Abstract:
Mature specimens of Rhinophaga papionis Fain, 1955 were observed exclusively in the maxillary
recesses of 29 of 31 chacma baboons (93,6%). They stimulated the formation of inflammatory polyps,
which in some cases almost completely filled the recesses. The polyps were composed of a myxomatous
core infiltrated with varying numbers of plasma cells and eosinophiles. Hyperplastic epithelium with
localized areas of stratified squamous metaplasia covered the polyps. R. elongata Coffee, van Aswegen,
McConnell & Basson, 1971 (elongated nasal mite) was found in 3 of 44 baboons (6,8%). This remarkably
long mite (5 to 6 mm) was located in the apex of small nodules which were randomly distributed throughout
the nasal cavity. The anterior third of the mite was deeply embedded in the mucosa and in some
cases even in the subjacent bone. These mites also tended to cause plugging of the mucosal glands which
became markedly dilated. It is probable that both mites have a direct life cycle, with spread by way of
immature forms.
