First report of Coxiella burnetii and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in poultry red-mites, De rmanyssus gallinae (Acari, Mesostigmata) related to urban outbreaks of dermatitis, in Italy

Abstract Background The poultry red-mite (PRM), Dermanyssus gallinae is a non-burrowing hematophagous nest-dwelling ectoparasite of birds; occasionally, it bites humans, inducing dermatitis. The possibility that it may also be involved in transmission of pathogens is an additional concern to the parasite. Aim of this report was to investigate the presence of zoonotic agents in PRMs from bird nests/pet and related to urban outbreaks of dermatitis. Method A total of 98 PRMs from 12 outbreaks of PRM-dermatitis that occurred in Italian cities from 2001 to 2017 were molecularly investigated for detection of Coxiella (C.) spp. (16S rRNA) , Chlamydophila spp. (16S rRNA) , Rickettsia spp. (17kDa protein-encoding gene), Borrelia (B.) burgdorferi sensu lato ( groEL gene) and Bartonella spp. (16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer). Results Of the 12 tested mite pools, one was positive for C. burnetii (100% identity) and two for B. burgdorferi sensu lato (99% with B. afzelii ). Conclusions For the first time, the presence of B. burgdorferi sensu lato and C. burnetii is reported in PRMs from urban areas. Birds, mainly pigeons, can harbor both detected pathogens. Therefore, birds and their nest-dwelling PRMs may play a role in the epidemiology of these infections.