Korean J Parasitol.  2017 Oct;55(5):555-559. 10.3347/kjp.2017.55.5.555.

Chigger Mite (Acari: Trombiculidae) Survey of Rodents in Shandong Province, Northern China

• Huang XD
• Cheng P
• Zhao YQ
• Li WJ
• Zhao JX
• Liu HM
• Kou JX
• Gong MQ

• KMID: 2395760
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3347/kjp.2017.55.5.555

Abstract

Chigger mites are parasites of rodents and other vertebrates, invertebrates, and other arthropods, and are the only vectors of scrub typhus, in addition to other zoonoses. Therefore, investigating their distribution, diversity, and seasonal abundance is important for public health. Rodent surveillance was conducted at 6 districts in Shandong Province, northern China (114-112°E, 34-38°N), from January to December 2011. Overall, 225/286 (78.7%) rodents captured were infested with chigger mites. A total of 451 chigger mites were identified as belonging to 5 most commonly collected species and 3 genera in 1 family. Leptotrombidium scutellare and Leptotrombidium intermedia were the most commonly collected chigger mites. L. scutellare (66.2%, 36.7%, and 49.0%) was the most frequently collected chigger mite from Apodemus agrarius, Rattus norvegicus, and Microtus fortis, respectively, whereas L. intermedia (61.5% and 63.2%) was the most frequently collected chigger mite from Cricetulus triton and Mus musculus, respectively. This study demonstrated a relatively high prevalence of chigger mites that varied seasonally in Shandong Province, China.

Keyword

Leptotrombidium scutellare; Leptotrombidium intermedia; chigger mite; species; rodent; Shandong Province; China

MeSH Terms

Animals
Arthropods
Arvicolinae
China*
Cricetinae
Cricetulus
Humans
Invertebrates
Mice
Mites*
Murinae
Neptune
Parasites
Prevalence
Public Health
Rats
Rodentia*
Scrub Typhus
Seasons
Trombiculidae*
Vertebrates
Zoonoses