Association between infestation by Lynxacarus radovskyi (Acari: Lystrophoridae) and the occurrence of feline eosinophilic granuloma complex

Abstract

Lynxacarus radovskyi are mites commonly found within domestic feline hair stems. The infested animal presents an opaque fur with a “salt and pepper” aspect. The contamination may occur by direct contact with other infected animals or by fomites, and the main diagnostic tool is the direct examination of the fur. The Feline Eosinophilic Granuloma Complex (FEGC) is a dermatological pattern of an immune answer against many types of injuries in felines, mainly during allergic reactions, and the treatment of choice are corticosteroids. The objective of this work was to document the linxcariosis cases at the Veterinary Hospital Professor Ricardo Alexandre Hippler—University of Vila Velha. Futhermore, the work also meant to research the association between the parasite contagion and the occurrence of FEGC injuries, which commonly occurred. Between April 2017 and August 2018, there were 8 reported cases of felines infested with L. radovskyi. The diagnoses were made with Acetate tape impression or by direct fur examination. Seven out of the eight cats presented with at least one characteristic injury of the FEGC. In all of them the chosen treatment was moxidectin or spot-on imidacloprid plus corticotherapy on the cats with FEGC, which were effective.