[Evaluation of an intracutaneous test using a Sarcoptes mite extract solution (Acari: Sarcoptidae) as a method for...

Sarcoptes infestation in dogs, caused by Sarcoptes canis, is a relatively common disease in small animal practice. The parasites may induce severe allergic skin reactions. By means of clinical symptoms a presumptive diagnosis should be made. For ensurement detection of mites in skin scrapings is necessary, but it is not easy to find the parasites. Serodiagnostic methods are helpful to confirm the diagnosis. They indicate specific antibody (circulating IgE) titer. Intracutaneous test by using allergen extracts as possible third way of diagnostic methods was tested comparatively with the existing causaldiagnostic procedures in 45 dogs with suspected scabies. Preconditions of own examinations was mite antigen preparation. A mite extract solution of Sarcoptes suis was prepared and 0.1 ml were applicated intracutaneously. In 14 dogs (31.11%) allergic skin changes (Immediate reaction type 1) became apparent. The results were opposed to both other detection methods--skin scraping (4 positive findings/8.89%) and serodiagnosis (13 positive findings/30.77%).