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Infestation with Gamasid Mites

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Arthropods and Human Skin

Abstract

Attacks on man by members of the family Gamasidae (suborder Mesostigmata) have been recorded on a worldwide basis. They not only cause irritating skin eruptions but are also known or suspected vectors of several rickettsial and viral diseases (Table 17.1). Hirst (1922) enumerated five species which attacked humans. The nomenclature of this group in the literature is very confusing because of the necessity for periodic revision of Classification as new species and facts are discovered. Suffice it to note that the various species of the genus Ornithonyssus have previously been included as Leiognathus, Liponyssus or Bdellonyssus, whilst Liponyssoides sanguineus has been termed Dermanyssus or Allodermanyssus sanguineus (Ewing 1923; Oudemans 1937; Da Fonseca 1948).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Glasgow, UK

    John O’Donel Alexander MB, ChB, FRCP (Glasgow) (Emeritus Consultant Dermatologist, Glasgow Royal Infirmary and Lately Honorary Clinical Lecturer in Dermatology)

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  1. John O’Donel Alexander MB, ChB, FRCP (Glasgow)
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© 1984 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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O’Donel Alexander, J. (1984). Infestation with Gamasid Mites. In: Arthropods and Human Skin. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-1356-0_17

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-1356-0_17

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