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Demodicosis in a captive African straw-coloured fruit bat (Eidolon helvum)

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Abstract

Demodicosis is most frequently observed in the domestic dog (Canis familiaris), but it has rarely been reported in bats (Chiroptera). The overpopulation of Demodex spp. that causes dermatological changes is generally associated with a compromised immune system. We describe the gross and histological features of generalized demodicosis in an adult female African straw-coloured fruit bat (Eidolon helvum) drawn from a captive research colony. The histology of the lesions revealed comedones and follicular infundubular cysts harbouring numerous Demodex spp. mites, eliciting a minimal inflammatory response in the adjacent dermis. The histological examination of a full set of tissues did not reveal clear evidence of immunosuppression, although a clinical history of recent abortion and possible stressors due to captivity could be considered risk factors for the demodicosis. Attempts to determine the Demodex species using PCR on DNA extracted from the formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue failed. This is the first clinical and histological description of demodicosis in Eidolon helvum.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Richard Irvine for his constructive review of the manuscript.

Funding

This work was part-funded by a Wellcome Trust Research Training Fellowship (KSB) and KSB is supported by a Wellcome Trust Clinical Career Development Fellowship (106690/Z/14/Z).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pathology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA-Weybridge), Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK

    Carlo Bianco & Alejandro Nuñez

  2. Pathology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA-Lasswade), Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian, EH26 0PZ, UK

    Carlo Bianco

  3. Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Biosciences Building, Crown Street, Liverpool, L69 7ZB, UK

    Kate S. Baker

  4. La Vallonea Veterinary Laboratory, Via Sirtori 9, 20017, Passirana di Rho, Milano, MI, Italy

    Luca Pazzini

  5. Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, Via Celoria 10, 20133, Milan, Italy

    Alessandra Cafiso

  6. Wildlife Division, Forestry Commission, Box M239, Accra, Ghana

    Richard D. Suu-Ire

  7. Veterinary Services, Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Box M161, Accra, Ghana

    Richard D. Suu-Ire

  8. Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London, NW1 4RY, UK

    Andrew A. Cunningham

  9. Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ES, UK

    James L. N. Wood

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  1. Carlo Bianco
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  2. Kate S. Baker
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  5. Richard D. Suu-Ire
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  7. James L. N. Wood
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Correspondence to Carlo Bianco.

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The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship and/or publication of this article.

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Bianco, C., Baker, K.S., Pazzini, L. et al. Demodicosis in a captive African straw-coloured fruit bat (Eidolon helvum). Exp Appl Acarol 78, 547–554 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10493-019-00399-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10493-019-00399-9

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