Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Demodex mite infestation linked to skin cancer in older cats
By GuaguÈre et al.·Published in Veterinary dermatology·1999·Clinique Vé, France·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Demodex cati infestation in association with feline cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in situ: a report of five cases.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
Five elderly domestic shorthaired cats were found to have skin lesions on their face, neck, and limbs, which were diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma in situ (a type of skin cancer). During examinations, a skin mite called Demodex cati was also discovered in the affected areas. The cats were treated with oral medications, and most showed improvement within 4 to 6 months. It's believed that a weakened immune system, possibly due to a viral infection, may have contributed to the skin issues and the mite infestation.
People also search for: cat skin cancer treatment · Demodex cati in cats · elderly cat skin problems · feline squamous cell carcinoma symptoms
Abstract
Demodex cati infestation was identified at lesional sites of multicentric squamous cell carcinoma in situ (Bowen's disease) in five elderly domestic shorthaired cats. Lesions were observed on the face, neck, shoulders, stifles and limbs. Deep skin scrapings taken from lesional skin contained D. cati eggs, larvae and adults in four cases. D. cati were discovered histologically in four cases. Histopathology of skin biopsy specimens confirmed the diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma in situ in all cases. Serology for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) was positive in three cats. Remission of Bowen's disease lesions was obtained in 4-6 months using oral retinoids etretinate (one case) or acitretin (one case). It is suspected that local immunodeficiency due to epithelial dysplasia might have predisposed the skin to a focal multiplication of D. cati. Alternatively, FIV infection may have led to immune suppression predisposing the cats to both papillomavirus-induced epithelial dysplasia and D. cati infestation.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34644970/