A case report of Sarcoptes scabiei in laboratory rabbits at the Institute for Medical Research (IMR)

Inirah Che Ishak^1*, Azlina Zulkapli¹, Siti Zubaidah Che Lem¹, Fairuz Amran², Mohammad Ridhuan Mohd Ali², Murnihayati Hassan², Natasya Amirah Tahir², Siti Fatimah Daud¹, Tuba Thabitah Abdullah Tahir³, Santhana Raj Louis⁴ and Nur Afrina Mohamad Hendri⁴

1. Laboratory Animal Resources Unit, Special Resource Centre, Institute for Medical Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Jalan Pahang, 50588 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

2. Bacteriology Unit, Infectious Disease Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Jalan Setia Murni U13/52, Seksyen U13 Setia Alam, 40170 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

3. Central Zone Veterinary Laboratory (Selangor), Department of Veterinary Services, Jalan Nilai-Banting, Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi, 43900 Sepang, Selangor, Malaysia

4. Electron Microscopy Unit, Special Resource Centre, Institute for Medical Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Jalan Setia Murni U13/52, Seksyen U13 Setia Alam, 40170 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

*Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CITATION: Che Ishak I, Zulkapli A, Che Lem SZ, Amran F, Mohd Ali MR, Hassan M, et al. A case report of Sarcoptes scabiei in laboratory rabbits at the Institute for Medical Research (IMR). International Medical Research Journal. 2024 Oct;10(1):1–6.  

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SUMMARY

In this case report, two New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits presented to the Laboratory Animal Resource Unit (LARU) at the Institute for Medical Research (IMR), Malaysia, with intense scratching, itching, and reduced appetite. They exhibited dry, crusty lesions on the ears, nose, and paws, with ear discharge forming thick black crusts. The diagnosis was confirmed through deep skin scrapings, revealing Sarcoptes scabiei mites under a microscope and electron microscopy. The rabbits were successfully treated with subcutaneous Ivermectin at 0.3 mg/kg every 14 days for three treatments, leading to complete recovery in seven weeks. Subsequent skin scrapings confirmed the absence of mites. Sarcoptes scabiei is a zoonotic mite that can infest humans through direct contact with infested animals, potentially affecting research outcomes. Comprehensive treatment and thorough environmental disinfection are essential to prevent disease spread. In this case, sarcoptic mange in the rabbits was successfully treated.

KEYWORDS: Sarcoptes scabiei, Sarcoptic mange, zoonotic disease, rabbit, ivermectin