Can You Get Scabies From Rats?
WouterThe developmental life cycle of the scabies mite is relatively short compared to other astigmatid mites. The mite passes through the egg, larva, protonymph, tritonymph, and adult stages in 12 to 17 days. Female mites lay forty to fifty eggs in their lifetimes.
Although rats, mice, and other rodents are not known to transmit scabies to humans, they are often infested with mites that can transmit the disease from one animal to another. In addition to mites that live in the skin, scabies mites can also be transmitted by rodents’ body fluids. Rat combs are likely to harbor mites, so if you come in contact with the combs, you may be at risk for the disease.
The most common method for transferring the disease is by contact with an infected animal. Sarcoptes scabiei mites live in the skin and can be contacted through direct contact with contaminated surfaces. Infections can also be spread through shared bedding or furniture. Infection can also occur in barns and nursing homes.
When diagnosing scabies, it is important to look for the presence of IgM, a type of protein produced early in the humoral response. Ideally, you should detect serum antibodies to a single antigen or a specific profile of antigens. In some cases, a combination of both types of antibodies may be necessary to diagnose the disease.
