The Problem:
Demodex gatoi mites infect cats and possibly other animals and cause an extremely itchy (pruritic) skin disease. Infections are difficult to diagnose because the mites are hard to find and they must be distinguished morphologically from other mite species. Detection is currently performed using a skin scraping technique which is insensitive because the mite is very difficult to find. The only treatment that is effective for this mite is weekly dips in lime sulfur. All cats in a household need to be treated when D. gatoi is suspected, therefore an accurate test is highly desirable.
The Solution:
University of Tennessee researchers have amplified and sequenced rRNA genes from the species of mites known to infect cats. This information was used to develop a probe based real-time PCR assay that specifically amplifies D. gatoi DNA to test all pruritic cats to determine the origin of their symptoms. It should also be used to screen all newly acquired cats to prevent the introduction of this contagious mite to uninfected cats.
The Applications:
• Pet and animal testing
The Benefits :
• Accurate detection of D. gatoi mites infestation
• Testing is easy to perform and interpret
• Eliminates need for unnecessary treatment
Published Patents:
• US Issued Patent: US9267178
The Inventors:
Dr. Stephen Kania is a Professor in the Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences and Director of the Immunology Service Laboratory at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. The emphasis of his research is the characterization of methicillin resistant staphylococci. He earned his a master’s degree in Veterinary Microbiology from Washing State University and a PhD in molecular microbiology from the University of Florida.
Dr. Linda Frank is a Professor in the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. Ms. Frank’s primary research interests include endocrine and other non-inflammatory alopecic disorders of dogs and epidemiology and treatment of methicillin resistant staphylococcal infections. She earned her master’s degree from the University of Connecticut and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Tufts University.