Demodex – PCR

dog: deep skin scraping;
cat: superficial skin scraping, (hairs)

realtime PCR (semi-quantitative)

1 - 3 days

• Demodex PCR is used to detect 3 species each in dogs (D. canis, D. injai, D. cornei) and cats (D. cati, D. gatoi, unnamed species). PCR for D. gatoi can also be requested separately as an individual test.
• cat: Because the density of infestation of D. gatoi is sometimes low, it is recommended to perform several superficial skin scrapings.
• Since Demodex mites belong to the normal skin fauna in dogs and only an excessive increase leads to demodicosis, a positive PCR result should always be interpreted in connection with clinical and epidemiological data. A negative PCR result cannot completely rule out an infection.
• If reduced immunocompetence or immunodeficiency is suspected, examination of the lymphocyte subpopulation by flow cytometry (see Immune Status) may be helpful.