Difference between revisions of "Demodex"

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[[Image:Demodex canis.jpg|right|thumb|150px|''Demodex canis'' - Wikimedia Commons]]
{{Taxobox
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''Demodex spp.'' are found on all domestic mammals as well as in humans and are usually a commensal organism. It is a [[Category:Burrowing Mites|burrowing mite]] as opposed to the surface mite meaning that it penetrates into the hosts tissue. Each host has a specific species of the ''Demodex'' mite. A clinical infection of ''Demodex spp.'' is termed demodicosis.
|name              =''Demodex spp.''
 
|kingdom            =Animalia
 
|sub-kingdom        =
 
|phylum            =[[:Category:Arthropods|Arthropoda]]
 
|super-class        =
 
|class              =[[:Category:Arachnida|Arachnida]]
 
|sub-class          =Acari
 
|super-order        =Acariformes
 
|order              =
 
|sub-order          =Prostigmata
 
|super-family      =Cheyletoidea
 
|family            =Demodecidae
 
|sub-family        =
 
|genus              =Demodex
 
|species            =''D. canis'', ''D. aurati'', ''D. criceti'', ''D. bovis''
 
}}
 
==Introduction==
 
[[Image:Demodex canis.jpg|right|thumb|150px|''Demodex canis'' - Joel Mills, Wikimedia Commons]]
 
''Demodex spp.'' are found on all domestic mammals as well as in humans and are usually a commensal organism. It is a [[Burrowing Mites|burrowing mite]] as opposed to a [[:Category:Non-Burrowing Mites|surface mite]] meaning that it penetrates into the host's tissue. Each host has a specific species of the ''Demodex'' mite. A clinical infection of ''Demodex spp.'' is termed [[demodicosis]].
 
  
==Identification==
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===Identification===
The ''Demodex'' species have a distinctive cigar shaped appearance under microscopic examination. Adults and nymphs have four pairs of stumpy legs on the anterior portion of the body, compared to larvae which only possess three pairs of legs. These species are Prostigmata, with their breathing apparatus on the anterior portion of their bodies. Prostigmata is a suborder of the class Acari containing mites with anterior breathing apparatus. This distinctive long and narrow appearance allows them to burrow into and remain inside hair follicles. The eggs are also laid into the hair follicles and look relatively long and spindle shaped.  
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The Demodex species have a distinctive cigar shaped appearance under microscopic examination. They have four pairs of stumpy legs on the anterior portion of the body. This distinctive long and narrow appearance allows them to burrow into and remain inside hair follicles.
  
==Detection==
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===Life cycle===
Detecting ''Demodex'' species on animals requires the use of either a deep skin scrape or a hair pluck. These samples can then be prepared in liquid paraffin and analysed under a microscope. Adult mites, larvae and eggs may be demonstrable. Detection of a single mite is not diagnostic as they are common commensals, instead the observation of concurrent clinical signs should be used to diagnose [[Demodicosis|demodicosis]].
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Demodex species complete their entire life cycle within the hair follicles and sebaceous glands of a single host. Transmission between hosts occurs by close contact usually these will be commensals of the host from a young age due to maternal transfer to the neonate during suckling. Their life cycle takes 3 weeks to complete. <br/>
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'''Eggs'''
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*20-24 laid at a time into hair follicles.
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'''Larvae'''
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*Hexapod
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*3 larval stages before becoming adult
  
==Life cycle==
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===Important Species===
''Demodex'' species complete their <u>entire life cycle within the hair follicles and sebaceous glands of a single host</u>. Their life cycle takes 3 weeks to complete. The female lays 20-24 '''eggs''' at a time into hair follicles. '''Larvae''' are hexapod and are the same in appearance as the adult mites during their 3 larval stages.
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*Demodex canis
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::This is by far the most commonly seen species of Demodex causing clinical problems. Its host species is the dog and demodicosis is usually a secondary opportunistic pathogen due to other underlying conditions.
  
Transmission between hosts occurs by close contact. Usually these mites will be commensals of the host from a young age due to maternal transfer to the neonate during suckling.
 
  
==Important Species==
 
''Demodex canis''
 
::This is by far the most commonly seen species of ''Demodex'' causing clinical problems. Its host species is the dog and [[demodicosis]] is usually a secondary opportunistic pathogen due to other underlying conditions.
 
  
''Demodex criceti'' & ''Demodex aurati''
 
::Cause [[Mites - Hamsters#Demodicosis|hairloss in hamsters]].
 
 
''Demodex bovis''
 
::Causes pea shaped nodules in cattle.
 
 
''Demodex merioni''
 
::Causes [[Mites - Gerbils#Demodecosis|hairloss in gerbils]].
 
 
{{Learning
 
|flashcards = [[Mites_Flashcards|Mites Flashcards]]<br>[[Cytology Q&A 18]]
 
|literature search = [http://www.cabdirect.org/search.html?q=title%3A%28Demodex%29&fq=subject_facet%3A%22Demodex%22 ''Demodex'' publications]
 
|Vetstream = [https://www.vetstream.com/canis/search?s=mite Mites]
 
}}
 
 
==References==
 
Forsythe, P (2007) '''Collection and interpretation of clinical samples for dermatological analysis''' ''In Practice 2007 29: 158-16''
 
 
Henfrey, J I (1990) '''Canine Demodecosis''' ''In Practice 1990 12: 187-19''
 
 
 
{{review}}
 
 
{{OpenPages}}
 
  
 
[[Category:Burrowing_Mites]]
 
[[Category:Burrowing_Mites]]
[[Category:Expert_Review]]
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[[Category:To_Do_-_NickJ]]

Revision as of 18:31, 5 July 2010

Demodex canis - Wikimedia Commons

Demodex spp. are found on all domestic mammals as well as in humans and are usually a commensal organism. It is a as opposed to the surface mite meaning that it penetrates into the hosts tissue. Each host has a specific species of the Demodex mite. A clinical infection of Demodex spp. is termed demodicosis.

Identification

The Demodex species have a distinctive cigar shaped appearance under microscopic examination. They have four pairs of stumpy legs on the anterior portion of the body. This distinctive long and narrow appearance allows them to burrow into and remain inside hair follicles.

Life cycle

Demodex species complete their entire life cycle within the hair follicles and sebaceous glands of a single host. Transmission between hosts occurs by close contact usually these will be commensals of the host from a young age due to maternal transfer to the neonate during suckling. Their life cycle takes 3 weeks to complete.
Eggs

  • 20-24 laid at a time into hair follicles.

Larvae

  • Hexapod
  • 3 larval stages before becoming adult

Important Species

  • Demodex canis
This is by far the most commonly seen species of Demodex causing clinical problems. Its host species is the dog and demodicosis is usually a secondary opportunistic pathogen due to other underlying conditions.