Journal article
A Tractable Experimental Model for Study of Human and Animal Scabies
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Vol.4(7), e756
2010
Abstract
Background: Scabies is a parasitic skin infestation caused by the burrowing mite Sarcoptes scabiei. It is common worldwide and spreads rapidly under crowded conditions, such as those found in socially disadvantaged communities of Indigenous populations and in developing countries. Pruritic scabies lesions facilitate opportunistic bacterial infections, particularly Group A streptococci. Streptococcal infections cause significant sequelae and the increased community streptococcal burden has led to extreme levels of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease in Australia's Indigenous communities. In addition, emerging resistance to currently available therapeutics emphasizes the need to identify potential targets for novel chemotherapeutic and/or immunological intervention. Scabies research has been severely limited by the availability of parasites, and scabies remains a truly neglected infectious disease. We report development of a tractable model for scabies in the pig, Sus domestica. Methodology/Principal Findings: Over five years and involving ten independent cohorts, we have developed a protocol for continuous passage of Sarcoptes scabiei var. suis. To increase intensity and duration of infestation without generating animalwelfare issues we have optimised an immunosuppression regimen utilising daily oral treatment with 0.2mg/kg dexamethasone. Only mild, controlled side effects are observed, and mange infection can be maintained indefinitely providing large mite numbers (.6000 mites/g skin) formolecular-based research on scabies. In pilot experiments we explore whether any adaptation of the mite population is reflected in genetic changes. Phylogenetic analysis was performed comparing sets of genetic data obtained from pig mites collected from naturally infected pigs with data from pig mites collected from the most recent cohort. Conclusions/Significance: A reliable pig/scabies animal model will facilitate in vivo studies on host immune responses to scabies including the relations to the associated bacterial pathogenesis and more detailed studies of molecular evolution and host adaption. It is a most needed tool for the further investigation of this important and widespread parasitic disease.
Details
- Title
- A Tractable Experimental Model for Study of Human and Animal Scabies
- Authors
- Kate E Mounsey (Author) - University of QueenslandM-F Ho (Author) - University of QueenslandA Kelly (Author) - University of QueenslandC Willis (Author) - University of QueenslandC J Pasay (Author) - University of QueenslandD J Kemp (Author) - University of QueenslandJ S McCarthey (Author) - University of QueenslandK Fischer (Author) - University of Queensland
- Publication details
- PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Vol.4(7), e756; 6
- Publisher
- Public Library of Science
- Date published
- 2010
- DOI
- 10.1371/journal.pntd.0000756
- ISSN
- 1935-2727
- Copyright note
- Copyright © 2010 Mounsey et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. This published version is reproduced in accordance with this policy.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Health - Biomedicine; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99450400602621
- Output Type
- Journal article
Metrics
72 File views/ downloads
605 Record Views
InCites Highlights
These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Infectious Diseases
- Parasitology
- Tropical Medicine
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
Source: InCites