Nasal acariasis in the chacma baboon, Papio ursinus Kerr, 1972

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.