title: A molecular technique for the detection and differentiation of Demodex mites on cats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Demodex gatoi causes a pruritic dermatitis in cats. Diagnosis requires the demonstration of mites using superficial skin scrapings or faecal flotation, which can be insensitive.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The goal of this study was to develop a molecular method to diagnose D. gatoi infection in cats and distinguish these mites from Demodex cati.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-three shelter cats, 11 cats from a closed research colony and 12 privately owned cats were used.
  
  
  METHODS
  Demodex gatoi and D. cati were obtained from scrapings of cat skin. The 16S rRNA DNA was amplified by PCR, sequenced and compared with available Demodex sequences. Hair and skin samples were also collected for microscopic examination and DNA isolation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  DNA sequences were obtained from D. gatoi and D. cati. qPCR with D. gatoi specific primers and probe amplified DNA isolated from D. gatoi and not D. cati. Conversely, D. cati qPCR primers and probe amplified D. cati DNA and not D. gatoi. Five of the shelter cats were positive for D. gatoi. Two of these cats were pruritic, and the other three were in contact with these cats. Only one cat was positive for D. gatoi on skin scraping but was negative for D. gatoi or D. cati DNA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results from this study show D. gatoi and D. cati to be distinct species. A novel qPCR test for the identification and differentiation of D. gatoi and D. cati was developed. Once optimized, this test could provide a valuable technique for the diagnosis of D. gatoi infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996-4544, USA. lfrank@utk.edu
authors.forename: Linda A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Frank
authors.forename: Stephen A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Kania
authors.forename: Karianne
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Rupal
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Brahmbhatt
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000469:parasitology*; D002415:Cats; D004247:DNA / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008924:Mite Infestations / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D008925:Mites / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics; D010802:Phylogeny; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D004247:DNA