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.