Histopathological, clinico-biochemical and therapeutic studies on different types of mange in domestic rabbits

Abstract EN

Mange is one of the serious injuries caused by Ectoparasites like Sarcoptes scabiei and Psoroptes cuniculi and the most frequently found in rabbit farms and results in considerable loss of weight, productivity, and fur quality.

Several strategies have been proposed for the treatment of mange caused by these mites, ranging from the use of acaricides, drugs and chemicals such as ivermectin, which involves disadvantages including genotoxic and cytotoxic effects, resistance and environmental damage.

In this study, we examined the oxidative status of the peripheral blood of rabbits infested with Psoroptes cuniculi and Sarcoptes scabiei and investigated the pathogenesis of this disease.

Moreover, comparative study between the the therapeutic effects of topical application of propolis ointment 10 % and subcutaneously injected ivermectin in naturally infested rabbits with Sarcoptes scabiei and Psoroptes cuniculi was done.

Parasitological examination of ear wax and body scraping revealed the presence of living movable stages of both Sarcoptic and Psoroptic mites.

However, microscopical examination of skin scraping and ear wax collected from treated rabbits after 10 days post treatment were negative for adult mites and its developmental stages.

Hematological analysis revealed that RBCs count and PCV % values in infested rabbits were decreased significantly (P<0.

05) (2.2 ± 0.1) and (14 ± 2.3) respectively than control group (4.8 ± 0.2) and (31.8 ± 3.8) respectively.

Treatment with ivermectin and propolis were restored both RBCs count and PCV % values significantly (4.3 ± 0.2) and (21.5 ± 2.2) respectively.

Levels of lipid peroxides and malonyldialdehyde (MDA) were significantly higher in the mange infested rabbits compared with the healthy controls while those of the antioxidant enzymes glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were significantly lower.

Treatment with ivermectin and propolis recovered these peroxides and antioxidant enzymes to approximately normal level.

Regarding biochemical analysis, the levels of Aspartate Amino Transferase (AST) and Alanine Amino Transferase (ALT) in rabbits treated with ivermectin and propolis were decreased significantly (P<0.05) than those of rabbits of the positive control group.

Histopathological examination of skin of infested rabbits revealed hyperkeratosis, acanthosis, subepidermal dermatitis and leukocytic infiltrations.

Treated groups showed improvement in skin lesions manifested by reduction or absence of scales and mite stages.

It was concluded that significant alteration of oxidant/antioxidant balance is a factor in the pathogenesis of mange infestation of rabbits, and recovery can be enhanced by ivermectin treatment and topical application of propolis.