Psorergatic acariasis in vervet monkeys.

7 cases of acariasis were discovered amongst a colony of vervet monkeys (Cercopithecus pygerythrus). Lesions were confined to palpebrae and periorbital areas. Skin scrapings and biopsies were taken and the parasite was identified as Psorergates cercopitheci. The skin biopsies showed that the parasite invaded the superficial epidermis only. Skin scrapings taken from other parts of the infested animals' bodies were all negative for mites. Several of the infested animals have had physical contact with conspecifics, the majority of which have remained uninfested. Topical treatment was effective and often eradicated the mite completely after only one treatment.