Chigger Mite (Acari: Trombiculidae) Survey of Rodents in Shandong Province, Northern China.
10.3347/kjp.2017.55.5.555
- Author:
Xiao Dan HUANG
1
;
Peng CHENG
;
Yu Qiang ZHAO
;
Wen Juan LI
;
Jiu Xu ZHAO
;
Hong Mei LIU
;
Jing Xuan KOU
;
Mao Qing GONG
Author Information
1. Shandong Academy of Medicine Sciences, Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Jining, Shandong Province 272033, People’s Republic of China. gmq2005@163.com
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Leptotrombidium scutellare;
Leptotrombidium intermedia;
chigger mite;
species;
rodent;
Shandong Province;
China
- MeSH:
Animals;
Arthropods;
Arvicolinae;
China*;
Cricetinae;
Cricetulus;
Humans;
Invertebrates;
Mice;
Mites*;
Murinae;
Neptune;
Parasites;
Prevalence;
Public Health;
Rats;
Rodentia*;
Scrub Typhus;
Seasons;
Trombiculidae*;
Vertebrates;
Zoonoses
- From:The Korean Journal of Parasitology
2017;55(5):555-559
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Chigger mites are parasites of rodents and other vertebrates, invertebrates, and other arthropods, and are the only vectors of scrub typhus, in addition to other zoonoses. Therefore, investigating their distribution, diversity, and seasonal abundance is important for public health. Rodent surveillance was conducted at 6 districts in Shandong Province, northern China (114–112°E, 34–38°N), from January to December 2011. Overall, 225/286 (78.7%) rodents captured were infested with chigger mites. A total of 451 chigger mites were identified as belonging to 5 most commonly collected species and 3 genera in 1 family. Leptotrombidium scutellare and Leptotrombidium intermedia were the most commonly collected chigger mites. L. scutellare (66.2%, 36.7%, and 49.0%) was the most frequently collected chigger mite from Apodemus agrarius, Rattus norvegicus, and Microtus fortis, respectively, whereas L. intermedia (61.5% and 63.2%) was the most frequently collected chigger mite from Cricetulus triton and Mus musculus, respectively. This study demonstrated a relatively high prevalence of chigger mites that varied seasonally in Shandong Province, China.
