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Molecular detection and characterization of Sarcoptes scabiei var canis using skin scrapings and skin biopsies

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Abstract

Canine sarcopticosis is a highly infectious and debilitating parasitic skin disease of dogs. Its diagnosis stands challenging as the golden standard of diagnosis; skin scraping microscopy is characterized by several diagnostic variations. Study thus employed several alternate diagnostic approaches using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) on skin scrapings and skin biopsies. Whole Sarcoptes scabiei var canis mites, thirty six “3 cm × 3cm” skin scrapings and 3 mm punch biopsies from six different lesioned sites per infested dog were all obtained from six severely sarcoptes ridden dogs. Samples were mechanically disrupted for DNA extraction and amplification. Positive samples were further commercially sequenced. Amongst the thirty six (36) skin biopsy and scraping samples processed, PCR detected the DNA of Sarcoptes scabiei var canis in thirty two (32) skin biopsy samples with a sensitivity of 88.88%. Twenty five (25) skin scraping samples were also positive for scabies with a sensitivity of 69.44%. The Phylogenetic analysis revealed a relationship between the Sarcoptes scabiei var canis mites from Nigeria and Sarcoptes scabiei of humans, raccoon dogs and rabbits in Pakistan, Japan and Egypt.  The diagnostic errors and false negatives accompanying the skin microscopy diagnostic technique can best be limited with the use of PCR diagnosis on skin scrapings and skin biopsies most especially. This highly sensitive diagnostic tool would certainly and effectively control the menace of sarcopticosis in dogs.

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Dog were owned by the principal investigator who gave consent for dog’s participation. All authors consented to participate in study.

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All authors gave consent for publication.

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Acknowledgements

Heartfelt acknowledgement and gratitude to Fasanmade Yemi and Iwu Victoria of The Bioscience Centre of The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, West Africa Hub.

Funding

This study received no financial aid and was self-funded.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Veterinary Parasitology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

    Onyeka Chidiebele Nwufoh & Nurudeen Ayinde Sadiq

  2. Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

    Olusegun Fagbohun, Adebowale Adebiyi, Rofiat Adeshina & Ekeanyanwu Emmanuel

  3. Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

    Benjamin Obukowho Emikpe

  4. Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Ibadan, Nigeria

    Onyeka Chidiebele Nwufoh

Authors
  1. Onyeka Chidiebele Nwufoh
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  2. Nurudeen Ayinde Sadiq
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  3. Olusegun Fagbohun
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  4. Adebowale Adebiyi
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  5. Rofiat Adeshina
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  6. Ekeanyanwu Emmanuel
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  7. Benjamin Obukowho Emikpe
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Contributions

Animal subject and data gathering, manuscript writing-OCN; Mite, biopsy and scraping harvests supervision, manuscript review and editing-NAS and BOE; Sample disruptions, DNA extraction, PCR, sequencing and result interpretation- OF, AA, RA and EE.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Onyeka Chidiebele Nwufoh.

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Conflict of interest

All authors hereby declare no financial, academic, commercial, political or personal conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

The University of Ibadan’s Animal Care, Use and Research Ethics Committee approved the ethics of animal management (UI-ACUREC 17-0027) after the thorough assessment of the impact of study on dog wellbeing. The sequential details of events from when animals were obtained till when study was completed was weighed. Such details included excellent animal monitoring, feeding, housing, handling, and harmless experimental procedures. All other protocols ensured the least suffering on dogs while study lasted. The fate of animals after study (treatment) was also addressed as well as the scientific merit, significance of research, necessity and justification for animal use. Once it was proven that science would advance pet welfare as well as pet owner satisfaction, ethics of study was approved.

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Nwufoh, O.C., Sadiq, N.A., Fagbohun, O. et al. Molecular detection and characterization of Sarcoptes scabiei var canis using skin scrapings and skin biopsies. J Parasit Dis 45, 258–262 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12639-020-01304-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12639-020-01304-7

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