Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 19, 2026

A Model for Experimental Exposure of Humans to Larval Ixodes scapularis Ticks
04:47

A Model for Experimental Exposure of Humans to Larval Ixodes scapularis Ticks

Published on: December 1, 2023

[The tropical rat mite Ornithonyssus bacoti attacks humans in Iceland.]

K Skírnisson1

  • 1Laboratory of Pathology, University of Iceland, Keldum, 112 Reykjavík, Iceland. karlsk@hi.is.

Laeknabladid
|October 5, 2006
PubMed

Insights

The tropical rat mite Ornithonyssus bacoti can infest homes, as seen in Iceland when infected gerbils led to a human dermatitis outbreak. Immediate pest control is crucial if Ornithonyssus bacoti is detected indoors.

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Entomology
  • Medical Entomology
  • Parasitology

Context:

  • An Icelandic household experienced an infestation of the tropical rat mite Ornithonyssus bacoti.
  • The mites originated from infected Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) kept as pets.

Purpose:

  • To document a case of Ornithonyssus bacoti infestation affecting humans in Iceland.
  • To highlight the potential health risks and environmental conditions favoring mite proliferation.

Summary:

  • The tropical rat mite Ornithonyssus bacoti, an obligate parasite, proliferated rapidly after introduction via infected gerbils.
  • A human dermatitis case was reported in a child sharing living quarters with the infested pets.
  • Optimal conditions for mite survival (24-26°C, 47% RH) are common in Icelandic indoor environments.

Impact:

  • This case underscores the importance of monitoring pets for ectoparasites to prevent zoonotic transmission.
  • It emphasizes the need for prompt eradication measures upon detection of Ornithonyssus bacoti in residential settings.
  • The findings suggest a potential risk for similar infestations in regions with comparable indoor climates.

More Related Videos

Rearing Ixodes scapularis, the Black-legged Tick: Feeding Immature Stages on Mice06:00

Rearing Ixodes scapularis, the Black-legged Tick: Feeding Immature Stages on Mice

Published on: May 8, 2017

Related Concept Videos

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever01:26

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is a severe tick-borne illness caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, a Gram-negative, coccobacillary bacterium. This pathogen is an obligate intracellular parasite, requiring a host cell for replication. Transmission occurs through the bite of an infected tick. In the United States, the most important vectors are Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick) and Dermacentor andersoni (Rocky Mountain wood tick), though other tick species may also serve as vectors.
American Trypanosomiasis01:22

American Trypanosomiasis

Chagas disease, or American trypanosomiasis, is a vector-borne parasitic infection caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, a flagellated protozoan (kinetoplastid) of the family Trypanosomatidae. The disease is endemic in Latin America, although cases are increasingly reported worldwide due to human migration. Transmission most commonly occurs when feces of infected triatomine bugs contaminate bite wounds or mucosal surfaces; additional routes include congenital, transfusional, transplant-related, and oral...
Toxoplasmosis01:28

Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis, a zoonotic disease caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, poses significant public health challenges globally due to its high seroprevalence and varied clinical manifestations. As an obligate intracellular parasite, T. gondii can infect all warm-blooded vertebrates, but felids are its only definitive hosts, shedding unsporulated oocysts into the environment. Humans typically acquire the infection through ingestion of tissue cysts in undercooked meat or oocysts from...
Rabies01:28

Rabies

Rabies is a lethal zoonotic disease caused by a single-stranded, negative-sense RNA virus of the Lyssavirus genus, within the family Rhabdoviridae. Its primary mode of transmission to humans is through bites or saliva-contaminated scratches from infected mammals such as dogs, bats, raccoons, or foxes. Transmission can also occur if infectious saliva contacts abraded skin or intact mucous membranes, including the conjunctiva.Viral Entry and Early ReplicationOnce introduced at the bite or scratch...