Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) of the Nile monitor on Rusinga Island, Kenya.

In the course of a study of ticks of livestock, five Nile monitor lizard specimens were caught and examined for ticks. Although none of the tick species infesting livestock were found on the reptiles, a large number of adults and presumed nymphs and larvae of Aponomma flavomaculatum (Lucus) and adults of Amblyomma sparsum (Neumann) were collected. The ticks demonstrated a distinct predilection for their attachment sites. This is the second report of A. flavomaculatum from this part of Kenya.

Ectoparasitic acari found on golden lion tamarins (Leontopithecus rosalia rosalia) from Brazil.

Anesthetized golden lion tamarins (Leontopithecus rosalia rosalia), a highly endangered species, were examined for ectoparasites by brushing the fur and swabbing the ears. Ectoparasites recovered from the fur included four species of immature ticks (Amblyomma spp.), three species of chiggers (Euschoengastia sp., Microtrombicula brennani and Speleocola tamarina), and one species of follicular mite (Rhyncoptes anastosi). Ectoparasites do not seem to be of particular significance to the health of the golden lion tamarin; this may in part result from grooming.

Field incidence of mosquito pathogens and parasites in central Alberta.

Ten pools and ponds were monitored on a weekly basis for presence of mosquito pathogens and parasites over a three year period near Edmonton, Alberta. Acari, fungi, Microsporidia and Peritrichida were found associated with mosquitoes. Percentage of collections with pathogens and parasites (prevalence) followed by the mean percentage infection within the samples, in parentheses (estimated % incidence) for the three year period were as follows: Coelomomyces psorophorae var. psorophorae 0.9(0.01-0.02), Culicinomyces clavisporus 1.2(0.09-0.2), Saprolegniales 50.1(15), Smittium sp. 23.0(4), Microsporidia 10.9(0.6-1.4), Peritrichida 43.4(30) and Acari 3.2(0.04). The high incidence of Saprolegniales may be a result of attack on stressed individuals under laboratory conditions. Several host and country records are reported. It is concluded that pathogens and parasites generally had little effect on the mosquito populations.

[Acari of food storage facilities. An ecologic and immuno-allergic study]. / Gli acari delle derrate alimentari. Studio ecologico ed immuno-allergologico.

The authors studied the commonest species of storage mites, living in granaries and in house dust. They found nine species of mites belonging to different systematic groups and were identified: Acarus siro, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, Glycyphagus domesticus, Lepidoglyphus destructor, Chortoglyphus arcuatus, Androlaelaps casalis, Cheyletus fortis, Cheyletus tenuipilis, Thyreophagus entomophagus. Skin tests were performed on 14 patients with house dust allergy, using extracts of three storage mites, most commonly found in house dust (Acarus siro, Glycyphagus domesticus, Lepidoglyphus destructor) and Euroglyphus maynei, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae. The results of the skin tests have suggested that sensitization to storage mites may be due a degree of cross-reaction between storage species and the two Dermatophagoides.

[Ectoparasites of rodents of the urban region of Belo Horizonte, MG. I. Interaction between ectoparasites and hosts]. / Ectoparasitos de roedores da região urbana de Belo Horizonte, MG. I. Interacão entre ectoparasitos e hospedeiros.

A rodent ectoparasite survey was made in the city of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil, from June 1980 to September 1982. The species of ectoparasites captured from 950 Rattus norvegicus norvegicus were: Xenopsylla cheopis, Ctenocephalides felis felis, Polyplax spinulosa, Laelaps nuttalli, Echinolaelaps echidninus and Atricholaelaps glasgowi, the last species only represented by three specimens interchanged with wild rodent. P. spinulosa and L. nuttalli, although cosmopolitan, are recorded for the first time in State of Minas Gerais. The sex ratio of the ectoparasites, as well as the prevalence of fleas, mites and lice on the separate sexes of rodents are presented. 66.9% of the rats were infested by mites, almost twice more than infestations by fleas and louse jointly (39%). L. nuttalli was found in great numbers and presented the highest index of infestation: 55.1%. Single infestations are as common as associated ones. P. spinulosa, contrary to L. nuttalli, rarely occurs in single infestation. Data on the distribution of the ectoparasites on the rodents are also reported. The infestation observed in Belo Horizonte is confronted with those obtained by other authors in different places.

[Domestic Acari in Sardinia]. / Gli acari domestici in Sardegna.

In Sardinia, a great Mediterranean island, house dust mites allergy is very spread. This investigation was carried out to determine the species, occurrence and abundance of mites in the house dust of sensitized subjects. 55 samples of house dust were examined and the mites fauna identified. Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus was the most abundant (54% of the found mites), and the most frequent mite (94.5%). Two others pyroglyphid species were recovered: Dermatophagoides farinae and Euroglyphus maynei that were common in Sardinian house dusts. The frequency with which E. maynei was found in this region (50%) suggests that he may well be an important cause of allergy in this region underestimated. Several species of storage mites were common in house dust, chiefly Glycyphagid and Acarid species, that have been shown to provoke strong reactions in sensitized subjects. The Mediterranean climate, and its effect on the physical conditions within the house, and the personal life style of the inhabitants are the most important factors associated with high mite numbers in Sardinian house dust.