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Sensitivity of deep skin scrapings, hair pluckings and exudate microscopy in the diagnosis of canine demodicosis
Author(s) -
Saridomichelakis M. N.,
Koutinas A. F.,
Farmaki R.,
Leontides L.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
veterinary dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.744
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1365-3164
pISSN - 0959-4493
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3164.2004.00414_25.x
Subject(s) - demodicosis , exudate , pyoderma , medicine , dermatology , lesion , seborrhoeic dermatitis , pathology
Diagnosis of canine demodicosis is mainly based on mite detection in deep skin scrapings (DSS). Hair pluckings (HP) are also helpful, whereas the diagnostic value of exudate microscopy (EM) has never been assessed. The objective of this study was to compare the diagnostic sensitivity of DSS, HP and EM in the various clinical forms of canine demodicosis. A total of 68 dogs with localized (45.6%) or generalized (54.4%) demodicosis, juvenile‐onset (92.6%) or adult‐onset (7.4%) demodicosis were included. Pyoderma was present on 41.2% of cases and absent in 58.8% of cases. One lesion per dog was selected for obtaining one HP, DSS and EM sample, the latter only in 14 cases demonstrating visible exudate. Mineral oil DSS and EM microscopy was focused on a 2.2 × 2.2 mm area, while a total of 100 hair shafts were evaluated by trichogram. At least one parasite was seen in 83.8% of HP, 98.5% of DSS and 100% of EM slides. The sensitivity of HP was higher in the generalized ( P = 0.001) and pyoderma‐affected ( P = 0.021) cases compared to the localized and noninfected cases. A higher sensitivity of DSS compared to HP was demonstrated in the localized ( P = 0.004) and noninfected ( P = 0.002) cases. In conclusion, HP should be viewed as a useful diagnostic tool in generalized and infected canine demodicosis, while EM is useful in all deep pyoderma‐associated cases. Funding: Self‐funded.