BACKGROUND: Bartonella quintana is a body louse-borne bacterium causing bacteremia and infective endocarditis. We aimed to describe B. quintana detection among arthropods and their hosts.
METHODS: We searched databases in PubMed Central/MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science from January 1, 1915 (the year of B. quintana discovery) to January 1, 2024, to identify publications containing specific search terms relating to B. quintana detection among arthropods. Descriptive statistics and meta-analysis of pooled prevalence using random-effects models were performed for all arthropods and body and head lice.
RESULTS: Of 1265 records, 62 articles were included, describing 8839 body lice, 4962 head lice, and 1692 other arthropods, such as different species of fleas, bedbugs, mites, and ticks. Arthropods were collected from 37 countries, of which 28 had arthropods with B. quintana DNA. Among articles that reported B. quintana detection among individual arthropods, 1445 of 14,088 (0.1026, 95% CI [0.0976; 0.1077]) arthropods tested positive for B. quintana DNA, generating a random-effects model global prevalence of 0.0666 (95% CI [0.0426; 0.1026]). Fifty-six studies tested 8839 body lice, of which 1679 had B. quintana DNA (0.1899, 95% CI [0.1818; 0.1983]), generating a random-effects model pooled prevalence of 0.2312 (95% CI [0.1784; 0.2843]). Forty-two studies tested 4962 head lice, of which 390 head lice from 20 studies originating from 11 different countries had B. quintana DNA (0.0786, 95% CI [0.0713; 0.0864]). Eight studies detected B. quintana DNA exclusively on head lice. Five studies reported greater B. quintana detection on head lice than body lice; all originated from low-resource environments.
CONCLUSIONS: Bartonella quintana is a vector-borne bacterium with a global distribution, disproportionately affecting marginalized populations. Bartonella quintana DNA has been detected in many different arthropod species, though not all of these arthropods meet criteria to be considered vectors for B. quintana transmission. Body lice have long been known to transmit B. quintana. A limited number of studies suggest that head lice may also act as possible vectors for B. quintana in specific low-resource contexts.

The dentition of the chelal moveable digit in cohabiting astigmatids from UK beehives (i.e., Carpoglyphus lactis (Linnaeus), Glycyphagus domesticus (DeGeer), and Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank)) is characterised for the first time using quantitative tribological measures within a 2D mechanical model. The trophic function of astigmatid chelae are reviewed in terms of macroscopic tools used by humans including hooking devices, pliers, shears, rasps and saws. Comparisons to oribatid claws and isopod dactyli are made. The overall pattern of the moveable digit form of T. putrescentiae is not just a uniformly shrunken/swollen version between the other two taxa at either the macro- or micro-scale. Mastication surface macro-roughness values are in the range of international Roughness Grade Numbers N5-N6. The moveable digit of C. lactis has low rugosity values compared to the glycyphagid and acarid (which are topographically more similar and match that roughness typical of some coral reef surfaces). C. lactis has the most plesiomorphic moveable digit form. The mastication surface of all three species as a chewing tool is distinctly ornamented despite the moveable digit of C. lactis looking like a bar-like beam. The latter has more opportunities to be a multifunctional tool behaviourally than the other two species. Little evidence of any differences in the \'spikiness\' of any \'toothiness\' is found. Some differences with laboratory cultured specimens are found in C. lactis and possibly T. putrescentiae suggesting where selection on the digit may be able to occur. The chelal surface of T. putrescentiae has been deformed morphologically during evolution the most, that of C. lactis the least. Repeated localised surface differentiation is a feature of the moveable digit in G. domesticus compared to the likely more concerted changes over certain nearby locations in T. putrescentiae. An impactful chelal teeth design is present in G. domesticus but this is more equivocal in T. putrescentiae. Pockets within the mastication surface of the glycyphagid (and to some extent for the acarid) may produce foodstuff crunch forces of the scale of the chelal tips of oribatids. The moveable digit dentition of G. domesticus is adapted to shred foodstuff (like a ripsaw) more than that of the grazing/shearing dentition of T. putrescentiae. The collecting \'picker\' design of C. lactis posterior teeth matches the size of Bettsia alvei hyphae which attacks hive-stored pollen. Detritus accumulated in chelal digit gullets through a sawing action matches the smallest observed ingested material. The dentition of C. lactis should produce less friction when moving through food material than G. domesticus. C. lactis is the most hypocarnivorous and may \'skim\' through fluids when feeding. Astigmatid teeth do matter. The three commensal species can avoid direct competition. Future work is proposed in detail.

OBJECTIVE: Several treatments have been in use for Demodex blepharitis, before the discovery of lotilaner, like tea tree oil and antibiotics; however, they either have irritable effects or systemic adverse effects, respectively. Lotilaner, a novel ectoparasiticide, has been proposed as a treatment for patients grappling with Demodex blepharitis. This review aims to assess the safety and efficacy of lotilaner in the treatment of Demodex blepharitis.
METHODS: Systematic review and meta-analysis.
METHODS: An extensive search was conducted on PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Google Scholar to find relevant literature till July 31, 2023 following the PRISMA guidelines. A total of 143 articles were retrieved by database searching, out of which 6 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. Four randomized controlled trials were included in the meta-analysis of mite eradication incidence. The review is registered with PROSPERO: CRD42023459997.
RESULTS: Lotilaner is effective in eradicating Demodex mites in individuals suffering from Demodex blepharitis according to RR for the intervention versus the control group of 3.55 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.87-4.40, P < .00001, I2 = 0%). The meta-analysis of clinically meaningful collarette score revealed the summary RR for the intervention versus the control group was 3.15 (95% CI: 2.56-3.89, P < 0.00001, I2 = 27%). In conclusion, the results of the included studies were comparable and consistent.
CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicated that lotilaner is an effective, well-tolerated, and promising drug in treating patients with Demodex blepharitis. Lotilaner administration and cost-effectiveness should now be contemplated for the study population as these constituents have a vital impact on its treatment success.

Brazil is among the largest apple producers in the world (Malus domestica Bork, Rosaceae), with production concentrated mainly in the southern of the country. Panonychus ulmi (Koch) (Tetranychidae) have economic importance in apple and, recently, Aculus schlechtendali (Nalepa) (Eriophyidae), was reported in Brazil. This review aims to delineate the distribution of the acarofauna associated to apple, with emphasis on the main groups of economic importance and their potential natural enemies and highlight the problems related to phytophagous species and management possibilities. Searches were carried out in databases, and the principal keywords were Aculus schlechtendali, Malus domestica and Panonychus ulmi. After the exclusion criteria resulted 166 publications. The social and economic importance of the apple has been increasing on the world, however, due to environmental imbalance, phytophagous mites are increasing their populations and acquiring resistance against acaricides. Panonychus ulmi has been reported in America for decades, being of economic importance for Brazil and the record of A. schlechtendali alerts to the possibility of damage in orchards in the country. Therefore, it is important that the literature be evaluated, that the mite species are identified and that forms of conscious management are developed. Prioritizing the human and animal health and environmental balance.

BACKGROUND: Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory dermatological condition in humans, and its pathogenesis remains unclear. However, the development of rosacea is suspected to be related to Demodex, a microscopic commensal organism that resides in or near hair follicles and sebaceous glands. Although Demodex is known to be a host-specific, obligate commensal organism, it is currently difficult to be cultured in vitro to parasitize and infect other animal hosts. Therefore, direct evidence for a pathogenic role of Demodex in rosacea is currently lacking.
CONCLUSIONS: As circumstantial evidence, non-invasive skin-detecting techniques have shown abnormally elevated numbers of Demodex in rosacea patients. Increased cytokine levels such as IL-10, IL-8, and IL-12p70 have been observed in human sebocytes following the Demodex challenge, and acaricides have been found to be effective in rosacea therapy, all point to a close relationship between Demodex and rosacea. Based on these findings, we conducted a comprehensive literature review to summarize the current state of knowledge, research insights, and clinical treatment recommendations for Demodex-associated rosacea, with the ultimate goal of improving patient outcomes.

Mites have been a persistent infectious disease affecting both humans and animals since ancient times. In veterinary clinics, the primary approach for treating and managing mite infestations has long been the use of chemical acaricides. However, the widespread use of these chemicals has resulted in significant problems, including drug resistance, drug residues, and environmental pollution, limiting their effectiveness. To address these challenges, researchers have shifted their focus towards natural products that have shown promise both in the laboratory and real-world settings against mite infestations. Natural products have a wide variety of chemical structures and biological activities, including acaricidal properties. This article offers a comprehensive review of the acaricidal capabilities and mechanisms of action of natural products like plant extracts, natural compounds, algae, and microbial metabolites against common animal mites.

UNASSIGNED: Demodex blepharitis is a common disease of the eyelid, affecting approximately 25 million Americans. This article reviews what is known about the mechanisms and impact of Demodex blepharitis, risk factors, signs and symptoms, diagnostic techniques, current management options, and emerging treatments. Demodex mites contribute to blepharitis in several ways: direct mechanical damage, as a vector for bacteria, and by inducing hypersensitivity and inflammation. Risk factors for Demodex blepharitis include increasing age, rosacea, and diabetes. The costs, symptom burden, and psychosocial effects of Demodex blepharitis are considerable. The presence of collarettes is pathognomonic for Demodex blepharitis. Redness, dryness, discomfort, foreign body sensation, lash anomalies, and itching are also hallmarks of the disease. Although a number of oral, topical, eyelid hygiene and device-based options have been used clinically and evaluated in studies for the management of Demodex blepharitis, none have been FDA approved to treat the disease. Recent randomized controlled clinical trials suggest that lotilaner ophthalmic solution, 0.25%, is a topical treatment with the potential to eradicate Demodex mites and eliminate collarettes and eyelid redness for an extended period.

BACKGROUND: Demodex mites are related to some inflammatory diseases such as rosacea and blepharitis and could be harmful in patients with immunodeficiency or immunosuppression, especially notable in patients using biologic like dupilumab. In order to have an objective observation of different anti-Demodex strategies, we conducted this study, based on interventional clinical evidence with quantified Demodex mite data.
METHODS: We used the PubMed, Embase, ClinicalTrials.gov, Medline, and International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) as databases. To assess the risk of bias, the RoB2 and ROBINS-I tools were used. The certainty of evidence was assessed following the GRADE guideline. Furthermore, the effect sizes (ESs) of different strategies were compared in different time periods (0-1, 1-2, 2-3, >3 months), as well as Demodex decrease rates.
RESULTS: 1,618 studies were identified in the databases, with 21 of which included in the final quantitative synthesis. Interventions in these studies included ivermectin, tea tree oil (TTO), permethrin, crotamiton, metronidazole, light therapies, combined therapies, and other therapies. During 0-1 month, the ES varied from 0.07 (cleanser) to 1.95 (systemic ivermectin-metronidazole). During 1-2 months, the ES varied from 0.88 (topical permethrin) to 4.40 (topical ivermectin). During 2-3 months, the ES varied from 0.79 (topical permethrin) to 8.37 (topical ivermectin). During the time of 3 months, the ES varied from 0.59 (topical permethrin) to 2.25 (intense pulsed light [IPL]). In terms of Demodex decrease rates, topical ivermectin, TTO, permethrin, IPL, and baby shampoo had achieved a nearly 100% decrease. The reported adverse events were mostly mild, without severe adverse events reported in any of the studies.
CONCLUSIONS: We found ivermectin (topical and systemic), ivermectin-metronidazole (topical), and TTO (topical) are promising anti-Demodex interventions. In addition to traditional pharmacotherapy, light therapies, especially IPL and skin cleansing, could also be considered as effective methods to control Demodex mite infestation.

This paper reports on six species of the genus Cosmolaelaps (Laelapidae) in Russia: Cosmolaelaps lutegiensis (Shcherbak) collected from soil-litter, C. chianensis (Gu) and C. rectangularis Sheals, 1962 from Myrmica sp. (Formicidae), and Cosmolaelaps lasiophilus Joharchi sp. nov., Cosmolaelaps latisetis Joharchi sp. nov., and Cosmolaelaps sejongi Keum et al. from Lasius spp. (Formicidae). Two new species are described and illustrated from adult females and supplementary descriptions of three other species are presented to facilitate species delimitation. In addition, an identification key to all known Russian species of the genus is presented.

This study provides additional morphological information and new illustrations for three species of Ololaelaps Berlese described by Bregetova Koroleva (1964) from RussiaO. caucasicus, O. sellnicki and O. ussuriensisto supplement the original descriptions. Since holotypes for these three species were not designated, a lectotype is chosen from among the syntypes of each examined species. We describe the adult male and female of Ololaelaps altaiensis Joharchi sp. nov., from specimens collected from moss on the shore of the Teletskoye Lake, in Altai Mountains, Russia. The new species is distinguished from other Ololaelaps species by its short peritremes, ending near the middle of coxae II. The new species also has elongate paradactyli, extending well beyond the pretarsal claws; this feature appears to be correlated with the species semiaquatic habitat, and such correlation between tarsal morphology and ecology occurs in other species of Ololaelaps and of Gaeolaelaps with similar habitats.