title: Dermanyssus gallinae in layer farms in Kosovo: a high risk for Salmonella prevalence.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The poultry red mite (PRM), Dermanyssus gallinae (D.g.) is a serious ectoparasitic pest of poultry and potential pathogen vector. The prevalence of D. g. and the prevalence of Salmonella spp. within mites on infested laying poultry farms were investigated in Kosovo.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 14 populated layer farms located in the Southern Kosovo were assessed for D. g. presence. Another two farms in this region were investigated 6 months after depopulation. Investigated flocks were all maintained in cages, a common housing system in Kosovo. A total of eight farms were found to be infested with D. g. (50%) at varying levels, including the two depopulated farms. The detection of Salmonella spp. from D. g. was carried out using PCR. Out of the eight layer farms infested with D. g., Salmonella spp. was present in mites on three farms (37.5%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study confirms the high prevalence of D. g. in layer flocks in Kosovo and demonstrates the link between this mite and the presence of Salmonella spp. on infested farms.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary, University of Prishtina, Kosovo. afrimhamidi@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Afrim
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hamidi
authors.forename: Kurtesh
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sherifi
authors.forename: Skender
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Muji
authors.forename: Behlul
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Behluli
authors.forename: Fatgzim
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Latifi
authors.forename: Avni
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Robaj
authors.forename: Rezart
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Postoli
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hess
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hess
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Sparagano
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004478:Ectoparasitic Infestations / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008925:Mites / Q000382:microbiology*; D011200:Poultry; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D015995:Prevalence; D012475:Salmonella / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015022:Yugoslavia / Q000453:epidemiology