Role of plant phytochemicals/extracts for the control of Dermanyssus gallinae in poultry and its zoonotic importance.

Dermanyssus gallinae (poultry red mite) has negative impact on poultry production, causing major economic losses by damaging the health of chickens and other bird species, globally. D. gallinae also acts as vector and reservoir of different viral and bacterial pathogens such as, E. coli, S. enteriditis, P. multocida, S. gallinarum, Newcastle disease, Avian influenza, Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, Eastern, Western and Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis viruses. Some of them are important from zoonotic point of view like, S. enteritidis, Borrelia burgdorferi and avian influenza A virus. It also causes gamasoidosis in humans. For its control various acaricides have been used, but because of D. gallinae resistance against these chemicals, and environmental issues related to these acaricides have encouraged research into different alternatives. One of them are plant extracts and phytochemicals that play a major role by offering a promising option for permanent pest control because of their bioactive abilities. Important phytochemicals that are most effective against these mites are phenol, flavonoid, terpenoid, tannin, and phenylpropanoids. That give their effects by creating neurotoxicity, digestive and metabolic disruption, cuticle disruption, oxidative stress, cell membrane damage, respiratory inhibition, and hormonal disruption in these mites. This review explains the significance of various plant extracts, their phytochemicals and their methods of application against D. gallinae infestations in poultry. Different types of plant's active metabolites have acaricidal, repellent and growth inhibitory effects such as tannins, phenols, terpenoids, and flavonoids. The mode of action, effectiveness and toxicity of these extracts are also discussed. This review also discusses zoonotic importance of D. gallinae.