11/9/21, 6:34 PM Air sac mites in Chickens

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Air Sac Mites

Other Names: Respiratory Acariasis, Tracheal Mites
There are several species of air sac mites which can infrequently invade the chicken's respiratory
system, resulting in restricted air flow, inflammation, and increased fluid/mucous production.
The respiratory signs of chickens with air sac mites are often easily confused with other
diseases. There are several types of air sac mites which can infect chickens, these include:
Sternostoma tracheacolum: These mites typically invade the trachea, syrinx, lungs, and
air sacs of wild and captive birds. The Gouldian finch (Erythrura gouldiae) is especially
prone to invasion with S. tracheacolum, and severe infections occur commonly. The
female mite lays her eggs in the bird's lungs. Once the eggs hatch, the nymphs and sub-
adults feed off the blood rich pulmonary tissue. The life cycle can be completed within 6
days.
Cytodites nudus: These mites invade the airsacs, pneumatic bones, lungs and bronchi of
chickens, turkeys, pigeons, parakeets, pheasants and canaries.
Ptilonyssus spp: These mites tend to occupy the nasal passages of Passerine birds. They
are common in wild bird species such as house sparrows (70-40% infection rate).
Clinical Signs
Clinical signs of air sac mites are similar to those seen in any respiratory disease, which include
have breathing difficulty, exercise intolerance, coughing and sneezing. Depending on the
severity, infection can persist for months or lead to death by suffocation or weakness.

Diagnosis
There are several diagnostic procedures to aid in diagnosing the presence of air sac mites in
chickens. These include:
An oral swab or fecal sample may reveal the presence of the mites or mite eggs.

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11/9/21, 6:34 PM Air sac mites in Chickens

Radiographs may reveal generalized nonspecific radioopacity changes to the pulmonary

and air sac fields.
Tracheal transillumination - After moistening the bird's skin on their neck with alcohol, use
a bright light source to look for dark specks moving in the lumen of the trachea.
Tracheal endoscopy may be of benefit.
Treatment
Air sac mites can be treated with ivermectin or moxidectin, administered topically, orally, or
parenterally, once a week, and may require several months. In cases of heavy infestations, the
massive die-off of the mites can cause respiratory symptoms to worsen shortly after treatment,
prior to improving.
Clinical Signs
Change in vocalization or voice
Reduced or crowing changes in roosters
Clicking sounds
Coughing
Open-mouth breathing
Increased respiratory rate or effort
Tail bobbing
Head shaking
Frequent swallowing motions
Lethargy
Beak rubbing
Nasal discharge
Sneezing
Wheezing
Weakness
Loss of balance
Diarrhea
Weight loss
Moist breathing sounds ausculted
Diagnosis Treatment
Name Summary
Supportive Isolate the bird from the flock and place in a safe, comfortable, warm
care location (your own chicken "intensive care unit") with easy access to water
and food. Limit stress. Call your veterinarian.

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11/9/21, 6:34 PM Air sac mites in Chickens

Name Summary
Ivermectin or Administered at 0.2 mg/kg orally.
moxidectin
Environmental Completely clean out all bedding and nesting material from the coop.
management Thoroughly clean and disinfect nestboxes and roosting bars. Spray
insecticidal spray into any crevices or cracks present.

Support

(http://amzn.to/2Dm (https://amzn.to/2U (https://amzn.to/37 (https://amzn.to/2K

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Prevention
 ()Minimize exposure to wild birds (especially Gouldian finches and house sparrows).
 ()Minimize stress

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11/9/21, 6:34 PM Air sac mites in Chickens

 ()Quarantine new birds.

Scientific References
1Hinton. Case: Air sac mite infection, lung, gamebird
(https://www.askjpc.org/vspo/show_page.php?id=596) The Joint Pathology Center (2014)
2Guimarães, L. L. B., et al. Parasitism by the mite Sternostoma tracheacolum in the
respiratory system of a Belgian canary (Serinus canaria domestica)
(http://www.ufrgs.br/.../PUB%201094.pdf) Acta Scientiae Veterinariae 40.4 (2012)
3Knee, Wayne, and Heather Proctor. Host records for Ornithonyssus sylviarum
(Mesostigmata: Macronyssidae) from birds of North America (Canada, United States,
and Mexico). Journal of medical entomology 44.4 (2007)
4Proctor, Heather, and Ian Owens. Mites and birds: diversity, parasitism and coevolution
(https://doi.org/10.1016/S0169-5347(00)01924-8) Trends in ecology & evolution 15.9
(2000)
5Filippich, L. J. First aid in birds
(https://publications.rzsnsw.org.au/doi/pdf/10.7882/RZSNSW.1990.005) Hand SJ: Care
and Handling of Australian Native Animals, Surrey Beatty and Sons Chipping Norton Revise
(1997)
6Ayroud M, Dies KH. Cytodites nudus-induced granulomatous pneumonia in chickens
(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17424122) Canadian Veterinary Journal (1992)
7Tidemann, Sonia C., et al. Parasitism of wild Gouldian finches (Erythrura gouldiae) by
the air-sac mite Sternostoma tracheacolum (https://doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-
28.1.80) Journal of Wildlife Diseases 28.1 (1992)
8McOrist S.. Cytodites nudus infestation of chickens.
(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18766772) Avian Pathol. (1983)
9Riffkin, G. G., and I. P. McCausland. Respiratory acariasis caused by Sternostoma
tracheacolum in aviary finches. (https://doi.org/10.1080/00480169.1972.34026) New
Zealand veterinary journal 20.7 (1972)
10Kaliner G.. [Histopathological observations of hen lungs infested with air sac mites
(Cytodites nudus)]. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/5519293) Berl Munch Tierarztl
Wochenschr (1970)
11Fain, A., and K. E. Hyland. The mites parasitic in the lungs of birds. The variability of
Sternostoma tracheacolum Lawrence, 1948, in domestic and wild birds. Parasitology
52.3-4 (1962)

Risk Factors

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11/9/21, 6:34 PM Air sac mites in Chickens

Exposure to wild birds (especially finches and house sparrows)

Chickens with compromised immune systems or during molt (they are more susceptible
to invasion).

Also Consider

Airborne toxicity (/condition/airborne-toxins)

Aspergillosis (/condition/aspergillosis)
Gapeworm Infection (/condition/gapeworms)

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