Development and transmission of psoroptic mange of cattle in feed lots in endemic and non-endemic regions.

A test was begun in November 1982 to evaluate the development of Psoroptes ovis, the severity of psoroptic mange of cattle, and the incidence of transfer of P. ovis from artificially infested cattle to non-infested cattle held in feed lots in either an endemic (Bushland, TX) or non-endemic region (Kerrville, TX). The 2 herds each consisted of 24 Hereford steers. The 24 steers were randomly assigned to 3 pens of 8 steers per pen. Two steers from each pen that were randomly selected were artificially exposed to ca. 1000 P. ovis (AINF). The development of mange on these 6 AINF steers and the incidence of transfer to the other steers (INF) were monitored approximately every 3 weeks for 17 weeks. The 6 AINF steers at Bushland (endemic region) developed significantly more lesions than the 6 AINF steers at Kerrville. Three AINF steers in Bushland died from hypothermia and mange while no deaths were recorded at Kerrville. The numbers of mites sampled from affected skin areas of AINF steers from both regions were not significantly different. All 18 of the naturally exposed steers (INF) in Bushland contracted mange; whereas, only 9 INF steers in Kerrville did. The severity (% lesions) and number of mites per sample from affected skin were significantly greater on the INF steers in Bushland. These differences among INF steers in Bushland and Kerrville may be attributed to the higher level of parasitism attained in Bushland on the AINF steers. We propose that the extremely cold weather in Bushland contributed to the greater level of parasitism attained on AINF steers in Bushland by stressing the host steers.