First report of acariasis by Caparinia tripilis in African hedgehogs, (Atelerix albiventris), in Costa Rica / Primeiro relato de acariasis por Caparinia tripilis em ouriços africanos, (Atelerix albiventris), na Costa Rica

The African hedgehog is one of the newly imported exotic pets which have been observed with increasing regularity in veterinary clinics in Costa Rica. Despite their popularity, information about their diseases is scarce. Within skin diseases of hedgehogs, mange caused by Caparinia spp. is a common diagnosis in other countries. Two adult African hedgehogs, one male and one female, were brought to a private clinic in Heredia, Costa Rica, with chronic pruritic dermatitis, scabs, nearly complete loss of spines, lethargy, dehydration, and weight loss. During physical exam, deposits of dry seborrhea were taken and processed for diagnosis. Microscopic examination revealed psoroptid mites identified as Caparinia tripilis. This is the first report of the presence of Caparinia tripilis in Costa Rica and, to the authors' knowledge, the rest of Central America.

O ouriço africano é um dos animais de estimação exótico, recém-importado que tem sido observado com maior regularidade nas clínicas veterinárias da Costa Rica. Apesar da sua popularidade, informações sobre suas doenças são escassas. Dentre as doenças de pele de ouriços, a sarna causada por Caparinia spp. é um diagnóstico comum nos outros países. Dois adultos ouriços africanos, um macho e uma fêmea, foram levados para uma clínica particular, em Heredia, Costa Rica, com a dermatite pruriginosa crônica, crostas, perda quase completa de espinhos, letargia, desidratação e perda de peso. Ao exame físico, os depósitos de seborreia seca foram retirados e processados para o diagnóstico. O exame microscópico revelou ácaros (psoroptidae) identificados como Caparinia tripilis. Esse é o primeiro relato da presença de Caparinia tripilis na Costa Rica e, para conhecimento dos autores, o resto da América Central.

Carcinoma de glándulas sebáceas en un erizo africano (Atelerix albiventris) / Sebaceous gland carcinoma in an African hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris)

A sebaceous gland carcinoma was diagnosed in an adult African hedgehog (Atelerixalbiventris). The neoplasm, was localized in the subcutis of the cervicall region and extendend towards the axilar region and along the thorax. The animal was admitted for surgical removal of the tumor but died during the procedure. It was not possible to rule out metastatic dissemination since the post-mortem study was not authorized by the owner. The aim of this report is to describe the microscopic and ultrastructural morphology of this neoplasm, as well as the clinical and surgical management of the patient, in order to bring information about neoplastic diseases in this species. There is little information on diseases affecting wildlife animals. Currently, in Mexico, there is big interest on acquiring pygmy African hedgehogs as pets. For this reason, it is necessary that veterinarians, working on these type of animals, have more information and take into account the sebaceous gland carcinoma as differential diagnosis among skin tumors in the hedgehog.

Se diagnosticó un carcinoma de glándulas sebáceas en un erizo africano adulto (Atelerixalbiventris). La neoplasia estaba localizada en el tejido subcutáneo de la región cervical y se extendía hacia la zona axilar y parte de la pared torácica. El erizo fue internado para realizar la remoción quirúrgica de la neoplasia, pero murió durante el periodo transoperatorio. No fue posible determinar si existía metástasis, ya que los dueños del animal no permitieron el estudio post mortem. El presente trabajo tuvo como propósito describir la morfología microscópica y ultraestructural de dicha neoplasia, así como el manejo clínico y quirúrgico del paciente, para aportar información sobre enfermedades neoplásicas en el erizo. En general, es escasa la información acerca de las enfermedades que afectan a la fauna silvestre. Actualmente en México muchas personas están interesadas en adquirir al erizo pigmeo africano en calidad de animal de compañía. Es necesario que el médico veterinario dedicado a la clínica de este tipo de animales, tenga la mayor información posible y considere al carcinoma de glándulas sebáceas como diagnóstico diferencial entre los tumores cutáneos del erizo.