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Gamasoidosis: avian mite dermatitis ( Dermanyssus gallinae )
Author(s) -
Neill S.M.,
Monk B.E.,
Pembroke A.C.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1985.tb13013.x
Subject(s) - mite , dermatology , biology , medicine , veterinary medicine , ecology
The avian mite, Dermanyssus gallinae , is normally a blood‐sucking parasite of a large number of species of wild and domestic birds. It may adopt man as a temporary host, causing pruritus and rash. The main sources of such human attacks are infestations of chickens, pigeons, starlings, partridges, sparrows and canaries. The dermatitis caused by such bites is a well recognized entity amongst poultry workers and pigeon fanciers. Four elderly patients on two wards of a geriatric hospital were investigated for an itchy dermatosis, which was subsequently discovered to be caused by the avian mite, Dermanyssus gallinae. The source of the mites was infested pigeons nesting on window ledges of the two wards concerned. The poster illustrates the clinical and histological features of the rash, together with details of the mite and its habitat. Two similar hospital outbreaks have been reported in Canada and the U.S.A., but none have been previously described in England (Sexton & Haynes, 1975; Auger et al. , 1979). Dermatoses caused by pigeon or other bird mite bites may be commoner than is generally supposed, as it may not always be recognized. It is particularly likely to occur in hospitals or other institutions where pigeons may nest on window ledges close to patients.