Dermatologists discussing Cheyletiella

Interestingly, the Cheyletiella mite can become internal. It has been recognised as going in and out of the nostrils in some animals, getting in the eyes, and being passed in the stool of both dogs and cats. Some people who have large mite infestations in their homes report the mites doing the same things to them. One vet recommended systemic treatment (such as Selamectin--Revolution--or Ivermectin--Heartgard) because of the possibility that the mites may survive through the digestive track of the animal.

Some people who ask for advice on the net after obtaining an affirmative diagnosis of Cheyletiella from their vet report a crawling sensation and that the mite affects only one person in a household of many people (such as five people). The mite bites appear papular, like small zits, in some cases.

One instruction for controlling Cheyletiella in kennels was to put fly tape hanging in the kennel. Why is this? Apparently the mites can become airborn. Another aspect noted by people who have suspected their afliction to be bird mites.

Another point is that a man whose dog was diagnosed with Cheyletiella reported that a normal vacuum bag did not work, that a hepa filter was needed. He had found that the mites would be blown about and respread without a proper filter. This is another aspect that we have experienced and that appears consistent with Cheyletiella.

The following is a link to a somewhat recent article, "Cheyletiella: The Underdiagnosed Mite": http://veterinarynews.dvm360.com/dvm/Veterinary+news/Cheyletiella-the-under-diagnosed-mite/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/363975

This article is posted on the net and apparently first appeared in Boxer Parade Magazine, it mentions that it has been reported in birds and squirrels and has a lot of good information: http://www.showboxer-l.com/mites.html

The following discussion and partial bibliography can be found on the following Dermatology discussion board, note that contact with the infested animal is not necessary. There is one report of a child sleeping in the dog's bed and being covered in bites--while the rest of the family received smaller quantities of bites during the day and another of a person working in a cubicle next to where the infested dog slept during the night--since these parasites can infest squirrels and birds, it would make sense that the presence of these animals can cause this parasite to attack humans in the building. The following discussion also notes that middle aged women tend to be the ones affected the most in families by this mite, a correlation with suspected delusional parasitosis statistics: http://dermatology.cdlib.org/rxderm-archives/itchy-red-bump-disease

think Cheyletiella!

I hate to become the pied piper of this little critter, but I've made this post before and heard no replies. Please see the excellent article: Lee BW, Cheyletiella dermatitis: a report of fourteen cases, Cutis (1991 Feb) 47(2):111-4.

This annoying little pest is more widespread than previously thought (reports from Europe, Asia and the Americas). It lives on our mammalian pets and is easily transmittable if your pet leaves home even briefly or is kenneled. It isfairly common in kennel animals and strays. The pet may not be symptomatic and only a few vets can diagnose it, or are even aware of it. It only causes trouble when it falls off the host animal and finds a human--which it bites repeatedly before dying or falling off. They do not burrow and won't be found on path. The reaction is most often seen in the middle aged woman in the family(?more reactive/intolerant immune systems), but if present long enough will appear in other family members (the older males in the family react the last). The lesions look like small isolated insect bites and excoriations on the trunk and proximal extremities and the path report routinely contains insect bite in the differential. The itch is global, intense (similar to scabies and in excessof findings) and the patient has usually been given Kwell by their primary MD, and sometimes Dapsone by their dermatologist (with some improvement in the itch with Dapsone). The eruption is most common in the fall and winter, but can happen any time. The infected pet may not be at home, but instead might be at aplace the patient frequents (one of my cases was from a security dog at the patient's place of employment...it slept near her cubicle at night!!).

Some vets are very helpful with this suspected condition, but others will ignoreyour concerns due to their lack of knowledge of the parasite. I've had phenomenal and quick "cures" and many very grateful patients by insisting the suspect animals be treated with ivermectin whether the vet can confirm the diagnosis or not. I now give these patients copies of Dr. Lee's article for themselves and to take to their vet. I also keep a list of vets in my area who are "believers."

Please consider this diagnosis strongly in the future--you'll save your patient and yourself a lot of grief.

REFERENCES:

Lee BW
Cheyletiella dermatitis.
In: Arch Dermatol (1981 Oct) 117(10):677-8

Cohen SR
Cheyletiella dermatitis. A mite infestation of rabbit, cat, dog, and man.
In: Arch Dermatol (1980 Apr) 116(4):435-7Two patients with recurrent, intensely pruritic, grouped red papules on the chest, abdomen, and thighs were examined and found to have Cheyletiella dermatitis. Cheyletiella, a nonburrowing species of mite, was isolated from fur brushings of the household pets, including one dog and two cats. Treatment of the affected pets resulted in complete resolution of symptoms and signs in both animals and patients. This appears to be the third instance of human Cheyletiella dermatitis recorded in North America.

Bakkers EJ Fain A
Dermatitis in man and in a dog caused by the mite Cheyletiella yasguri Smiley.
In: Br J Dermatol (1972 Sep) 87(3):245-7Rivers JK Martin J Pukay B Walking dandruff and Cheyletiella dermatitis.In: J Am Acad Dermatol (1986 Nov) 15(5 Pt 2):1130-3Two patients presented with pruritus and rash caused by Cheyletiella mites that lived on our patients' cats. Only with veterinary assistance was the correct diagnosis made and effective therapy instituted.Shelley ED

Shelley WB Pula JF McDonald SG
The diagnostic challenge of nonburrowing mite bites. Cheyletiella yasguri.
In: JAMA (1984 May 25) 251(20):2690-1Endemic pruritus in a family of four proved to be caused by the "bite and run" habits of the Cheyletiella yasguri mites that lived on the family dog. The mystery was solved only after the 6-year-old daughter experienced an explosive attack of pruritic papules after taking a nap in the dog's sleeping box. Virtually invisible ectoparasites remain a common cause of endemic pruritus within families. Since these patients show no acarologic, clinical, or laboratory evidence for the cause fo their itch, a good rule remains, cherchez le chien.

Lee BW
Cheyletiella dermatitis: a report of fourteen cases.
In: Cutis (1991 Feb) 47(2):111-4Cheyletiella dermatitis is an infrequently reported eruption caused by an ectoparasite whose normal hosts are household pets. Fourteen cases, documented over an eight-year period, are reported. All cases were found in one practice in a small community. Typical patients are female, aged forty years or younger, who experience pruritic papules in the winter months. Cheyletiella dermatitis is not a rare problem.

Dal Tio R Tara Vercelli A
[Dermatitis caused by Cheyletiella. Description of 8 cases and review of the literature]Dermatite da Cheyletiella. Descrizione di otto casi e revisione della letteratura.In: G Ital Dermatol Venereol (1990 Feb) 125(1-2):19-24 (Published in Italian)The Authors report eight cases of Cheyletiella dermatitis, parasite mite of domestic animals but also known as pathogenic for man. This animal parasitosis mentioned many times in other countries, seems to be very diffused in Italy, too. Nevertheless, the literature tells that normally, in our country, Cheyletiella dermatitis is a pathology completely underestimated and almost unknown. The Authors, because of the aspecificity of the clinical and histopathological data, lay special stress on the differential diagnosis pro OF 15)8013675und mit der Milb6 persons exposeation is reported. Two of the dogs appeared to have been infected during a stay in a kennel. The dogs presented with moderate itching and slight to massive floury squamack. In the infeogs had been remIENCE*****

Niiyama M Ohbayashi M
Cheyletiella blakei in a cat.
In: Nippon Juigaku Zasshi (1979 Aug) 41(4):395-9

Fain A Scheepers L De Groot W
[Long-lasting pruriginous dermatitis in a woman caused by an acarian dog parasite, Cheyletiella yasguri Smiley]Dermatite prurigineuse de longue duree chez une femme, produite par l'acarien parasite du chien Cheyletiella yasguri Smiley.
In: Rev Med Liege (1982 Sep 15) 37(18):623-5 (Published in French)

McGarry JW
Identification of Cheyletiella eggs in dog faeces.
In: Vet Rec (1993 Apr 3) 132(14):359-60 Biomedical Science Division (Veterinary Parasitology) Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.

Kip Cullimore, MD

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Another kitty dandruff incognito sleuth! I have one, and onlyone, vet who assumes the infestation is endemic, and will treat empiricallyif I send the patient. There is another great reference in the fabulousBritish book on Arthropods-I will check my shelf tomorrow. It is a musthave book along with Art's book and Wolverton's book and Shelley's book anddu Vivier's. They do bite several times in a pretty well circumscribedarea, may be evanescent, and lots of times have central vesico-pustules.Patients like this diagnosis much better than fleas, which is akin totelling them (they feel) that they keep a dirty house , don't wash, andare covered by coodies.I am glad someone else out there practices veterinary medicine! Yes, Iknow there are veterinary dermatologists.......but have you ever been totheir meeting at the academy. I could barely stay quiet, let alone seated.They call everything "pemphigus" or staph.Diane Thaler--------------------

Cats and Mites III

Our kitten had the following symptoms: Constant sneezing, rubbing the eyes, itchiness, and dandruff on the back. These are all symptoms of cheyletiella mites. Apparently 58% of cats with cheyletiella mites come up with a negative result. Chipmunks, birds, and squirrels can carry this mite. They can live for up to 14 days in the environment without a hoste. They can infest humans, usually transiently but one scientifically documented case exists where the human retained the lifecycle of the mites. They can cause itchy rashes in humans and macular papules similar to what I have had. Sometimes when the cats are very itchy, I get covered in small bites just by carrying them or holding them. This is also common with cheyletiella. Considering that they have such a wide range of hosts, this is very possibly the mite that my small family has been dealing with. One scientific paper I read said that Selamectin (Revolution) over a period of three months once a month got rid of them. Another vet site recommended Selamectin every 15 days or ivermectin (Heartgard) once a week. The environment would also have to be treated. These mites are also small enough that they easily escape the eyes and usually the dandruff is the teltale mark. So, it may be that I have dealt with this for two years and it is a somewhat common parasite. We'll see.