Emerging diseases in poultry: The role of Apolonia tigipioensis Torres and Braga, 1938 (Trombidiformes: Leeuwenhoekiidae) in avian parasitism, including the first record of parasitism in the greater rhea, Rhea americana (L., 1758) (Struthioniformes: Rheidae)

Author(s)

Bassini-Silva, Ricardo ; Pesenato, Isabella Pereira ; de Aquino, Carlos Alberto Queiroz ; Batista, Aksa Ingrid Vieira ; Moreira, Icaro Costa ; dos Santos, Wanderson Lucas Alves ; Batista, Jael Soares ; de Oliveira, Moacir Franco ; Pereira, Josivania Soares ; Jacinavicius, Fernando de Castro

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY- REGIONAL STUDIES AND REPORTS; v. 57, p. 4-pg., 2025-01-01.

Abstract

The larval chigger mite Apolonia tigipioensis Torres and Braga is an obligatory hypodermic parasite found in South America. Its parasitism can significantly affect the host's health, leading to nodular lesions that consequently result in the host's death. This species has been identified in Venezuela and northeastern Brazil (Pernambuco State), primarily infesting birds, but it can affect mammals, including humans. This study presents two cases from northeastern Brazil (Rio Grande do Norte State) involving A. tigipioensis. The first case details the parasitism of domestic chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus), while the second case marks the first record of this species infesting the Greater Rhea (Rhea americana). The latter was also analyzed histopathologically and compared with existing literature records. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 24/01231-0 - Integrative taxonomy of neotropical chiggers (Trombidiformes: Trombiculidae and Leeuwenhoekiidae), including monitoring of pathogens from the families Anaplasmataceae, Bartonellaceae, and Rickettsiaceae
• Grantee: Fernando de Castro Jacinavicius
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 22/11576-0 - Investigation of Rickettsia spp., Orientia spp. and Borrelia spp. in chigger mites (Trombiculidae and Leeuwenhokiidae) from Brazil
• Grantee: Isabella Pereira Pesenato
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 20/11755-6 - Taxonomy and microbiome of mites that parasitize bats in Brazil: study of the presence of pathogens and symbiotic commensal communities in these ectoparasites
• Grantee: Ricardo Bassini Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 19/19853-0 - Chigger mites (Acari: Trombiculidae and Leeuwenhoekiidae) parasites of vertebrates: morphological studies and investigation of the presence of Rickettsia spp
• Grantee: Fernando de Castro Jacinavicius
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants