Superglue slide impression (SSI) method: a novel diagnostic application for canine demodicosis

• Published in: Experimental & applied acarology Vol. 79; no. 3-4; pp. 387 - 393
• Main Author: Singh, Shanker K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01-12-2019; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adhesives; Animal Ecology; Animal Genetics and Genomics; Animal Systematics/Taxonomy/Biogeography; Animals; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Diagnostic software; Diagnostic systems; Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures - veterinary; Dog Diseases - diagnosis; Dog Diseases - parasitology; Dogs; Dogs - parasitology; Entomology; Harvesting; Lesions; Life Sciences; Microscopy; Mite Infestations - diagnosis; Mite Infestations - veterinary; Mites; Skin; Skin diseases; Skin Diseases - parasitology; Skin Diseases - veterinary; Skin lesions; Submerging; Cyanoacrylate; Mites; Deep skin scraping; Less invasive technique; Demodex
• ISSN: 0168-8162; 1572-9702
• DOI: 10.1007/s10493-019-00444-7

The conventional gold standard diagnostic method for canine demodicosis, the deep skin scrapings (DSS), is traumatic to the animal and appears aggressive in the eyes of the owner. A less invasive, sensitive, easy-to-perform and field-oriented diagnostic method for the rapid diagnosis of canine demodicosis is warranted. The present study aimed to develop a rapid less invasive diagnostic method using superglue (cyanoacrylate adhesive) slide impression (SSI). Ninety-seven client-owned dogs presented with clinical symptoms and signs suggestive of demodicosis were examined using SSI for detection of
Demodex
mites. A clean microscope slide was taken and a drop of superglue was placed on the slide. Immediately, the superglue-bearing slide surface was applied to the previously squeezed selected skin lesion with gentle pressure for 30 s. The slide was removed from the skin lesion and a drop of immersion oil was placed over the SSI. Another clean cover slide was applied and examined under the microscope at low-power magnification (× 10 lens). Of the 97 dogs, 90 dogs (92.8%) were detected positive for demodectic mites using the SSI method, whereas 86 (88.7%) dogs were found positive using the DSS technique. The SSI method was found to be equally sensitive to the DSS method. In summary, the SSI method is a new quick, sensitive, easy-to-perform, owner- and animal-friendly, less traumatic and field-oriented diagnostic application for demodicosis in dogs. It can be used for harvesting the live demodectic mites and monitoring miticidal therapies.