Despite the significant health risks associated with Dermanyssus gallinae infestations in humans, they are often overlooked. This study investigated a household case of D. gallinae infestation and explored the resulting clinical manifestations and risk of infection in family members. Microfluidic PCR was employed for high-throughput screening of pathogens in collected mites and blood samples from both chickens and family members. Morphological and molecular examinations confirmed the identity of the mites as D. gallinae sensu stricto (s.s.), with evidence indicating recent blood feeding. Results indicated that the mites exclusively harbored various pathogens, including Bartonella spp., Ehrlichia spp., Apicomplexa, and Theileria spp. Blood samples from family members and poultry tested negative for these pathogens, suggesting a potential reservoir role for D. gallinae. The study further identified haplotypes of D. gallinae, classifying them into D. gallinae s.s., cosmopolitan haplogroup A. Serological analysis revealed elevated IgE seroreactivity against mite proteins in the family member with bite lesions. Antibodies against Bartonella spp. were detected in this individual, indicating exposure to the pathogen. In summary, this study sheds light on the clinical manifestations, pathogen detection, and genetic characterization of D. gallinae infestations, underscoring the necessity of adopting comprehensive approaches to manage such infestations effectively.

ANSES INRAE Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort UMR BIPAR Laboratoire de Santé Animale Maisons Alfort France

Clinic for Lyme Borreliosis and Other Tick Borne Diseases Department of Prevention of Rabies and Other Infectious Diseases Pasteur Institute Novi Sad Novi Sad 21000 Serbia

Department for Environmental and Plant Protection Faculty of Agriculture University of Novi Sad Novi Sad Serbia

Department for Research and Monitoring of Rabies and Other Zoonoses Pasteur Institute Novi Sad 21000 Novi Sad Serbia

Department of Biology and Ecology Faculty of Sciences University of Novi Sad Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3 21000 Novi Sad Serbia

Department of Biology and Parasitology Medical University of Lublin Radziwiłłowska 11 20 080 Lublin Poland

Department of Microbiology Pasteur Institute Novi Sad 21000 Novi Sad Serbia

Department of Microbiology with Parasitology and Immunology Faculty of Medicine University of Novi Sad Novi Sad 21000 Serbia

Department of Veterinary Medicine Faculty of Agriculture University of Novi Sad 21000 Novi Sad Serbia

Diagnostics and Laboratory Research Task Force Balkan Association for Vector Borne Diseases 21000 Novi Sad Serbia

Institute of Parasitology Biology Centre Czech Academy of Sciences 37005 Ceske Budejovice Czech Republic

Scientific Veterinary Institute Novi Sad 21000 Novi Sad Serbia

Veterinary clinic Darvin Bate Brkića 32 Novi Sad 21000 Serbia

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