Research Note
Rev. Bras. Parasitol. Vet., Jaboticabal, v. 22, n. 1, p. 155-158, jan.-mar. 2013 
ISSN 0103-846X (impresso) / ISSN 1984-2961 (eletrônico)
First report of acariasis by Caparinia tripilis in African 
hedgehogs, (Atelerix albiventris), in Costa Rica
Primeiro relato de acariasis por Caparinia tripilis em ouriços Africanos, (Atelerix albiventris), na Costa Rica
Andrés Moreira1*; Adriana Troyo1; Olger Calderón-Arguedas1
1Departamento de Parasitología, Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales, Facultad de Microbiología,  
Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
Received February 14, 2012 
Accepted April 10, 2012
Abstract
The African hedgehog is one of the newly imported exotic pets which have been observed with increasing regularity 
in veterinary clinics in Costa Rica. Despite their popularity, information about their diseases is scarce. Within skin 
diseases of hedgehogs, mange caused by Caparinia spp. is a common diagnosis in other countries. Two adult African 
hedgehogs, one male and one female, were brought to a private clinic in Heredia, Costa Rica, with chronic pruritic 
dermatitis, scabs, nearly complete loss of spines, lethargy, dehydration, and weight loss. During physical exam, deposits 
of dry seborrhea were taken and processed for diagnosis. Microscopic examination revealed psoroptid mites identified 
as Caparinia tripilis. This is the first report of the presence of Caparinia tripilis in Costa Rica and, to the authors’ 
knowledge, the rest of Central America.
Keywords: Erinaceidae, ectoparasites, mange, Psoroptidae, Central America, African hedgehog.
Resumo
O ouriço africano é um dos animais de estimação exótico, recém-importado que tem sido observado com maior 
regularidade nas clínicas veterinárias da Costa Rica. Apesar da sua popularidade, informações sobre suas doenças são 
escassas. Dentre as doenças de pele de ouriços, a sarna causada por Caparinia spp. é um diagnóstico comum nos outros 
países. Dois adultos ouriços africanos, um macho e uma fêmea, foram levados para uma clínica particular, em Heredia, 
Costa Rica, com a dermatite pruriginosa crônica, crostas, perda quase completa de espinhos, letargia, desidratação e 
perda de peso. Ao exame físico, os depósitos de seborreia seca foram retirados e processados para o diagnóstico. O exame 
microscópico revelou ácaros (psoroptidae) identificados como Caparinia tripilis. Esse é o primeiro relato da presença de 
Caparinia tripilis na Costa Rica e, para conhecimento dos autores, o resto da América Central.
Palavras-chave: Erinaceidae, ectoparasitos, sarna, Psoroptidae, América Central, Ouriço africano.
Introduction
The African hedgehog or white-bellied hedgehog reported are mites that belong to the genera Sarcoptes, Notoedres, 
(Atelerix albiventris Wagner, 1841) is one of the exotic species Otodectes, Chorioptes and Caparinia (FREDES; ROMAN, 2004). 
newly imported into Costa Rica as pets, and consult for these Within the genus Caparinia Canestrini, 1894, the most prevalent 
animals has been increasing in veterinary clinics around the country. species are C. tripilis Michael, 1889, and C. erinacei Fain, 1962, 
The introduction of exotic species as pets has forced veterinarians but other species like C. setifera Megnin 1880, C. algirus Fain, 
to acquire knowledge about these new species, which makes the 1979 and C. lophiomys Fain, 1975 have also been described (FAIN, 
study of their diseases of utmost importance. 1962, 1975; SWEATMAN, 1962; FAIN; PÓRTUS, 1979).
Hedgehogs harbor a large number of ectoparasites, being Due to the relatively recent entry of this exotic species in 
the most common ticks, fleas, as well as mites. Also their lack of the region of Central America, it is essential to report and study their parasitic species, in order to evaluate if any of these exotic 
effective grooming makes this species an ideal host for ectoparasites parasites poses a risk for human health or infecting local fauna 
(FÖLDVÁRI et al., 2011). Concerning skin diseases of hedgehogs, (FURLEY et al., 1999; PRAZERES et al., 2011).
acariasis is relatively common, although less prevalent than other 
ectoparasites (GERSON; BOEVER, 1983). Generally the species Case Description
*Corresponding author: Andres Moreira Soto One male and one female African hedgehogs, Atelerix albiventris, 
Departamento de Parasitología, Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades 
Tropicales, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, where referred to a private clinic in the city of Heredia, Costa 
Ciudad Universitaria Rodrigo Facio, CEP 11501, San José, Costa Rica Rica, with a history of loss of spines, itching, lethargy and 
e-mail: anders2323@gmail.com weight loss. The animals had lived together for their whole lives 
www.cbpv.com.br/rbpv
156 Moreira, A.; Troyo, A.; Calderón-Arguedas, O. Rev. Bras. Parasitol. Vet.
a
b c
Figure 1. a) Adult Male of Caparinia tripilis (Scale bar: 100 µm). Diagnostic structures used for identification: bristles L4, L5, in b) male 
and bristles L5, ai in c) Female.
v. 22, n. 1, jan.-mar. 2013 Acariasis in African hedgehogs, Costa Rica 157
(2 years approximately), and within the same enclosure. They even pyoderma, complicating clinical symptoms and treatment 
ate commercial cat food ad libitum and yellow mealworms. The (SWEATMAN, 1962; BROCKIE, 1974; PATERSON, 2006). 
owners had observed loss of spines and scratching for several However, other pathogens were not evidenced in the cases presented, 
months, but had not sought treatment previously. Observations neither in the physical examination nor on the skin scrapings, so 
during the physical exam included extensive bilateral alopecia co-infection was discarded.
of the periorbital region, lateral surfaces of the head, the flanks, Infestation with Caparinia spp. may or may not be accompanied 
hind and fore limbs, abdominal area, and rump. The skin was by clinical signs. Some normal symptoms include scratching or 
dark grey, dry, and extremely lichenified, there were also flaky rubbing against objects, but many individuals do not demonstrate 
white scales in the entire dorsal surface. Sparse spines remained obvious signs of pruritus, such as the cases presented (GERSON; 
on the flanks. The hedgehogs were in poor nutritional condition, BOEVER, 1983). Several factors including stress, lack of hygiene 
weighing approximately 250 g. and immune dysfunction may contribute to the onset of the 
Upon examination with a magnifier, moving ectoparasites were disease (PRAZERES et al., 2011). In the cases described, the 
observed on most of the animals’ body, with copious amounts pathology was severe and may have been exacerbated by any of 
below the crust. A skin scraping of each individual was taken these factors, and could have contributed to weight loss of the 
for microscopic examination. The samples where obtained from hedgehogs. Acariasis also causes nonspecific signs such as lethargy 
several body parts: the dorsum, behind the ear, near scapular region and decreased appetite (PRAZERES et al., 2011).
and head. Collected material was observed first in KOH 10%, to A study performed by Fredes and Roman (2004) reported 
assess the presence of other pathogenic agents. 87% positivity for mites in skin scrapings of hedgehogs; of which, 
Numerous ectoparasites were observed, collected, and preserved 100% were C. tripilis. This finding suggests that C. tripilis may be 
in 70% ethanol. Some specimens were mounted in Hoyer’s medium, considered a normal skin inhabitant of hedgehogs without causing 
with subsequent evaluation in light microscopy (KRANTZ; any clinical signs. However, Brockie (1974) and Fain (1975), 
KRANTZ, 2009). have considered this mite a low pathogenic parasite instead of a 
Species identification was performed with the aid of taxonomic commensal. Considering the amount of C. tripilis mites observed 
keys and descriptions that include psoroptid genera, and species in addition to the severity of clinical signs, psoroptic mange was 
of Caparinia (FAIN, 1962; 1975; FAIN; PÓRTUS, 1979: diagnosed in the cases presented.
OCONNOR, 2009).
Scrapings from both hedgehogs contained eggs, immature Ivermectin is often used as treatment for psoroptic mange, 
stages, and adults, of a psoroptid mite identified as Caparinia administered both topically and or subcutaneously once per week 
tripilis (Figure 1a). Identification was based on diagnostic characters (MEREDITH; REDROBE, 2002). In this case, treatment was 
such as body length, hairs (l4 and l5 in males, and ai and l5 in initiated with the recommended dose, but continuation of the 
females), and appearance of adanal suckers and posterior lobes treatment and further assessment was not possible. Although 
of males (Figure 1b, c). repeated administrations are usually needed to eliminate C. tripilis 
Hedgehogs were treated with ivermectin at 200-500 µg/kg effectively (MEREDITH; REDROBE, 2002), it is possible 
topically. Although repeated administrations were advised and are that owners did not return due to improvement of the animals’ 
usually required (MEREDITH; REDROBE, 2002), owners did condition, or they may have sought treatment elsewhere. It is 
not return for further treatment. Therefore, complete resolution important to note that ear canals should always be checked as 
of the mange could not be confirmed. they may be totally impacted with mites and debris, which must 
be mechanically removed.
Mites are common in pet hedgehogs in the United States, 
Discussion Europe and New Zealand (MEREDITH; REDROBE, 2002). 
In contrast, information for Costa Rica and the rest of Central 
In the case presented, the mite was identified as C. tripilis, which America is scarce. The reason for introduction of this exotic species 
is usually the most prevalent species and regularly observed in pet in these countries is to keep them as domestic pets, and currently 
hedgehogs (IVEY; CARPENTER, 2003; PATERSON, 2006). there is no information regarding their population, prevalence of 
Up to 40% of hedgehogs held in captivity can be infested with this particular ectoparasite, or any other factor that may contribute 
C. tripilis (BEXTON; ROBINSON, 2003). Caparinia erinacei to the persistence of exotic mites in tropical environments of 
may also be frequent, although it is generally seen in wildlife the region. Since C. tripilis is considered an exotic mite that 
populations (IVEY; CARPENTER, 2003). has been introduced along with its host (SWEATMAN, 1962), 
Owners usually report C. tripilis mites as deposits of a white further studies are necessary to asses how these and other exotic 
powdery material around the eyes, ears, and cheeks, associated ectoparasites may affect local fauna.
with pruritus (PATERSON, 2006). Due to lack of knowledge, 
owners in this case believed that the animals had a zoonotic 
and non treatable disease. Moreover, they had trouble finding Aknowledgements
a veterinary clinic with exotic practice, so disease progressed for 
several months, ergo its severity. Authors thank Sergio Bermudez (Instituto Conmemorativo 
Acariasis is often found with co-infection by dermatophytes Gorgas de Estudios en Salud) for sharing his opinions and references, 
(Trichophyton erinacei, Microsporum canis, and M. gypseum) or Geovanny Mora for processing mite samples, and Laura Bonilla 
158 Moreira, A.; Troyo, A.; Calderón-Arguedas, O. Rev. Bras. Parasitol. Vet.
Villanueva for Portuguese translation. This work was supported Furley JA, Suchniak J,  Paller AS. Hedgehog Hives.  Arch 
in part by University of Costa Rica project ED-548. Dermatol  1999;  135(5):  561-563. http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/
archderm.135.5.561
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