Avian mite bites acquired from a new source--pet gerbils: report of 2 cases and review of the literature.
Arch Dermatol
; 137(2): 167-70, 2001 Feb.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-11176688
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Cutaneous manifestations of avian mite bites are not well recognized by physicians or patients. Clinical signs and symptoms are usually caused by bites from avian mites that have infested domestic poultry or birds nesting in or near human habitation. This report details 2 cases of pruritic papules acquired from avian mites that had infested pet gerbils and reviews the dermatologic literature about avian mites. OBSERVATIONS An 11-year-old boy and an unrelated 10-year-old girl each had mysterious, pruritic papules for many months before their pet gerbils were found to be infested with Ornithonyssus sylviarum (the northern fowl mite) and Dermanyssus gallinae (the chicken mite), respectively. Symptoms resolved when the gerbils were removed from the home.CONCLUSIONS:
Because infestation of pet gerbils with avian mites has never been reported, cases of avian mite bites and dermatitis may have gone unrecognized or misdiagnosed. Inquiry about ownership of pet gerbils may be helpful in patients with mysterious bites.
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Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Rodent Diseases
/
Birds
/
Bites and Stings
/
Gerbillinae
/
Mite Infestations
/
Mites
Type of study:
Diagnostic_studies
Limits:
Animals
/
Child
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
En
Journal:
Arch Dermatol
Year:
2001
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United States