title: Prevalence and intensity of Otodectes cynotis in kittens from Thessaloniki area, Greece.
abstract: From May 2007 to May 2008 we have examined by otoscopy a total number of 214 cats, aged between 0 and 6 months, brought in for their first veterinary examination to a private veterinary clinic. All cats were of urban origin. In all positive cats we performed a washing of the ear using warm paraffin oil in order to determine intensity of infection. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-square test. A total number of 30 cats were found to be infected with Otodectes cynotis (prevalence 14.02%). Prevalence of infection was significantly (p<0.05) higher in cats aged between 3 and 6 months (17.58%) than in cats aged below 3 months (11.38). Intensity of infection ranged between 7 and 85 (mean intensity 35.60) mites per infected cat. The same age group of cats between 3 and 6 months had significantly (p<0.05) higher mean intensity (47.19) compared to cats aged under 3 months (22.36). No statistical significance was found between males and females for neither prevalence nor intensity. Differences and similarities with other studies are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Parasitology, University of Thessaly, Veterinary Faculty, PO Box 199, Karditsa 43100, Greece.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Lefkaditis
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Koukeri
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Mihalca
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D002415:Cats; D004424:Ear Canal / Q000469:parasitology; D004427:Ear Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008924:Mite Infestations / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008925:Mites / Q000254:growth & development; D010032:Otitis Externa / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary; D038781:Otoscopy / Q000662:veterinary; D015995:Prevalence