Ornithonyssus sylviarum (Acari: Macronyssidae) parasitism among poultry farm workers in Minas Gerais state, Brazil

ABSTRACT: Ornithonyssus sylviarum is a hematophagous mite present in wild, domestic, and synanthropic birds. However, this mite can affect several vertebrate hosts, including humans, leading to dermatitis, pruritus, allergic reactions, and papular skin lesions. This study evaluated the epidemiological characteristics of O. sylviarum attacks on poultry workers, including data on laying hens, infrastructure and management of hen houses, and reports of attacks by hematophagous mites. In addition, a case of mite attack on a farm worker on a laying farm in the Midwest region in Minas Gerais is presented. It was found that 60.7% farm workers reported attacks by hematophagous mites. Correspondence analysis showed an association between reports of mite attacks in humans with (1) presence of O. sylviarum in the hen house, (2) manual removal of manure by employees, and (3) history of acaricide use. The specimens collected from the location were confirmatively identified as O. sylviarum. O. sylviarum attacks ave not been reported when manure was removed in a shorter time interval and did not use acaricide in the sheds when the removal was done by manure conveyor belt. Parasitism by O. sylviarum should be considered a relevant occupational hazard affecting employees working in direct contact with commercial egg-laying hens in Minas Gerais. We emphasized the need to monitor hen infestations by this mite to improve the development of mite control strategies.

摘要：禽刺螨（Ornithonyssus sylviarum）是一种寄生于野生、家养及与人共栖鸟类的吸血螨类。该螨可侵袭包括人类在内的多种脊椎动物宿主，引发皮炎、瘙痒、过敏反应及丘疹性皮肤损害。本研究评估了禽刺螨对家禽从业者的侵袭流行病学特征，涵盖产蛋鸡相关数据、鸡舍基础设施与管理情况，以及吸血螨侵袭的相关报告。此外，本文还报告了一例发生于巴西米纳斯吉拉斯州中西部地区蛋鸡养殖场的农场工人受螨侵袭病例。研究结果显示，60.7%的农场工人曾报告过吸血螨侵袭事件。对应分析表明，人类被螨侵袭的报告与以下因素存在关联：（1）鸡舍内检出禽刺螨；（2）员工手动清理鸡粪；（3）曾使用杀螨剂。从该采样地点收集的标本经鉴定确认为禽刺螨。当鸡粪清理间隔较短，且采用清粪带进行鸡粪清理而非使用杀螨剂时，未出现禽刺螨侵袭的相关报告。禽刺螨寄生应被视为米纳斯吉拉斯州直接接触商品蛋鸡的从业者所面临的一项重要职业危害。本研究强调，需对该螨引发的蛋鸡感染情况开展监测，以优化禽螨防控策略的制定。