Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Chigger mites Ericotrombidium cause itching and hair loss in European
By Stekolnikov, Alexandr A et al.·Published in Veterinary parasitology·2016·Zoological Institute·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Chigger mites of the genus Ericotrombidium (Acariformes: Trombiculidae) attacking pets in Europe.
Plain-English summary
A cat in Portugal developed severe itching and hair loss due to an infestation of chigger mites, specifically a type called Ericotrombidium ibericense. This was the first time this species was reported affecting pets in Europe. In another case, a dog in Crimea also suffered from similar symptoms caused by a different chigger species, Ericotrombidium geloti. Both cases highlight the need for awareness of these parasites, which may be more common in pets across Mediterranean countries. Treatment typically involves addressing the itching and managing the mite infestation.
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Abstract
Diversity of chigger mites causing trombiculiasis of domestic animals and humans in Europe is greatly underestimated. A number of reports on the attacks of "harvest mite" (Neotrombicula autumnalis) could be based on misidentified chiggers from other species and genera. In this study descriptions of two cases of trombiculiasis are presented, which constitute the first report on the pets' parasitism by the chigger genus Ericotrombidium in Europe. The species Ericotrombidium ibericense is for the first time reported in Portugal as a causative agent of the trombiculiasis entailed extensive alopecic lesions and pruritus in a cat. Ericotrombidium geloti is for the first time reported as a cause of canine trombiculiasis in Crimea. Presence of other Ericotrombidium species on man and domestic animals is highly probable in countries of the Mediterranean basin.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27084473/