An adult male rufous turtle dove, Streptopelia (S.) orientalis (Aves: Columbiformes), was found dead in Yorii-machi Town, Osato District 369-1217, Saitama Prefecture, Japan, and subjected to necropsy. A large number of immobile hypopi (deutonymphs) of the hypoderatid mite, Hypodectes (H.) propus (Acarina: Hypoderatidae), were found individually encapsulated subcutaneously primarily in the adipose tissue. The mites were 1.43 mm in length and 0.44 mm in width on average, and had provoked mild inflammatory reactions that predominantly manifested as foamy macrophages and lymphoplasmocytes. PCR analysis using ribosomal DNA extracted from paraffin-blocked tissues produced a 240 bp band specific for hypoderatids. Based on the morphological features (distinct coxal apodemes, especially in the anterior portion) and PCR-based findings, the hypopi were identified as H. propus. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case describing the subcutaneous mite H. propus in a rufous turtle dove, S. orientalis, in Japan. This study also highlights the use of paraffin blocks as a source of tissue DNA for molecular evaluation.
Animals ; Bird Diseases/diagnosis/*parasitology/pathology ; Columbidae/*parasitology ; DNA, Ribosomal/genetics ; Formaldehyde/metabolism ; Japan ; Male ; Mite Infestations/diagnosis/parasitology/pathology/*veterinary ; Mites/growth & development/*physiology ; Nymph/growth & development/physiology ; Paraffin Embedding/veterinary ; Polymerase Chain Reaction/veterinary

OBJECTIVETo study the distribution of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome virus (HFRSV) in mites.

METHODSIn situ reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (IS RT-PCR) was used for detecting the distribution of HFRSV in mites.

RESULTSHFRSV RNA was mainly located in ovary and mid-gut tissues of gamasid mites and chigger mites. The positive signal intensity in the third and fourth generations of gamasid mite was stronger than that in the first and second generations, and that in nymph of chigger mite more than larva.

CONCLUSIONBoth chigger mite and gamasid mite could play an important role in the transmission of HFRSV.

Animals ; Digestive System ; virology ; Female ; Hantaan virus ; genetics ; growth & development ; In Situ Hybridization ; methods ; Male ; Mites ; virology ; Nymph ; virology ; Ovary ; virology ; RNA, Viral ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods

OBJECTIVETo study the proliferation and location of hantaan virus (HV) in gamasid mites and chigger mites.

METHODSHV RNA in gamasid mites and chigger mites were detected by reverse transcription, polymerase chain reaction (RT- PCR) and in situ hybridization.

RESULTSThe smallest quantity of mite from which HV RNA could be detected was 5 mites group. The titers of -and proliferated in mites HV RNA could be found in ovary cells and dug cells of gamasid mites and chigger mites by in situ hybridization.

CONCLUSIONSThe results showed that HV could be trans-stadially transmitted and proliferated in mites, and HV always located in ovary and dug organs of mites. These results provide direct evidence at molecular level for the role of gamasid mites and chigger mites as vectors in transmission of HV.

Animals ; Arachnid Vectors ; Cercopithecus aethiops ; Female ; Hantaan virus ; genetics ; growth & development ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization ; Larva ; virology ; Mites ; virology ; Nymph ; virology ; Ovary ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Viral ; analysis ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction