A Study on the Nature of Association between Demodex Mites and Bacteria Involved in Skin and Meibomian Gland Lesions of Demodectic Mange in Cattle

Table 1

Gross appearance of the five forms of skin lesions of demodectic mange in cattle.

Form of lesion	Gross appearance of lesions
Papules	Palpable papules, 1–3 mm in diameter, hard in consistency resembling sand grains, detected after running the hand over the shoulders, axillae, brisket, and neck and by rolling the loose skin in the axillae and brisket between the thumb and other fingers. When incised and squeezed, a small amount of white waxy material was expressed.
Nodules and papules	Visible nodules, 5–10 mm in diameter and 3-4 mm raised above the skin surface, and palpable papules. Nodules are in close association or scattered all over the body. Over some nodules small tufts of hair stood out from the general level of the hair coat. Nodules were firm in consistency and when squeezed a yellowish white material oozed in a single stream.
Nodules and few pustules	Visible nodules and few pustules. Pustules, 15–20 mm in diameter and 2-3 mm raised above the skin surface, majority devoid of hair, erythematous on unpigmented areas, less firm than nodules and when squeezed a yellowish white caseated or moist material tinged with blood oozed out in multiple streams.
Pustules and few nodules	Large indurated pustules and few nodules; pustules, 20–30 mm in diameter and 3-4 mm raised above the skin surface, devoid of hair, erythematous on unpigmented areas, fragile and when squeezed a yellowish white material tinged with blood oozed out in large amounts leaving tiny bleeding holes. The skin became thickened showing many wrinkles and folds.
Pustules and crust-covered lesions	Pustules, 20–40 mm in diameter and 2–4 mm raised above the skin surface, in close association, devoid of hair and covered with thin yellowish white crusts. Crust-covered lesions were typified by extensive patches covered with thin yellowish white or pale yellow crusts incorporated with tufts of matted hair. Crusts could easily be removed leaving tiny but visible holes in the skin. The skin became thickened showing many wrinkles and folds.