| Morphological and Molecular Identification of Dermanyssus gallinae (Acari: Mesostigmata: Dermanyssidae) Infestations in Poultry Farms: Implications for Health and Control Strategies |
| Paper ID : 1033-IPCA5 (R1) |
| Authors |
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Somayeh Bahrami *1, Afsaneh Nazarpour1, Leila Kharrati2, Fatemeh Madankan1 1Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran. 2Behabhan Veterinary Organization, Ahvaz, Khuzestan Province, Iran |
| Abstract |
| The poultry red mite (Dermanyssus gallinae) is a significant threat to poultry health and production globally, primarily feeding on birds during their resting periods, particularly at night. This ectoparasite is not only detrimental to the well-being of the birds but also affects the overall productivity of poultry operations. Infestations can lead to severe consequences for poultry, including anemia, reduced egg production, and even mortality. Furthermore, D. gallinae has been identified as a potential vector for various poultry diseases, such as Salmonella and Eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus, which escalates the risk for farm workers due to its biting behavior. Given these factors, understanding the dynamics of D. gallinae infestations is critical for poultry health management and biosecurity. Recent studies have indicated that the prevalence of these mites is increasing, primarily due to intensified poultry production practices and inadequate control measures, highlighting the urgent need for effective intervention strategies. This study revealed severe infestations in two poultry farms in Behbahan. Initial morphological identification of the mites was conducted using established keys, with specific features noted, including a triangular anal shield, a sternal shield broader than it is long, and a rounded posterior genitoventral shield. A detailed examination under a microscope, complemented by camera lucida drawings, facilitated accurate morphological identification. Molecular analysis was performed using PCR to further verify the species, targeting the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COX1) gene. The sequence analysis of the mitochondrial COI gene from two positive samples exhibited high sequence identity (98.53% and 98.80% for isolates 1 and 2, respectively) with the D. gallinae isolates from Turkey (GenBank accession number KU866541.1). This study underscores the importance of understanding the genetic and morphological characteristics of D. gallinae populations to enhance control measures and prophylaxis strategies against this pest in poultry farming. |
| Keywords |
| Dermanyssus gallinae, Poultry, Morphology, Sequence, Behbahan, Khuzestan, Iran |
| Status: Abstract Accepted |
