Experimental infection of the one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius) with Sarcoptes scabiei var. cameli and S. scabiei var. ovis.

Camels were experimentally infected with Sarcoptes scabiei var. cameli and S. scabiei var. ovis. The lesions produced by both mites were progressive and similar in extent and severity. The lesions produced by the mites spread mechanically through gnawing and scratching, and eventually covered most of the body of the host. Skin scrapings from the experimental lesions contained many mites of all stages, proving that S. scabiei var. cameli and S. scabiei var. ovis became equally well established, reproducing actively in the experimental lesions in their 'natural' and 'wrong' host respectively. The histopathological changes produced by S. scabiei var. cameli and S. scabiei var. ovis were similar. The lesions comprised thick scab and keratin formation, with mites beneath the scab and keratin, marked haemorrhages and severe degenerative and necrotic changes. Excellent clinical recovery occurred following the application of HCH (BHC) after removal of crusts and detritus with salicylic acid. The incomplete host specificity of Sarcoptes necessitates the complete isolation of healthy from infected animals regardless of the host species.