Hypersensitivity to Culicoides midges causing seasonal dermatitis in sheep

James Patrick Crilly; Tim Nuttall; Jorge Del Pozo; Andy Hopker; Martin Tomlinson; Neil Sargison

doi:10.1016/j.vprsr.2016.06.001

Hypersensitivity to Culicoides midges causing seasonal dermatitis in sheep

Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports. 2016 Jun:3-4:53-56. doi: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2016.06.001. Epub 2016 Jun 8.

Authors

James Patrick Crilly¹, Tim Nuttall², Jorge Del Pozo³, Andy Hopker⁴, Martin Tomlinson⁴, Neil Sargison⁴

Affiliations

¹ Farm Animal Practice, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK. Electronic address: jp.crilly@hotmail.co.uk.
² Hospital for Small Animals, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK.
³ Easter Bush Pathology, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK.
⁴ Farm Animal Practice, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK.

PMID: 31014500
DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2016.06.001

Abstract

Culicoides midges are important as vectors of disease, as an irritant with severe effects on human outdoor activities in certain areas and as the cause of insect bite hypersensitivity in domestic animals (most notably horses). Here we report, for the first time, the confirmation of ovine hypersensitivity to Culicoides midges in Hebridean sheep suffering from seasonal allergic skin disease using intradermal allergen testing. The affected sheep formed 40% of the adults in the small flock, and this indication of a potentially high prevalence of a condition with welfare implications is of concern.

Keywords: Culicoides; Dermatitis; Hypersensitivity; Sheep.