogs of group III were given safrone tablets PO for 10 days in combination with safrone oil topically for 15 days. Dogs of group IV were given a fluralaner tablet @ 25 mg/kg PO for a single dose. All the dogs were bathed with shampoo containing benzoyl peroxide at weekly interval, except dogs of group III, and were given cefpodoximeproxetil @ 10 mg/kg b.wt. and pheniramine maleate @ 1 mg/kg b.wt. PO bid for 5 days and vitabestderm syrup 5 mL PO bid. Serum interleukin (IL)-10 showed a significant or appreciable increase in demodectic animals compared to healthy animals. Mite count was reduced up to 100 % on 30th day post-treatment in dogs of group II and there was quite a reduction in mite count in dogs of group IV, while lowest reduction in mite count was noticed 30th day post-treatment in dogs of group III. So, it was concluded that a combination of injection of ivermectin subcutaneously and amitraz 12.5% solution diluted to 0.05% topically had the highest efficacy among 3 treatment protocols used for canine demodicosis.

Demodicidose em felinos domésticos – revisão

Demodicosis is an uncommon disease in the clinical-dermatological routine of felines. It can be caused by the Demodex gatoi or Demodex cati, and a new, as yet unnamed species has been reported. Numerous forms of diagnosis and therapeutic protocols have been reported for canine demodicosis for years. However, there are few current studies on the subject in felines. Therefore, the present work aims to carry out a literature review on this skin disease, with a description of its etiology, epidemiology, clinical signs, diagnosis and current forms of treatment, as feline demodicosis still has a therapeutic and diagnostic difficulty because it is a rare and low-incidence disease. Future studies are still needed to reach a better understand of the disease and to define a more concise therapeutic protocol, including standardization of doses and frequency of administration.

Diagnostic value of procalcitonin, C-reactive protein, and leukocyte count in canine ehrlichiosis and canine demodicosis

Diagnostic value of procalcitonin, C-reactive protein, and leukocyte count in canine ehrlichiosis and canine demodicosis

Efficacy of Dipterocarpus alatus oil combination with Rhinacanthus nasutus leaf and Garcinia mangostana pericarps against canine demodicosis.

Background and Aim:Canine demodicosis is a skin disease that is a major global health problem in dogs. Ivermectin is a drug of choice for treatment, but it may cause toxicity in dogs carrying multidrug resistance mutation-1 gene mutations. Hence, alternative herbal medicines are used instead of the drug, such as Dipterocarpus alatus oil (YN oil), Rhinacanthus nasutus leaf (WC), and Garcinia mangostana pericarps (MG) extracts. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of D. alatus oil, R. nasutus leaf, and G. mangostana pericarp extracts on canine demodicosis in vivo.Materials and Methods:Twenty-five mixed-breed dogs with localized demodicosis were examined. Dogs were diagnosed with demodicosis through deep skin scraping and screened with the inclusion criteria. Five dogs of each group were treated in five treatment groups (ivermectin, YN oil, YN oil+WC, YN oil+MG, and YN oil+WC+MG) for 1 month. The individual dogs were clinically evaluated, and the dermatological lesions were monitored daily for 60 days.Results:Dermatological lesion improvement was predominantly observed in the group of dogs treated with YN oil+WC. This was evidenced by the disappearance of the hyperpigmentation and lichenification on day 28 post-treatment and alopecia on day 56 post-treatment. Moreover, no allergic or clinical signs were observed during treatment.Conclusion:YN oil+WC is an alternative herbal medicine that could be used for the treatment of localized canine demodicosis.

Evaluation of a clinical scoring system for canine demodicosis.

Canine demodicosis is a common disease in small animal practice. Although a number of studies evaluating treatment efficacy for canine demodicosis have used clinical scoring systems, none have been validated. This study evaluated the validity, reliability, reproducibility and sensitivity to change of a clinical scoring system for canine demodicosis. Fifty-eight dogs with generalised demodicosis were evaluated using a clinical scoring system that assessed erythema, comedones/ papules/pustules, follicular casts/scales/crusts and alopecia, rated from none to mild, moderate and severe in 36 body locations. Two evaluators scored lesions at monthly consecutive visits during treatment. Mites were counted to a maximum of 50 in four deep skin scrapings. With >50 mites, the approximate mite number was calculated with the help of a grid drawn onto the slide before placing the scraped material onto it. A Pearson correlation coefficient showed a high interobserver reliability (r=0.97) between two different clinicians evaluating the same dog. The Wilcoxon signed rank test showed good sensitivity to change with a reduction of clinical scores with each of the first six evaluations (P<0.0001). A linear mixed model also showed a clear reduction in mite counts (P<0.001) and clinical scores (P<0.0001) from the first evaluation with time. The clinical scoring system for canine demodicosis evaluated in this study showed a good sensitivity to change and interobserver reliability, and can be used in studies evaluating canine demodicosis.

Herbal Essential Oils Along with Its Amelioration with Silver Nanoparticles for Curing the Canine Demodicosis

Background: Demodicosis, also named as demodectic mange, red mange or follicular mange (Shrestha et al., 2015). In dogs, Demodex canis is acquired from the dam during the first few hours of life, probably during suckling (Greve and Gaafar, 1966). Demodicosis can be defined on the basis of two forms localized and generalized (Shipstone, 2000) with juvenile or adult onset. The ideal confirmation of diagnosis of demodicosis were established by the laboratory analysis of the cutaneous skin scrapings. Various drugs have been used for treating canine demodicosis. Till date no research work has been done on herbal nano medicine against demodicosis in dogs especially in Mizoram. Keeping these points in view the present study was made to formulate the herbal nanomedicine against demodicosis in dogs.Methods: Present investigation was conducted for curing canine demodicosis with the help of herbal essential oils along with its ameloriation with silver Nanoparticles. A total of 1200 dogs were screened for canine demodicosis and 35 cases were confirmed for canine demodicosis by skin scraping and amp; PCR examination.Result: The typical characteristics of Demodex spp. were confirmed in (20/35) 57.14% cases by skin scraping examination while PCR examination demonstrated (35/35) 100% by the amplification of an approximately 483 bp. Sequencing of PCR products were analyzed by BLAST and amp; the results indicated 99.7% identical to available sequences of D. canis MG372354 (1:99.7) and 98.8 identical with D. canis KU253790 (33:98.8) and amp; MG372359 (1:96.8). The sequence of the PCR product of positive samples was submitted to NCBI GenBank for accession number and MK177513 accession number was obtained for GenBank. From the present study it seems that Herbo-Nano medicine can be an effective alternative of Amitraz in case of demodicosis.

Estimation of the prevalence and determination of risk factors associated with demodicosis in dogs.

Objectives:Demodicosis is a vital skin problem in dogs. The present study has determined the prevalence and associated risk factors of demodicosis in dogs and the response to treatment.Materials and Methods:A total of 100 skin scrapings were collected from dogs having dermatological lesions brought to the Teaching and Training Pet Hospital and Research Center of Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University for treatment purpose. The collected scrapings were dissolved in 10% potassium hydroxide to detect mites through microscopic examination. Various risk factors like breed, age, sex, hair type, health status, and management system (indoor and outdoor) were analyzed using the logistic regression model. Positive cases were treated with oral ivermectin (Scabo®; at 0.6 mg/kg/day) along with amitraz 12.5% (Ridd®) diluted to 0.05% for rubbing on the body after bathing with chlorhexidine shampoo (PetHex®). Clavulanate amoxicillin (Moxaclav®) and omega-3 fatty acids (OMG-3®) were also suggested to prevent secondary bacterial infection and to maintain skin and hair coat integrity. The recovery rate was observed every 2–4 weeks of treatment upto 11–13 weeks.Results:The overall prevalence of demodicosis was recorded as 27%. Hair type, health status, and management system were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with the occurrence of demodicosis in dogs. Following treatment, the first negative skin scraping for mite was noticed at 8–10 weeks of treatment, and in all cases, clinical signs completely disappeared at 80–90 days of treatment.Conclusion:A good percentage of the dogs having dermatological lesions was determined as demodicosis. Long-term oral ivermectin and topical amitraz, an oral antibiotic, and nutritional therapy are effective against canine demodicosis. Keeping long-haired dogs with good body condition and indoor management is highly suggestive of preventing and controlling the disease.

The prevalence and risk factors of canine demodicosis: A retrospective long-term study of 409 cases.

Canine demodicosis is a common skin disorder with multiple risk factors, including age and breed predisposition. There is relatively limited information about the risk factors for canine demodicosis in large canine populations. This retrospective case-control study was conducted by searching the electronic records of dogs with skin lesions for the presence of Demodex mites in skin scrapings. Diagnosis of demodicosis was based on the presence of skin lesions and mites in skin scrapings. Multivariate analysis was conducted using logistic regression analysis to estimate the relative risk and odds ratio of variables hypothesized to influence the risk of canine demodicosis, such as age, sex, breed, season, and parasitic infection. The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed a positive correlation between the dogs' age and demodicosis. Dogs older than three years, as well as puppies, had a high risk of demodicosis (P0.05). Breeds with the greatest association (odds ratio) with demodicosis included the American Staffordshire Terrier (OR=0.9) and Moscow Watchdog (OR=0.2). The presence of intestinal parasites, such as Diphyllobothrium latum, was significantly associated with demodicosis.