https://doi.org/10.52973/rcfcv-e361787 Revista Cientíﬁca, FCV-LUZ / Vol. XXXV Recibido: 05/09/2025 Aceptado: 06/01/2026 Publicado: 30/01/2026 1 of 6 Evert Steven Reyes-Cruz¹ * , Geovanna Daniela Enriquez-Villamaga² , Solange Doménica González-Baque² , Génesis Patricia León-Espinoza² , Mauricio Xavier Salas-Rueda³ Prevalence of Sarcoptes scabiei in domestic canines from Lomas de Sargentillo, Ecuador Prevalencia de Sarcoptes scabiei en caninos domésticos del cantón Lomas de Sargentillo, Ecuador ¹Universidad de Guayaquil, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Guayaquil, Ecuador. ² Independent researcher, Guayaquil, Ecuador. ³ Universidad Politécnica Salesiana, Carrera de Medicina Veterinaria, Cuenca, Ecuador. ⃰Corresponding author: evert.reyesc@ug.edu.ec ABSTRACT RESUMEN La sarna sarcóptica es una ectoparasitosis de distribución mundial que afecta a diversas especies de mamíferos, incluidos animales domésticos, silvestres y el ser humano, y tiene importancia en salud pública por su potencial zoonótico. El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo determinar la prevalencia de Sarcoptes scabiei en caninos domésticos bajo tenencia de un tutor en el cantón Lomas de Sargentillo, Ecuador. Se desarrolló un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal durante los meses de abril y mayo de 2025, con una muestra de 102 caninos seleccionados mediante muestreo aleatorio. Se realizaron raspados cutáneos profundos para el diagnóstico microscópico. La prevalencia encontrada fue del 3,9 %. Se exploró una asociación entre el sexo y la presencia del ácaro; sin embargo, no se observaron diferencias concluyentes en el riesgo de infección según el sexo o la edad. Estos resultados evidencian la circulación activa de Sarcoptes scabiei en la zona urbana del cantón Lomas de Sargentillo, lo que resalta la importancia de fortalecer las medidas de vigilancia epidemiológica, prevención y control, así como las estrategias de educación sanitaria dirigidas a los propietarios, con implicaciones relevantes para la salud pública y el control zoonótico. Sarcoptic mange is a globally distributed ectoparasitosis that affects a wide range of mammalian hosts, including domestic and wild animals, as well as humans, and represents a relevant zoonosis. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of Sarcoptes scabiei in domestic canines under the care of an owner in Lomas de Sargentillo, Ecuador. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted during April and May of 2025, using a sample of 102 randomly selected canines. Deep skin scrapings were performed for microscopic diagnosis. The observed prevalence was 3.9 %. An association between sex and the presence of the mite was explored; however, no conclusive differences in infection risk were observed according to sex or age. These ﬁndings demonstrate the active circulation of Sarcoptes scabiei in the urban area of Lomas de Sargentillo, highlighting the importance of strengthening epidemiological surveillance, prevention and control measures, as well as health education strategies directed at dog owners, with relevant implications for public health and zoonotic control. Palabras clave: Sarcoptes scabiei; sarna sarcóptica; ectoparasitosis; zoonosis. Key words: Sarcoptes scabiei ; sarcoptic mange; ectoparasitosis; zoonoses

2 of 6 Sarcoptes scabiei in domestic canines—Ecuador./Reyes-Cruz et al. INTRODUCTION Sarcoptic mange is a highly contagious cutaneous ectoparasitosis caused by Sarcoptes scabiei var. canis, a mite that burrows into the epidermis of domestic and wild animals, and even humans, generating significant clinical and zoonotic implications [1, 2, 3]. In dogs (Canis lupus familiaris), the condition is characterized by intense pruritus, erythema, crust formation, alopecia, and, in advanced cases, secondary bacterial infections, cachexia, and immunological alterations [4]. From a One Health perspective, scabies is formally recognized by the World Health Organization as a neglected tropical disease and contributes a substantial global burden of skin disease, especially in low- and middle-income settings [5, 6]. Population- level analyses show higher prevalence in many tropical regions, with a marked concentration in children and other vulnerable groups [7, 8]. Close human–dog contact in rural and peri-urban households (e.g., bed sharing, face licking) further elevates zoonotic risk behaviors and underscores the need for coordinated veterinary–public health messaging and control [9]. International Veterinary standards likewise emphasize surveillance, diagnosis, and control of mange in companion animals as part of broader public- and animal-health goals [2]. In Ecuador, the available information on human scabies is limited and is mainly based on clinical records, which may be subject to underreporting [10] . In the case of sarcoptic mange in non-human mammals, no systematic data or reports generated by the public sector have been identiﬁed, nor are there speciﬁc national surveillance or control programs. This scarcity of information highlights the importance of generating local epidemiological evidence in dogs, with implications for public health and zoonotic control. Clinical diagnosis is based on characteristic dermatological signs; however, conﬁrmation requires microscopic observation of mites, eggs, or feces in deep skin scrapings [11]. The sensitivity of this technique may be limited in chronic infections, justifying the complementary use of serological or molecular methods in certain contexts [12]. In Lomas de Sargentillo, a tropical region on Ecuador’s coast, environmental conditions combined with poor health control in the canine population could facilitate the spread of this parasitosis [13] . However, no previous studies have documented its prevalence in this geographic area, hindering the implementation of effective preventive and therapeutic strategies. Similar studies in other regions of Latin America have reported variable prevalence rates, associated with factors such as age, sex, nutritional status, and access to Veterinary services [14, 15, 16]. Therefore, generating local data on the presence of Sarcoptes scabiei is essential to guide future veterinary public health interventions [17]. MATERIALS AND METHODS A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between April and May 2025 to determine the prevalence of Sarcoptes scabiei in domestic canines from Lomas de Sargentillo, located in the province of Guayas, Ecuador. This region has a humid tropical climate, with an average temperature of 27°C and high relative humidity—conditions that favor the environmental persistence of ectoparasites [13]. For analytical purposes, dogs were classiﬁed into life stages according to chronological age categories [19] . Accordingly, animals aged 0 to 5 months were classified as puppies; those older than 6 months and up to 12 months were classified as juveniles; dogs older than 12 and up to 24 months as young adults; individuals older than 2 and up to 6 years as mature adults; dogs older than 7 and up to 11 years as senior; and animals 12 years of age or older as geriatric. The study population consisted of owned canines residing in the urban area of Lomas de Sargentillo. According to data from the 2022 National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (INEC) [20], a total of 3,014 dogs were registered in this area. A random sampling approach was applied, considering each canine as the sampling unit. The sample size was calculated using the formula for proportions in a known population [21], based on an expected prevalence of 5.03% [14] , a 95% confidence level, and an accepted absolute error of 4%. Based on these parameters, a sample size of 110 domestic canines was determined. However, due to security restrictions in some predefined urban sectors, access to certain households was not possible during fieldwork. Consequently, the final number of evaluated canines was reduced to 102. To minimize potential selection bias, a replacement strategy was implemented by selecting alternative eligible households within the accessible areas, allowing the ﬁnal sample size to approach the initially estimated target. Domestic canines of both sexes, older than two months of age, residing in the urban area of Lomas de Sargentillo, whose owners provided informed consent were included. Samples were obtained from dogs that presented and did not present dermatological lesions. Animals without an identified owner, Population and sample Inclusion and exclusion criteria Despite international recognition, surveillance and mapping remain patchy, and scabies is under-diagnosed in many health systems [5]. On the veterinary side, current guidelines still list deep skin scraping with mite demonstration as the diagnostic mainstay, yet its sensitivity may be suboptimal; thus, rigorous site-speciﬁc epidemiology in dogs and owner-focused education remain essential to guide pragmatic prevention and control where human–animal contact is intense [2, 18]. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of Sarcoptes scabiei in domestic canines from Lomas de Sargentillo.

3 of 6 Revista Cientíﬁca, FCV-LUZ / Vol. XXXV RESULTS AND DISCUSSION As part of a field-based study conducted in the urban area of Lomas de Sargentillo, Ecuador, sample collection was carried out at the owners’ households. Samples were obtained from dogs with and without dermatological lesions. Each animal underwent a deep skin scraping; when dermatological lesions compatible with sarcoptic mange were observed, scrapings were preferentially collected from affected areas (auricular pinnae, elbows, abdomen, or inguinal region) [22], using a sterile scalpel blade and mineral oil. The samples were mounted on microscope slides with coverslips and examined under light microscopy (Better Scientiﬁc Q200, Germany; AmScope B120C, China) at 10× and 40× magnification [23]. Deep skin scraping was employed as the diagnostic method because it is a standard, direct, and minimally invasive technique recommended for the detection of Sarcoptes scabiei in dogs, through the microscopic identiﬁcation of adult mites, larvae, nymphs, or eggs, according to the morphological criteria described by Bowman [1] and the WOAH [2], particularly in field-based epidemiological studies. Methods such as skin biopsy or molecular and immunological techniques (Polymerase Chain Reaction, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) are mainly used in complex clinical cases, differential diagnoses, or for advanced diagnostic confirmation and were therefore not considered necessary for the objectives of the present study. A total of 102 domestic canines were evaluated for the detection of Sarcoptes scabiei . Of these, 4 animals tested positive, representing a prevalence of 3.9 %. The remaining 98 individuals (96.1 %) tested negative for the parasite (TABLE I). These results reflect the presence of cases within the canine population evaluated during the study period. Positive cases were distributed across specific locations, with no evident spatial clustering or concentration in a defined area. The location of infected animals does not suggest a deﬁned geospatial pattern, which may indicate sporadic or low-intensity transmission (FIG. 1). Regarding the sex variable, four positive cases were identiﬁed in males (10.3 %), while no positive cases were observed in females (0 %). Although the likelihood ratio test yielded a P value of 0.047, the odds ratio showed wide conﬁdence intervals. Risk analysis using the odds ratio (OR), adjusted with Haldane’s correction, showed wide conﬁdence intervals including the null value (OR = 0.167; 95 % CI: 0.009–3.05), indicating that no conclusive differences in infection risk between sexes could be established (TABLE II). Data were recorded in Microsoft Excel® 2016 and processed using IBM SPSS® version 25. Descriptive statistics were applied to estimate overall prevalence. Associations between categorical variables (sex, age, and life stage) and the presence of the ectoparasite were evaluated using Pearson’s chi-square test or the likelihood ratio test, as appropriate, to explore potential associations. Additionally, a spatial distribution map of the sampled animals was generated using QGIS version 3.40.6, based on the georeferencing of locations reported during the survey and sample collection. All procedures were conducted in accordance with the current ethical and legal standards in Ecuador for research involving animals, and informed consent was obtained from all dog owners prior to participation. Although certain diagnostic procedures may require invasive approaches under specific clinical circumstances, in the present field-based prevalence study only minimally invasive procedures were performed, as the diagnostic approach was limited to deep skin scraping, which does not compromise animal welfare. No procedures causing unnecessary pain or suffering were carried out during the study. Sample collection Statistical analysis Ethical considerations from other geographical areas, younger than two months of age, or those that had received antiparasitic treatment within 30 days prior to sampling were excluded. FIGURE 1. Geospatial distribution of sampled domestic dogs in the urban area of Lomas de Sargentillo, Ecuador, showing positive (red dots) and negative (yellow dots) cases of Sarcoptes scabiei conﬁrmed by light microscopy.

4 of 6 Sarcoptes scabiei in domestic canines—Ecuador./Reyes-Cruz et al. Regarding life stage, positive cases of Sarcoptes scabiei were observed among juvenile (7.1 %), mature adult (2.9 %), and senior dogs (5.9 %). No statistically signiﬁcant differences were found between life stages (Pearson’s chi-square test = 2.119; P = 0.832), suggesting a homogeneous distribution of the parasite in relation to age (TABLE III). The prevalence of Sarcoptes scabiei found in this study was 3.9 %, a proportion consistent with various global studies. In China, Chen et al. [24] reported a prevalence of 5.26 % in domestic canines. In Nigeria, Omonijo and Sowemimo [25] identified 7 % prevalence, and in Egypt, Zineldar et al . [26] reported 6 %. These studies highlighted that poor hygiene and rural environments could increase exposure to the parasite [27]. Regionally, Martins-da Silva et al. [28] in Brazil recorded a 2.54 % prevalence of Sarcoptes scabiei in domestic canines. These data are comparable to the ﬁndings of the present study, suggesting a stable presence of the parasite in tropical and rural settings. In Ecuador, circulation has also been documented: Jara [15] in Machala reported a prevalence of 5.03%, Murillo- Álava [16] in Baba reported 10 %, and Alburqueque-Mañay [29] in Ventanas reported 6 %, although in the latter case, the studied population consisted exclusively of canines showing dermatological symptoms, which may have led to an overestimation of the prevalence. Although no statistically significant differences were found between life stages in this study, positive cases were observed among juvenile, mature adult, and senior dogs. This aligns with previous observations suggesting greater immunological susceptibility in animals at early or advanced stages of life [30, 31]. However, larger sample sizes are needed to confirm this trend. A relevant limitation of this study was the low number of positive cases, which reduced the statistical power to establish robust associations between risk variables. This outcome may also be related to sociocultural factors, such as reluctance or limited willingness among some pet owners to allow their animals to participate in clinical studies. This situation may reflect a limited familiarity with veterinary research in certain sectors of the community. Additionally, ﬁeldwork was conducted at the household level as part of this ﬁeld-based study. However, access to certain neighborhoods within some of the predeﬁned sampling areas was restricted due to security concerns, which limited on-site visits to specific sectors. As a result, the sample size was slightly reduced. To address this limitation, a replacement strategy was implemented by selecting alternative eligible households within accessible areas, allowing the final number of samples to approach the initially estimated target. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of Sarcoptes scabiei in domestic canines from Lomas de Sargentillo was 3.9 %, indicating active circulation of the ectoparasite in this urban coastal region of Ecuador. This ﬁnding is particularly relevant to public health due to the zoonotic potential of the mite, which can be transmitted to humans, especially in communities with close contact between people and animals. Statistical analysis suggested a possible association between sex and parasite presence; however, given the low number of positive cases, this finding should be interpreted with caution and considered exploratory rather than conclusive. No relevant differences were found by age. These results underscore the importance of implementing epidemiological surveillance, early diagnosis, and control strategies in vulnerable canine populations. In this context, strengthening health education programs for pet owners should be considered a key preventive action, with emphasis on early recognition of clinical signs, timely veterinary diagnosis, and the adoption of preventive practices aimed at reducing transmission and controlling sarcoptic mange as a zoonosis of public health importance. Despite the limited number of positive cases, the data gathered provide a valuable foundation for future research on risk factors, management practices, and zoonotic implications. The authors thank the Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia at the Universidad de Guayaquil for academic support and for providing the necessary resources for the execution of this study. Special thanks are extended to BorborVet Veterinary Clinic for their collaboration in the use of laboratory equipment, which was essential for carrying out the parasitological analyses. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT All authors actively contributed to the development of the study. E.S.R. was responsible for the project design, statistical analysis, and manuscript writing. D.E.E., S.D.G., and G.P.L. Author contributions

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