Air Sac Mite Infestation (Cytodites nudus)
Endoparasitic respiratory mites, tracheal rales, necropsy identification, and acaricide therapy.
Scientific Overview
Air Sac Mites (Cytodites nudus) are microscopic endoparasitic mites that inhabit the respiratory tract, abdominal air sacs, and pneumatic bone cavities of chickens, turkeys, and wild birds, causing chronic respiratory distress and mortality.
1. Parasite Biology & Transmission
Cytodites nudus are small, white, oval mites measuring 0.5 to 0.6 mm. Transmission occurs directly through respiratory secretions, coughing droplets, beak-to-beak feeding, or drinking contaminated water sources.
2. Clinical Symptoms & Necropsy Findings
Infested birds display chronic wet coughing, tracheal rales, frequent neck stretching, loss of body condition, and pale combs. Upon opening abdominal air sacs, hundreds of tiny, yellow-white mobile dots (mites) are visible crawling on clear air sac membranes.
3. Diagnosis & Acaricide Treatment
Diagnosis is confirmed by tracheal swabs or direct visual inspection of air sac membranes during necropsy. Treatment involves veterinary administration of systemic acaricides such as Ivermectin or Moxidectin via water or spot-on application.
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Scientific Literature
- Kaufman, P.E., et al. (2019). Veterinary Entomology: Avian Parasites.
- Diseases of Poultry (14th ed.). Wiley-Blackwell.