Notoedres

Also known as:

feline scabies

Notoedres are burrowing mites of cats, rats, man and rabbits. They are also common ectoparasites of tropical bats.

Identification

The Notoedres mite is similar to Sarcoptes although it has less distinct angles on its body surface. The female mites have suckers on legs 1 and 2 and are about 225μm in length. Males are 150μm in length. The anal opening of the Notoedres is distinctly dorsal, not posterior.

Diagnosis

The method of detection for Notoedres is usually via a superficial skin scraping. A single nest in a scraping may yield many mites.

Important Species

Notoedres cati This species causes feline scabies

Pathogenesis

• Infection begins on the ear tips and spreads over the body

• Notoedres cati in notoedric skin infestation

• Causes dermatitis

• Burrowing of females damages keratinocytes leading to cytokine release

• Hypersensitivity reaction may occur

Diagnosis

• Superficial skin scraping

• A single nest in a scraping may yield many mites