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Objectives: Otitis externa is seen clinically in cats, although studies investigating this condition within the UK are lacking. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Otodectes cynotis mites and microbial infection in the ear canals of cats in various rescue centres and a referral hospital., Methods: Otoscopy was performed in 332 cats. Otoscopic findings were noted, including the gross visualisation of Otodectes species. A sample of cerumen was collected for cytological evaluation and a cerumen smear for detection of Otodectes mites if there was a large amount of aural exudate present., Results: O cynotis infestation was noted in 3/341 cats (0.9%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.3-2.6). A total of 129/341 (37.8%; 95% CI 32.7-43.0) cats were found to have Malassezia species within one or both ears. Bacteria were found unilaterally in 9/341 (2.6%; 95% CI 1.4-4.9) cats. Analysis of the cytological findings showed an increased likelihood for Malassezia species to be present as age increased (n = 293; Pearson r = 0.204, P <0.001). There was also an increased likelihood of finding Malassezia species in both ears if found within one ear (n = 327; r = 0.499, P <0.001). There was a positive correlation between the number of Malassezia organisms and the quantity of aural exudate (n = 338; r = 0.778, P <0.001). Cats in which Otodectes species infestation were noted (n = 3) had moderate or large quantities of cerumen., Conclusions and Relevance: This study shows that there was a low prevalence of O cynotis in this cohort of cats. In normal cats it was not unusual to find Malassezia microorganisms upon aural cytology, bacteria were noted far less frequently and in two cats this was associated with underlying anatomical pathology.

We found the ear mite parasite ( Otodectes cynotis ; Acari: Psoroptidae) in two distant insular endangered fox populations in Chile. We identified O. cynotis in both the Darwin's fox ( Pseudalopex fulvipes ) from Chiloé and the Fuegian culpeo ( Pseudalopex culpaeus lycoides ) in Tierra del Fuego. These populations are approximately 2,000 km apart. Infestation rates were high for both endemic foxes: 76% (19/25) of Darwin's foxes were affected, and 73% (11/15) of Fuegian culpeos had ear mites. Two Darwin's foxes had abundant ear discharge, and one of these also exhibited secondary infections of Morganella morganii and Geotrichum sp. fungi. Mites were characterized molecularly as Otodectes spp. for the Fuegian culpeo samples. Genetic analyses of two mites found the O. cynotis genotype I, as well as what appeared to be a new allele sequence for O. cynotis . These results confirmed the hypothesis of a worldwide distribution species of ear mite. Introduced chilla foxes ( Pseudalopex griseus ; n =11) on Tierra del Fuego Island and domestic dogs ( Canis lupus familiaris ; n =379) from both islands were also sampled, but they showed no signs of infection. Our findings provided insight into the genetic diversity, the origins, and the possible impact of this globally distributed mite on endemic free-ranging populations of foxes.

Harbour porpoises are often found to be infected by endoparasites in several organs including the lungs and stomach as well as the heart, liver and ears. Nevertheless there is still little knowledge about the impact, ecology, transmission, and virulence of these parasitic infections. Here, we profile the presence of parasites in 4 frequently infected organs (lungs, stomach, liver and ears) in relation to biological parameters of harbour porpoises stranded along the Dutch coastline between December 2008 and December 2013. We found that parasites were common, with prevalence of 68% in lungs, 74.4% in ears, 26% in stomach and 23.5% in liver. We used generalised linear models to further quantify parasite presence in relation to biological data gathered during necropsy (sex, body length and nutritive condition). Body length (used as a proxy for age) was significant in explaining parasite presence for all organs with increasing probability of having the parasite with increasing body length. For the parasitic infections in the ears and stomach the nutritive condition was an additional significant factor, with a higher probability of parasite presence in porpoises in a poorer nutritive condition. The results of this study can be used as a baseline for assessing parasite presence in harbour porpoises and are a first step towards linking parasite infections to basic biological data gathered during necropsy.

Psoroptes, a globally occurring mite, and Raillietia, a primarily tropical mite, have been attributed to otitis in ruminants. Within the Caribbean, little is known about the prevalence of these mites and their relation to the microbial flora of the ears. From May 2015 to May 2016, ears of cattle, sheep and goats brought to the St. Kitts abattoir were examined post-slaughter for mite infestations. No Raillietia spp. were seen and none of the sheep had ear mites. Psoroptes spp. were found in 2.6% of the cattle and 22.6% of the goats. Tick control programs, focused on cattle and sheep, might influence the occurrence seen in this study., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Psoroptes cuniculi, a nonburrowing ear mite, is a common ectoparasite of rabbits. Constant irritation of the auditory canal by the presence of this mite can lead to otitis externa or otoacariasis., Objective: The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of fluralaner on rabbits naturally infested with P. cuniculi and exhibiting clinical signs., Animals: Fifteen female New Zealand domestic rabbits with otitis due to naturally occurring infestation with P. cuniculi., Methods: The external ears and ear canals of each individual were examined; samples of otic exudate were extracted with cotton swabs and examined microscopically for identification of the ectoparasite. Each animal was treated with a single 25 mg/kg oral dose of fluralaner. The amount of otic exudate/cerumen was assessed and samples were obtained from the ears to evaluate for presence or absence of mites at 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 40 and 90 days after receiving treatment., Results: Post-treatment, the amount of otic exudate decreased rapidly in all animals; by Day 12 and until the end of the study all rabbits were judged to have low amount of exudate with normally visible canals. The percentage of ears positive for P. cuniculi decreased to 13.3% of ears sampled by Day 4, and by Day 12 all rabbits were negative for the parasite., Conclusion: Administration of a single oral dose of fluralaner was effective for the treatment of naturally occurring P. cuniculi infestation in rabbits during a 90 day period., (© 2017 ESVD and ACVD.)

:  Two of three groups of Patagonian cavies ( Dolichotis patagonum ) contracted Otodectes cynotis infestations after exposure to mite-infested feral cats. Otodectes cynotis infestations were initially identified in 9 of 10 cavies in group 1. Multiple feral cats with O. cynotis infestations were observed in the vicinity of the Patagonian cavies and were subsequently removed. The Patagonian cavies were initially treated with ivermectin (0.4 mg/kg s.q.) every 2 wk, but ivermectin was discontinued after the third treatment due to injury to one of the Patagonian cavies during capture. Sixteen months after initial treatment, clinical signs of scratching the pinnae, hemorrhagic lesions on the ear margins, head shaking, and O. cynotis mites in the auricular canal were again noted in all Patagonian cavies in group 1. Repeated administration of ivermectin (0.4 mg/kg s.q. every 2 wk for three treatments) failed to eliminate the mites in two of the Patagonian cavies. Selamectin administered (20 mg/kg, topically between the shoulder blades) to all Patagonian cavies eliminated the mite infestation after a single application. The Patagonian cavies remained O. cynotis mite free for 2 yr, until males (group 2) and females (group 3) were separated for population control. Three months after separation, 8 of the 12 females in group 3 again were infestated with O. cynotis mites. Feral cats with O. cynotis infestations were again noted in the vicinity of group 3. A single dose of selamectin applied topically eliminated all mites in all treated Patagonian cavies. Group 2 was not exposed to feral cats and remained mite free.

Tick infestation in humans is a major public health concern. The diversity and distribution of tick species associated with human otoacariasis was studied in five districts: Anuradhapura, Kandy, Kurunegala, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura in the main agro-climatic zones of Sri Lanka. Ticks from patients attending the ear, nose and throat clinics of the General Hospitals were collected during a 3 year period. In total 426 ticks were collected. Most human otoacariasis cases were reported from Kandy (33.8 %) and the fewest from Nuwara Eliya (8.2 %). Of the five tick species identified, nymphs of Dermacentor auratus constituted 90.6 % of the collection. Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Hyalomma isaaci, Haemaphysalis bispinosa and Otobius megnini were found rarely infesting humans possibly as an accidental host; H. bispinosa and O. megnini in the human ear canal were first time records in Sri Lanka. Females and children under 10 years were identified as risk groups of human otoacariasis. Subsequently, a field study was carried out to determine socio-ecological risk factors of human tick infestations in the five districts. Based on hospital data, eight villages with high prevalence of otoacariasis were selected from each district. A total 40 villages were visited and 1674 household members were interviewed. Involvement in outdoor activities, presence of wild animals around the house, location of the house in close proximity to a forest and occupation were identified as major risk factors.

Ear mites (Otodectes cynotis) and ear canal tumors are highly prevalent among federally endangered Island foxes (Urocyon littoralis catalinae) living on Santa Catalina Island off the coast of Southern California. Since studies began in the 1990s, nearly all foxes examined were found to be infected with ear mites, and ceruminous gland tumors (carcinomas and adenomas) were detected in approximately half of all foxes ≥ 4 years of age. We hypothesized that reduction of ear mite infection would reduce otitis externa and ceruminous gland hyperplasia, a risk factor for tumor development. In this study, we conducted a randomized field trial to assess the impact of acaricide treatment on ear mite prevalence and intensity of infection, otitis externa, ceruminous gland hyperplasia, and mite-specific IgG and IgE antibody levels. Treatment was highly effective at eliminating mites and reducing otitis externa and ceruminous gland hyperplasia, and mite-specific IgG antibody levels were significantly lower among uninfected foxes. Ceruminous gland hyperplasia increased in the chronically infected, untreated foxes during the six month study. Our results provide compelling evidence that acaricide treatment is an effective means of reducing ear mites, and that mite removal in turn reduces ear lesions and mite-specific IgG antibody levels in Santa Catalina Island foxes. This study has advanced our understanding of the underlying pathogenesis which results in ceruminous gland tumors, and has helped inform management decisions that impact species conservation.

A clinical field investigation was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of 10% imidacloprid/2.5% moxidectin for the treatment of ear mites (Otodectes cynotis) in dogs. The study was a multi-centered, blinded, positive controlled, randomized clinical trial conducted under field conditions with privately owned pets. A total of 17 veterinary clinics enrolled cases for the study. An otoscopic examination was performed to confirm the presence of O. cynotis residing in the ear of the dog prior to enrollment. A single-dog household was enrolled in the study if the dog had 5 or more ear mites and an acceptable physical examination. A multi-dog household was eligible if at least one dog in the household had 5 or more mites and all dogs in the household had acceptable physical exams and met the inclusion criteria. Qualified households were randomly assigned to treatments to receive either 10% imidacloprid+2.5% moxidectin topical solution or topical selamectin solution (positive control product) according to a pre-designated enrollment ratio of 2:1, respectively. If more than one dog in a multiple dog household had adequate numbers of ear mites, one dog was randomly selected to represent the household for efficacy evaluation prior to treatment. Treatments were administered twice per label and dose banding directions for each product approximately 28 days apart (Days 0 and 28), by the dog's owner at the study site. All dogs in a household were treated on the same day and with the same product. The owners completed a post-treatment observation form one day after each treatment. Post-treatment otoscopic examinations were performed by the investigators or attending veterinarian on Days 28 and 56. Physical examinations were performed on Days 0 and 56. One hundred and four (104) households were evaluated for efficacy on SD 28, and 102 households were evaluated for efficacy on SD 56. The dogs' ages ranged from 2 months to 16 years. A total of 247 dogs were evaluated for safety. Percent efficacy was based on the percentage of dogs cleared of ear mites. Mite clearance on Day 28 was 71% for the imidacloprid+moxidectin group and 69% for the selamectin group. Mite clearance on Day 56 was 82% for the imidacloprid+moxidectin group and 74% for the selamectin group. No serious adverse events associated with either product were observed during the study. The study demonstrated that 10% imidacloprid+2.5% moxidectin applied using two topical treatments, 28 days apart, was safe and achieved similar efficacy against O. cynotis as selamectin treatments applied and evaluated under the same conditions., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Myiasis is the infestation of live humans (or animals) by fly larvae. Although the diagnosis is relatively straightforward, how to best treat aural myiasis has not been well described in the literature. This comprehensive literature review, therefore, was performed to identify current management principles in aural myiasis, especially with regard to the causative fly family. In addition, we explore the possible relationship between aural myiasis and the highly lethal intracranial myiasis., Data Sources: Literature review using the Medline database (PubMed), Scopus, and Google Scholar., Review Methods: Manuscripts published in the English language between January 1, 1992, and December 31, 2012, were included., Results: Forty-five cases of aural myiasis were reported in 34 manuscripts. Most cases were caused by species of the Sarcophagidae family (n=26/45, 57.8%). The majority of cases (n=40/45, 88.9%) were successfully treated with simple aural toilet and topical treatments alone. No deaths were reported and no cases were seen in conjunction with intracranial myiasis., Conclusion: Aural myiasis is a rare but benign fly infestation of the ear, most commonly by species of the Sarcophagidae family. The overwhelming majority of cases can be successfully managed without the need for surgical intervention., (© The Author(s) 2014.)

Cochliomyia hominivorax, the New World screwworm, was a serious livestock pest in the southern United States until the 1960s, when it was successfully eradicated by the release of sterile male flies. It remains endemic in parts of the Caribbean and South America, and there is concern that climate change may extend its geographic distribution. Cochliomyia hominivorax is voracious and can cause extensive damage to soft tissue and bone. We describe the case of a 26-year-old traveler who presented with otalgia and bloody otorrhea after returning from a vacation in the Dominican Republic, where exposure to screwworm flies most likely occurred during a nap on the beach. The causative agent was recognized by its characteristic larval anatomy, which includes pigmented dorsal tracheal trunks and posterior spiracles with an open peritreme., (© The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.)

Herein is reported the first case in Thailand of aural myiasis caused by the flesh fly, Parasarcophaga (Liosarcophaga) dux (Thomson). A 5-day-old infant was taken to hospital with a slightly bloody ear. Two fly larvae exiting the ear and another recovered by a physician were alive, and confirmed as P. dux species from adult examination results. This case brought attention to the need for protection against synanthropic flies, particularly for infants and/or hearing impaired patients.

Here we report the first human case of an outer ear canal infection with a free-living nematode of the genus Rhabditis. Otomicroscopy revealed viable worms in the outer ear canal of a patient suffering from chronic otorrhea and hearing loss. The nematode was identified by microscopy and internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-PCR.

Introduction: Zoonoses are infections transmitted from animal to man, either directly (through direct contact or contact with animal products) or indirectly (through an intermediate vector, such as an arthropod). The causative agents include bacteria, parasites, viruses, and fungi. The purpose of this review is to make an accurate examination of all zoonotic diseases that can be responsible of ear, nose, and throat (ENT) involvement., Methodology: A PubMed search was performed combining the terms (otorhinolaryngology OR rhinology OR laryngology OR otology OR mastoiditis OR otitis OR sinusitis OR laryngitis OR rhinitis OR pharyngitis OR epiglottitis OR dysphonia OR ear OR larynx OR nose OR pharynx) with each one of the etiological agents of zoonoses for the period between January 1997 and August 2012 without language restrictions., Results: A total of 164 articles were selected and examined. Larynx was the most commonly involved ENT organ, followed by oral cavity, pharynx, and neck. Bacteria were the most representative microorganisms involved. Nose and major salivary glands were affected most frequently by protozoa; paranasal sinus, oral cavity, ear, neck, nerves and upper airway by bacteria; and larynx by fungi., Conclusions: ENT symptoms and signs may be present in many zoonotic diseases, some of which are also present in industrialized countries. Most zoonotic diseases are not commonly encountered by ENT specialists. Appreciation of the possible occurrence of these diseases is important for a correct microbiological approach, which often requires special culture media and diagnostic techniques.

Otomyiasis was diagnosed in the right ear of a 3-month-old goose. Twenty-three of 25 larvae were in the meatus acusticus externus, and 2 larvae were under the skin. The larvae were in the third larval stage of Sarcophaga spp. by microscopic examination. A case of otomyiasis was reported in goose for the first time in the world on the basis of morphological characteristics (macroscopic and microscopic evaluation) in this communication.

A study based on naturally infested cats was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a single treatment with a topical formulation containing fipronil, (S)-methoprene, eprinomectin and praziquantel, for the prevention of Otodectes cynotis infestation in cats. Six treated cats and six untreated cats were housed with three chronically Otodectes cynotis-infested cats, respectively. The cats of each group were kept together in a 20-m(2) room for 1 month. Both clinical examination and ear mite counts were conducted on Day 28. All donor cats were confirmed to be chronically infested with Otodectes cynotis on Day -1 and Day 28. From untreated control cats, 129 live mites were recovered on Day 28 and all cats were found to be infested. In the treated group, three cats were found to be infested, with a total of five live mites recovered, the difference between the two groups being significant (p = 0.003). One treatment corresponded to 96% preventive efficacy at Day 28 based on ear mite counts. With regard to cerumen, the clinical score increased significantly for untreated cats between Day -1 and Day 28 (p = 0.00026) and not for treated cats (p = 0.30). The difference in cerumen abundance was significant between untreated and treated cats on Day 28 (p = 0.0035). Concerning the pruritic reflex in at least one ear, all cats were negative at inclusion. All six untreated cats became positive and showed a reflex on Day 28, whereas no treated cat showed ear pruritus (p = 0.00026)., (© F. Beugnet et al., published by EDP Sciences, 2014.)

Objective: The aim of this study was evaluate the efficacy of the use of selamectine in the treatment of O. cynotis in Van Cats., Methods: The material of this study comprised of 30 Van Cat which were infected., Results: In the clinical examination; restlessness, head shaking, scratching at the ears and wax in both ears with brown-black colored cerumens were found. In the otoscopic examination and analysing the samples, O. cynotis was determined. For treatment, single dose selamectin was given. At the 15th and 30th day after treatment, otoscopic and microscopic examinations were repeated. In the 15th day after the treatment, it was found that clinical symptoms seen in the animals were significantly reduced, only the cerumens in 4 cats remained. Besides, at the 30th day, it is found that all the clinical symptoms disappeared in all animals, and with the otoscopic and microscopic examination it was found that there were no agents of O. cynotis., Conclusion: As a result, due to the ease of usage in cats housed in a crowd and the reason the efficiency for the treatment used as a single dose, selamectine is efficient for treating O. cynotis in Van Cats and it can be used safely.

Elephant ear mites, not previously described in North America, were eradicated in two African elephants (Loxodonta africana) after six otic instillations of ivermectin at 2-wk intervals. The microscopic examination of a clear, mucoid discharge collected from the external ear canals of two wild-born African elephants housed in a New York State zoo for 25 yr revealed live mites (Loxoaneotus bassoni). The cytologic examination demonstrated no evidence of inflammation or infection. Both elephants were asymptomatic with normal hemograms and serum chemistry panels. A diagnosis of otoacariasis was made. Each elephant was treated six times with 5 ml of 1% ivermectin syrup instilled in each ear canal once every 2 wk. Microscopic examinations of clear mucus collected from each elephant's ear canals 9 days after the first instillation of ivermectin were negative for any life stages of ear mites. Microscopic examinations of mucus collected from both elephants' ear canals at 6, 11, and 16 wk, as well as annually post-treatment for 7 yr, confirmed eradication of the ear mites. The L. bassoni ear mite was first identified in the external ear canals of wild, asymptomatic, lesion-free, African elephants culled in Kruger National Park in South Africa. However, a new species in the same genus of mites (Loxoanoetus lenae) was identified at the necropsy of an 86-yr-old Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) living in a circus in Australia. The autopsy revealed a marked, ballooning distension of bone around the left external acoustic meatus, suggestive of mite-induced otitis externa, as seen in cattle infested with ear mites (Raillieta auris). Elephant health care providers should identify the prevalence of, and consider treatment of, elephants in their care infested with ear mites, given the possible risk for adverse health effects.

In this study, the efficacy and safety of a treatment with the combination imidacloprid 10 %/ moxidectin 1.0 % spot-on (Advocate(®) spot-on for small cats and ferrets) was tested in 39 ferrets naturally infested with ear mites (Otodectes cynotis). The study was performed as a multicentre, non-randomised, non-controlled (all study animals were treated) and non-blinded clinical field study in two French veterinary practices. Four visits (day (D) 0 = inclusion and first treatment, D14 = second treatment, D28 = possible third treatment, D56 = termination) were planned. The dosage was one pipet per ferret (designed for cats weighing up to 4 kg, corresponding to a dose of moxidectin ranging from 2.2 to 5 mg/kg body weight) two or three times at 14-days intervals (at D0, D14 and possibly D28 depending on the parasitological examination of the ears at D28). The main efficacy criterion was the absence of the parasite (all stages incl. eggs, larvae, nymphs and adults) from ear scrapings by microscopic examination. At D28 after two treatments (D0 and D14), 76.9 % (30/39) of animals were cured. Only 23 % (9/39) needed a third treatment. At day 56, 100 % were cured. Local symptoms (inflammation and pruritus) were consistently improved (50.6 % improvement at D14, 81.0 % at D28 and 97.9 % at D56) as well as the abnormal cerumen production (14.7 % improvement at D14, 77.7 % at D28 and 100.0 % at D56). No general symptoms were noticed during the study (general health and skin aspect). Advocate(®) spot-on for small cats and ferrets is an effective and safe treatment for ear mite infection in ferrets. Two or three treatments administered in 14-days intervals to ferrets infested with ear mites provided 100 % parasitological cure on D56.

Otobius megnini has an autogenous 1 host life cycle, where larvae and nymphs stay attached inside the ear canal for long periods, but the adult tick is free living and can lay several egg batches without feeding. In order to obtain information about anatomical structures involved in this particular life cycle, nymphs and adults of O. megnini were dissected and salivary gland images were obtained in situ with the use of scanning electronic microscopy. Measurements of salivary alveoli were obtained with the use of ImageJ 1.40 g software. In the nymphs, the Type I alveoli are relatively small (mean diameter: 19.6 µm) compared with those of the adults (mean: 43.4 µm) and other soft ticks in the literature. Type II alveoli in nymphs are similar (mean: 82.6 µm) to previously described alveoli in adult soft ticks. In contrast, the adults of O. megnini Type II alveoli are smaller (mean: 36.8 µm) and have a wrinkled surface. These findings provide more evidence that Type I alveoli take part in absorption of moisture during the free-living tick stages.

Cochliomyia hominivorax causes 80% of human myiasis in Argentina. Nowadays, its geographic distribution covers tropical South America and an important region of Argentina. In the present report, two clinical cases of otomyiasis by C. hominivorax in pediatric patients assisted at the Hospital de Clinicas of Buenos Aires, Argentina are described. The relevance of the taxonomic identification lies in the fact that this species produces severe symptoms owing to the capacity of its larvae to drill the bones and cause the host's death.

Aural myiasis is a rare otolaryngological disease typically seen in poor hygienic conditions and medically disabled patients. We present a case of aural myiasis in a healthy woman who had no apparent risk factors for infestation and required extensive surgical intervention. We also discuss the literature of documented otolaryngological cases of myiasis and effective therapies. In our patient, symptoms of otalgia, otorrhea, and tinnitus resolved after multiple attempts at extraction resulted in successful eradication of larvae. The patient required tympanoplasty to reconstruct the damaged external and middle ear. Physicians should have a clinical suspicion of aural myiasis in patients with a travel history and an atypical presentation of acute otalgia and otorrhea.

A murine model of cutaneous leishmaniasis with green fluorescent protein positive (GFP+) L. major enables the monitoring of parasitic load via measurements of GFP fluorescence intensity, allowing for a faster and more efficient way of monitoring the clinical outcome of photodynamic therapy (PDT). This model may provide new insights on the phototoxic aspects in PDT. Although PDT regimens may be somewhat different in humans, it is expected that the developed model will facilitate the optimization and clinical translation of PDT as a therapy for cutaneous leishmaniasis and the eventual development of topical PDT treatments for other granulomatous infections., (((c) 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim).)

From May 2007 to May 2008 we have examined by otoscopy a total number of 214 cats, aged between 0 and 6 months, brought in for their first veterinary examination to a private veterinary clinic. All cats were of urban origin. In all positive cats we performed a washing of the ear using warm paraffin oil in order to determine intensity of infection. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-square test. A total number of 30 cats were found to be infected with Otodectes cynotis (prevalence 14.02%). Prevalence of infection was significantly (p<0.05) higher in cats aged between 3 and 6 months (17.58%) than in cats aged below 3 months (11.38). Intensity of infection ranged between 7 and 85 (mean intensity 35.60) mites per infected cat. The same age group of cats between 3 and 6 months had significantly (p<0.05) higher mean intensity (47.19) compared to cats aged under 3 months (22.36). No statistical significance was found between males and females for neither prevalence nor intensity. Differences and similarities with other studies are discussed.

We report on an 84-year-old woman with chronic pruritic otitis externa and myringitis. Microbiological and mycological investigations failed to establish the cause, but histology revealed a large amount of Demodex mites. Topical treatment for this ectoparasite resulted in a complete remission. The myringitis was eventually treated successfully with myringoplasty. To the best of our knowledge this is the first case report on Demodex-induced otitis externa and myringitis.

Otic myiasis is rare in developed countries and is related to environmental conditions and poor hygiene. We present the case of a 65-year-old woman with pain and tinnitus in the left ear lasting for one week. Physical examination in the emergency room showed numerous dipteran larvae totally occupying the external auditory canal. After the diagnosis of otic myiasis, the larvae were removed and the patient was discharged after 24 hours of medical observation. The diagnosis of otic myiasis is by means of direct visualization of the larvae in the ear cavities and treatment includes the removal of larvae from the ear. Prognosis is generally good.

Myiasis is a disease caused by fly larvae. Although adult cases have been reported, neonatal myiasis is a rare condition and there are few reports about this subject. In this article, we report a 12-day-old female neonate who was referred to us due to larvae in her eyes and ears. She was infected with Lucilia spp. larvae and was treated with proper antibiotics.

Background: Sand fly saliva has an array of pharmacological and immunomodulatory components, and immunity to saliva protects against Leishmania infection. In the present study, we have studied the immune response against Lutzomyia intermedia saliva, the main vector of Leishmania braziliensis in Brazil, and the effects of saliva pre-exposure on L. braziliensis infection employing an intradermal experimental model., Methodology/principal Findings: BALB/c mice immunized with L. intermedia salivary gland sonicate (SGS) developed a saliva-specific antibody response and a cellular immune response with presence of both IFN-gamma and IL-4. The inflammatory infiltrate observed in SGS-immunized mice was comprised of numerous polymorphonuclear and few mononuclear cells. Mice challenged with live L. braziliensis in the presence of saliva were not protected although lesion development was delayed. The inoculation site and draining lymph node showed continuous parasite replication and low IFN-gamma to IL-4 ratio, indicating that pre-exposure to L. intermedia saliva leads to modulation of the immune response. Furthermore, in an endemic area of cutaneous leishmaniasis, patients with active lesions displayed higher levels of anti-L. intermedia saliva antibodies when compared to individuals with a positive skin test result for Leishmania., Conclusion: These results show that pre-exposure to sand fly saliva plays an important role in the outcome of cutaneous leishmaniasis, in both mice and humans. They emphasize possible hurdles in the development of vaccines based on sand fly saliva and the need to identify and select the individual salivary candidates instead of using whole salivary mixture that may favor a non-protective response.

A 31-year-old Saudi man was seen at an ear, nose, and throat clinic at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with bilateral itching in the external auditory canal. On otoscopic examination, the skin lining the ear canal was thickened with whitish sheets of sloughed cells and thick discharge. Large numbers of mites of an undescribed species closely related to members of the genus Loxanoetus (Histiostomatidae) were present. The patient underwent successive washings of the ear canal with saline and 70% ethanol at intervals of 2-3 months and was treated with antibiotics. Treatment with Eurax (crotamiton) ear drops for one week cleared the mite infestation. This represents the first reported case of human otoacariasis involving a histiostomatid mite. Based on the known biology of histiostomatid mites and the associated hosts of Loxanoetus and related genera, there is reason to speculate that the patient acquired the infestation while swimming in a lake or pond where this mite was present.

We report three cases of human otomyiasis observed in rural Moroccan children. Myiasis of external orifices usually occurs from neglected chronic lesions of the patients with poor personal hygiene. The parasitologic identification revealed Wohlfahrtia magnifica. Wohlfahrtiosis is common myiasis of sheep and goats in Mediterranean basin. Through this paper we underline the epidemiological, pathogenic, clinical and therapeutic aspects of this parasitosis.

We describe here the first documented case in Austria of the cattle ear mite Raillietia auris in a four-year-old dairy cow. The cow was mildly depressed, and keratoconjunctivitis was diagnosed in both eyes with Horner's syndrome in the left eye. The animal showed a mild head tilt to the left and a generalized ataxia with a tendency to move to the right side, which became exacerbated if the animal was blind-folded. Head pressing to the right side, dysphagia and a dropped jaw were also observed. Numerous rather mobile ear mites were observed at necropsy in the basal part of the left ear canal. The clinical significance of the cattle ear mite is uncertain and the clinical signs could have been caused by listerial encephalitis, which was also confirmed histologically in this case.

Efficacy and safety of treatment with imidacloprid 10%+moxidectin 2.5% spot-on (Advocate, Advantage multi; Bayer AG, Leverkusen, Germany) were tested in dogs naturally infested with Sarcoptes scabiei or Otodectes cynotis in a multi-centre, controlled, randomized, blinded field study conducted in France, Germany, Albania and the UK. The study was performed according to a non-inferiority design to demonstrate that the efficacy of imidacloprid/moxidectin spot-on was not inferior to that of a control product containing selamectin (Stronghold spot-on; Pfizer). All Sarcoptes-infested dogs were topically treated twice (days 0 and 28) with the dosage recommended by the respective manufacturer (27 dogs with imidacloprid/moxidectin, 26 with selamectin). All Otodectes-infested dogs were treated on day 0 (35 dogs with imidacloprid/moxidectin, 34 with selamectin), and only those still positive on day 28 received a second treatment. Parasitological cure rate in Sarcoptes-infested dogs was 100% for both treatments, while parasitological cures rates in the Otodectes-infested dogs at day 28 and day 56 were 68.6 and 85.7% with imidacloprid/moxidectin, and 64.7 and 88.2% with Stronghold. Non-inferiority of Advocate was confirmed statistically. Clinical assessment of skin lesion scores at day 56 showed that with either product >96% of the dogs treated against sarcoptic mange were improved or cured, the difference between the groups being non-significant. On the basis of a final clinical assessment of lesion scores, 80% of the dogs treated with imidacloprid/moxidectin against otoacariosis and 85.3% of those treated with selamectin were rated cured or improved. Only three mild, possibly drug-related adverse reactions were observed among alI treated animals (two in the imidacloprid/moxidectin group, one in the selamectin group). It is concluded that imidacloprid/moxidectin spot-on is an effective and safe treatment for sarcoptic mange and otoacariosis in the dog.